Coyote Caliber Considerations
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BigN
Member
I shoot coyotes with everything from a 17 to a 7 mag, just depends on what's in my hands at the time. I'm not sure what you get for them in NYS, but I don't bother. I have a guy that gives me $20 each for the coyote and I don't even skin it. Just truck the bodies on over to his garage and unload them. Some have huge exit holes and some have none. Makes no diff to me. I figure hey, it's $20 I didn't have when I left home in the morning and all I do is pull the trigger. No fuss, no muss...
redbullitt
Member
I went with the handloads option (assuming the first was off the shelf fmj). I have never kept a coyote pelt... Just kinda dropped them for pest control. Pretty much all my coyote killing has been with sierra matchkings out of my 308. I just use my target load since I am very confident with it. Kills them pretty well.
That said, the 223 will do a number on them too.
Were I specifically hunting them, and not grabbing what is close or on hand lol, I would go for a 223, or maybe a 243.
That said, the 223 will do a number on them too.
Were I specifically hunting them, and not grabbing what is close or on hand lol, I would go for a 223, or maybe a 243.
Through my brother in law I have acess to a lot of ranch land in central AZ. Coyotes and feral dog are a problem there. When we hunt varmint he calls and uses a 270 out beyond 100 yds, inside 100yds I get to use a Winchester trapper chambered in 357 mag. Either way not much skin left in good condition. Prime coyote pelt is used to line parka hoods because it does not tend to freeze. I still have one I sent home from the Army in 1968.
blindhari
If I wanted the fur, I'd trap.
blindhari
If I wanted the fur, I'd trap.
bobbo
Member.
My .222 Rem is pretty much the standard in my area, and has been for six decades. If you can't find a cheap used one (Remington 788 or Savage 340), then go with .223. Just as effective on a dog-sized animal, and uses less powder, offers better twist rates, more readily available components and loaded ammo, and less of a barrel burner than a .22-250. More bullets, brass and guns are available in .223 than .204, and all will be cheaper in .223, as well. A .222 is probably more accurate and takes slightly less powder (cheaper for reloading), but .223 will be far cheaper to feed if you use factory ammo. 223 is everywhere.
If on a budget, I'd go with a $250 Handi-Rifle in .223, one of the $70 4-12x Tasco scopes my local Wal-Mart sells and some Remington UMC soft points at $10-15 a box. The coyote won't notice the difference between that and some fancy heavy-barreled AR at 200 yards or so.
If you get bored with .223, you can always have the gun rebarreled at the factory to something else (and keep .223, too). It's like $100 a barrel or something like that, with plenty of calibers available.
If on a budget, I'd go with a $250 Handi-Rifle in .223, one of the $70 4-12x Tasco scopes my local Wal-Mart sells and some Remington UMC soft points at $10-15 a box. The coyote won't notice the difference between that and some fancy heavy-barreled AR at 200 yards or so.
If you get bored with .223, you can always have the gun rebarreled at the factory to something else (and keep .223, too). It's like $100 a barrel or something like that, with plenty of calibers available.
49willys
Member
22-250 is hard to beat for varmints.
WardenWolf
member
It depends on how much you're going to shoot it and at what. A lot of these dedicated varmint calibers have a reputation for wearing out barrels prematurely. The .223 is also a more versatile cartridge.
Bolt Actionaction
Member
I always found smooshing them with a 12 gauge when I find them trapped in my chicken coop enjoyable, kill um' with anything you got...
usmc1371
Member
I have shot them with all kinds of rounds from 22 up to 375 and I like my .204 if they are not real far away. (inside 200 or so) For all around coyote shooting I think my personal fav is the 25-06, it just stops them in their tracks as far out as I can hit them.
The .204 is great in close-ish where the 32 grain hornaday bullets don't exit and just blow up inside. I have whacked a couple past 350 yds and had them keep running longer than I like. Once the tiny bullet slows down some it just don't do much damage.
The 375 HnH with 260 g acubonds is the really fun but don't bother picking up the dog if you want the hide, there will be extensive pelt damage. On the plus side you won't have to look far to find the dog.
The .204 is great in close-ish where the 32 grain hornaday bullets don't exit and just blow up inside. I have whacked a couple past 350 yds and had them keep running longer than I like. Once the tiny bullet slows down some it just don't do much damage.
The 375 HnH with 260 g acubonds is the really fun but don't bother picking up the dog if you want the hide, there will be extensive pelt damage. On the plus side you won't have to look far to find the dog.
Cob
Member
i always use my trusty .270, with 130 grain bullets... Whenever i go hunting, coyote are "secondary" targets which i shoot while hunting my "primary" choice.
I have a .223, but still use the .270 just because i like hunting with it better
I have a .223, but still use the .270 just because i like hunting with it better
"Im just a dumb old country boy down south but around here coyote pelts are useless anyway. They are devistating the deer and turkey around here and I would use a scud missile on one if I had it."
THANKS! that's the best laugh i have had in a week.
as for coyote hunting, before you go counting your coyotes, 1) make certain when it is legat to shoot them. in my state, there is a season. 2) make sure of the pelt prices. if they are not paying much for them, is it really worth your time and effort of skinning it (let alone paying for a new rifle). 3) if there is no reason to save the hide, use anything you have on hand, that you are good with. 30-06, 223, 22lr (short range only) or the scud missle will all do the trick. now, if we could get them to eat young little piggies, then they would be worthwhile keeping around.
THANKS! that's the best laugh i have had in a week.
as for coyote hunting, before you go counting your coyotes, 1) make certain when it is legat to shoot them. in my state, there is a season. 2) make sure of the pelt prices. if they are not paying much for them, is it really worth your time and effort of skinning it (let alone paying for a new rifle). 3) if there is no reason to save the hide, use anything you have on hand, that you are good with. 30-06, 223, 22lr (short range only) or the scud missle will all do the trick. now, if we could get them to eat young little piggies, then they would be worthwhile keeping around.
kingcheese
Member
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my squirell gun would be a good choice, its a 10/22 with a 4-16x30 scope made by berska
small, hole, accurate enough, and quiet enough
if i took it out after coyote i could probable bag 4-5 in an hour with no problems, rifle is accarate to about 75-80 yards right now, but that good enough for me,
small, hole, accurate enough, and quiet enough
if i took it out after coyote i could probable bag 4-5 in an hour with no problems, rifle is accarate to about 75-80 yards right now, but that good enough for me,
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I would rethink that right there.
Either caliber with FMJ or solids will shoot through a coyote, the bullet will hit the ground, and ricochet 1/2 mile to kill farmer Browns prize bull in the next county.
Meanwhile, if you don't break the spine or make a head shot?
The coyote will run off and die somewhere else where you very likely will not recover it.
The same result can be expected with a .22 RF, as they will not anchor a coyote DRT most of the time.
Varmint hunting requires high velocity varmint bullets that fragment on impact with the target, or the ground.
Not only to insure clean instant kills.
But to avoid a series of unfortunate events involving big bullet ricochets.
rc
northwoods99
Member
If you are looking for a off the shelf coyote gun the .243 is the way to go. It is has a bunch of over the counter bullet options and even more if you reload.
If your are up for something a little different I use a Savage Model 14 classic in .250 Savage. Not as many over the counter options but reloading has many option.
If your are up for something a little different I use a Savage Model 14 classic in .250 Savage. Not as many over the counter options but reloading has many option.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I killed my first coyote in 1957 or 58.
Through the years, I and my hunting pardners have used .22 RF, .22 Mag, .17 Rem, .204 Ruger, .218 Bee, .222 Rem, .223, 22-250, .220 Swift, .243, 6mm, 264 Win, 25-06, 30 Carbine, 30-30, 308, 30-06, .300 Mag, and 357 & .44 Mag handguns.
I'm here to tell you nothing works any better for instant one-shot kills at long range then the 22-250 or 220 Swift.
Either one kills coyotes and anchors them on the spot like they had been hit by lightening.
The 243/6mm's run a very close second.
IMO: Too much power is just as bad as not enough.
I have had both the 25-06 and 30-06 blow a front leg clear off, and then had the coyote run 1/2 mile on three legs and die in the brush where it could not be found.
rc
Through the years, I and my hunting pardners have used .22 RF, .22 Mag, .17 Rem, .204 Ruger, .218 Bee, .222 Rem, .223, 22-250, .220 Swift, .243, 6mm, 264 Win, 25-06, 30 Carbine, 30-30, 308, 30-06, .300 Mag, and 357 & .44 Mag handguns.
I'm here to tell you nothing works any better for instant one-shot kills at long range then the 22-250 or 220 Swift.
Either one kills coyotes and anchors them on the spot like they had been hit by lightening.
The 243/6mm's run a very close second.
IMO: Too much power is just as bad as not enough.
I have had both the 25-06 and 30-06 blow a front leg clear off, and then had the coyote run 1/2 mile on three legs and die in the brush where it could not be found.
rc
hogcaller
Member
22-250 is the king of the coyote guns!
Supertac45
Member
I've used .300 Weatherby Mag on them. Usually a .223 or .22-250; but, I'm just out to kill them, so I don't care about the pelt thus .300 and some other rounds. Do you want the hides is the first thing you need to decide in order to pick the right round.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
If you're not saving the hide, any old gun will do. If you want to minimize damage to the hide, the deal is for a bullet which is very unlikely to exit.
Some of the serious varmint hunters (Sorry, but I've lost the URL of the website; frequented by the serious.) swear by something like a 40-grain bullet in a centerfire .22. The bullet blows up inside and doesn't exit.
I worked a bit with one pro who called and used a .22 rimfire magnum. Odds are that a .17HRM would work in the same manner.
Some of the serious varmint hunters (Sorry, but I've lost the URL of the website; frequented by the serious.) swear by something like a 40-grain bullet in a centerfire .22. The bullet blows up inside and doesn't exit.
I worked a bit with one pro who called and used a .22 rimfire magnum. Odds are that a .17HRM would work in the same manner.
C2C
Member
I'm new to this forum and really enjoy the repiles in this thread .. I started out with my 270 and when hides were worth something 10 years ago I switched to the 22-250 .. Great for limited damage .Call alot in my area and now I've gone to a 300 Win Mag in late season to reach those " long distance dogs " that hang up out of range of the 22-250, good practice ,too ..
hogcaller
Member
C2C
Member
LOL.. Ya I know a 22-250 will reach out and touch em a long ways off, but the energy needed to keep em down just isn't there .. Besides I have to justify my new purchase with my wife some how !! As for long distance I'm talking 500 +..
Shamus MacD
Member
yeah i live in maine. i plan on just using the 7.62x39 this year.
Tomcat47
Member
I did not actually vote! Here is why....
I say any of the listed are good choices!
And the last choice is perfect if you are needing a excuse to buy another rifle!
Coyotes are not immune to anything from a .22 to a Scud Missle!
I Like:
17 HMR
22 LR (Prefer Stinger)
22 Magnum
22 Hornet
223
22-250 (was good one listed above)
25-06 (One of my favorite-less discussed calibers?)
The Regulars:
30-30
30-06
.357 Lever
.44 Lever
Now the one I usually grab:
Marlin 336 and a box of Remington Accelerators!
(Coyote - Dead Right There!) 3400 fps 55gr
I also keep the Accelerators for my 30-06
And the 25-06 is an awesome varmint rifle that does not seem to bring much attention on the forum? But I love this round myself!
Personally I keep a stock of accelerators....they are seasonal at most online stores like Midway and the 30-30 is a little harder to find, however if you reload they are readily available in bulk for the reloader and this is some fun reloading.
Keep in mind that Remington used special primers for the lever applications!
It is always handy since I usually carry my 30-30 (which would do the job) but just grab an accelerator and it becomes a handy varmint rifle!
Also like Federal Power Shok 125gr. Hollow Point in 30-30 for varmint type outings, However I have taken deer at over 100 yards with impressive results! I would probably not hesitate 200 yard shot. They are fast and hard hitting to say the least. (dont expect to save a coyote pelt with this round though!)
I say any of the listed are good choices!
And the last choice is perfect if you are needing a excuse to buy another rifle!
Coyotes are not immune to anything from a .22 to a Scud Missle!
I Like:
17 HMR
22 LR (Prefer Stinger)
22 Magnum
22 Hornet
223
22-250 (was good one listed above)
25-06 (One of my favorite-less discussed calibers?)
The Regulars:
30-30
30-06
.357 Lever
.44 Lever
Now the one I usually grab:
Marlin 336 and a box of Remington Accelerators!
(Coyote - Dead Right There!) 3400 fps 55gr
I also keep the Accelerators for my 30-06
And the 25-06 is an awesome varmint rifle that does not seem to bring much attention on the forum? But I love this round myself!
Personally I keep a stock of accelerators....they are seasonal at most online stores like Midway and the 30-30 is a little harder to find, however if you reload they are readily available in bulk for the reloader and this is some fun reloading.
Keep in mind that Remington used special primers for the lever applications!
It is always handy since I usually carry my 30-30 (which would do the job) but just grab an accelerator and it becomes a handy varmint rifle!
Also like Federal Power Shok 125gr. Hollow Point in 30-30 for varmint type outings, However I have taken deer at over 100 yards with impressive results! I would probably not hesitate 200 yard shot. They are fast and hard hitting to say the least. (dont expect to save a coyote pelt with this round though!)
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