Coyote hunting round thoughts

[BigShep85]

Ok, I was at Dunhams today killing time and thinking about my next coyote round.
I have been seriously looking into a 22-250 for coyote hunting locally
BUT
I got to looking at some 308's and they don't cost that much more than the 22-250 and neither does the 308 rifle. So my question is why not just get a 308 to hunt coyote's with?
Range is further and I could use the gun to hunt other game
. There would be no worries about the shot not killing the dog because it would probably explode. I don't mind that because I don't keep the coats or sell them.
What are the thoughts on these two rounds and rifles for hunting coyotes or anything else?
Thanks again guys

 

[yzguy87]

Just a disclaimer: I have no experience hunting coyote but I believe that since you're not going to keep the hide I would say there are no disadvantages to the 308 Win. It would certainly give you more versatility with the same caliber when hunting larger game too.

 

[Savage99]

Use your deer rifle for coyotes. In the off season there also may be shots at woodchucks. For that shooting a smaller, faster bullet less likely to ricochet has been suggested.

I got my last few coyotes with the 243 because I was varmint hunting with it.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I use a .17 Rem, but I keep the pelts. If you're not concerned with pelt damage, use whatever you want. .308 will certainly do the trick, as will pretty much any other centerfire cartridge. Heck, a lot of guys use .22 mag, prefer to call them in close and use a low noise round so other pasture poodles in the vicinity don't run to the next county after they break the shot.

 

[BigBore44]

BigShep,
I have 2 personal coyote guns. One is a 243 Remington. The other is a SA M1A. I think your question depends on what the conditions are where you are planning to hunt. If its windy where you live, doping the wind becomes less of an issue with the 308 than the 22-250. Both are devistating on yotes. However, the 22-250 is going to cost more to shoot than the 308 using factory loads. The 22-250 with BT's will shred a yotes insides. A 308 with BT's will dang near turn them inside out with a chest shot.

 

[jmr40]

It would depend on what other deer rifles you already own. If you already owned something in the 308 or larger range I'd say get a 223 or 243. Either would be just as effective on coyote, and with heavier bullets would do dual purpose as a light deer hunting rifle, especially a 243. With heavier bullets it is as effective as it gets on deer, and still a viable option on game as large as elk.

Of course, if you just want a 308 it will work. It will cost more to shoot it, and recoil will be a little more, but varmit bullets are available and with the right bullets will cause no more damage than one of the 22 centerfires.

 

[wgaynor]

It'll work. shot one with a M91/30 once. Blew right through it.

 

[rcjackrabbit]

I hunt coyote with a 30-06 all the time. I don't get any runners.

 

[jehu]

243!:banghead:

 

[jim243]

Sounds like you just want to buy a new gun, which is OK. Also, sounds like it is your first rifle? The 308 would be more practical for hunting larger game, but it's recoil would be greater than that of the 22-250.

You may want to look at rifles in the 6 mm range like the 243 Win or 6 mmbr. Depending on what you are going to do with the rifle the most (target, hunting, SD or whatever) will determine what you should get. If basically small game and target then a 223 or 22-250 will work well, if larger game then start looking at the 243 or larger caliber like the 308.

Only you can tell us what would be best for your purposes.
Jim

 

[witchhunter]

Fur prices are up, so you might reconsider saving the hides. The .22/250 will be easier to hit with at longer and running shots as it is so much faster and flatter shooting. Out here in the west the .22/250 is the standard. If you are looking for a dual purpose coyote and deer, you might look at a .243.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

.22-250 is my favorite, but I go with my flavor of the day, maybe a rifle I aint shot in a while. I check cattle on 3 pastures, all 3 are infested with coyotes and hogs, I use anything from a .17 hmr or .22 mag to a .308 and anything in between. the .22-250 is just so fun.

 

[greenlion]

I'd go with the 243 Win or 22-250. The 308 Win will get you nothing but increased recoil and loss of sight picture, and its overkill for coyote. If you were thinking you might also use it for deer, the 243 win or 260 Remington would be good choices.

 

[dvdcrr]

22-284 win.

 

[JRWhit]

If your not keeping anything. Get an AR in 223. Good varmint round and," check your state law", legal for dear. At least where I live. Lots of cheap surplus to be had. At least when there isn't a panic going on.

 

[Grumulkin]

Ok, I was at Dunhams today killing time and thinking about my next coyote round.
I have been seriously looking into a 22-250 for coyote hunting locally
BUT
I got to looking at some 308's and they don't cost that much more than the 22-250 and neither does the 308 rifle. So my question is why not just get a 308 to hunt coyote's with?
Range is further and I could use the gun to hunt other game
. There would be no worries about the shot not killing the dog because it would probably explode. I don't mind that because I don't keep the coats or sell them.
What are the thoughts on these two rounds and rifles for hunting coyotes or anything else?
Thanks again guys

I've shot coyotes with a 204 Ruger, a 22-250 Remington, a 243 Winchester and a 308 Winchester. The are all very effective. The 243 Winchester at a bit over 300 yards made the biggest hole.

I see nothing wrong about using the 308 Winchester for coyote but whether or not it will make the coyote "explode" depends more on velocity and bullet construction than on bore diameter. If you hit a coyote in the right place with any of the above cartdriges, it will put it down.

By the way, the coyote I shot with the 22-250 ran about 250 yards after the shot. From where the bullets wound was, I believe it was a heart shot.

 

[gdcpony]

Up until last year, rifles and hunting were a predator/varmint thing only. So I revolved around the cartridges that anchored 'yotes.

My personal favorite is the .223. You can shoot allot of them without any strain on budget or shoulder. I reload so it is currently cheaper to shoot these than .22 rounds. The 50gr V-Max over Varget or H-335 will put them down out of any of my family's rifles out to 300-350yds.

Next up for me might not be a choice for you. I would sub in a .243, but I love my .257Roberts. The ammo is hard to find factory, but it is a reloader's dream. I am building an AR in it. If you have an urge for a nostalgic outfit, find one of these and you won't find much better for versatility.

As I mentioned, just sub a .243Win in there and you can throw 70-75gr pills out farther than a 22-250 with better results. I used one for years and was able to get 4200fps out of 55gr pills and 3500 out of 70gr pills. Don't expect pelts without holes though.

The largest I ever used would be comparable to a 7-08, .260Rem. Again sub those cartridges in place of another oldie the 7x57. Any game in the US would likely fall to these, and they can be loaded with lighter bullets for varmints to decent velocities (modern loads for the oldie in place of factory ammo). Be advised though that big game bullets/loads could easily pass through a 'yote without expanding and leave you with a tracking job to do.

Using a deer rifle is just fine. All it has to do is be able to hit the mark. Just make sure you pick a good load.

 

[BigShep85]

Great advice here

Thanks guys for all the replies, there is some very good advice here. I believe I am going to try out the 6mm thanks to a forum memeber here.
I am new to coyote hunting, they are year around here and my free time is random so I am going to give it a try.

 

[788Ham]

BigBore,

The BT doesn't really have much to do with shredding their insides, its the bullet tip that does that. Say a BTHP, now that'll shred their insides more than the BT base of it.

 

[Davek1977]

Other than increased muzzle blast and recoil, I see nothing gained by choosing the .308 for this purpose. I also tend to disagree that factory ammo will be cheaper in .308. While not a drastic difference, I usually see 22-250 a couple bucks a box cheaper than .308 locally

 

[Art Eatman]

I've tagged a couple of dozen bucks with my .243. I load the Sierra 85-grain HPBT. Picky about only taking neck shot shots or cross-body heart/lung shots. No angling shots needing deeper penetration, with that "blow-up" bullet.

Being among the world's laziest handloaders, I use the same load for coyotes. Ruinacious.

Maybe the folks at Federal were reading my mail, but they began loading that bullet. Good job; it groups as tight as my handloads. Always sub-MOA.

 

[frankenstein406]

6mm rem

 

[BigShep85]

6mm it is!

Got a 6mm on the way!
But very good info on coyote rounds being posted here
Never shot a 6mm but I will soon!

 

[Geno]

Awesome cartridge! I had an M700HB back in about 1986. It was extremely accurate. The rifle's favorite load was a 95 grain Nosler Partitian, over IMR 4064.

What make and model rifle did you purchase?

Geno

 

[223man]

6mm Rem or 243..
Coyotes put on quite a show when shot through the heart. One ran 50 yd., feet went out from under him. Jumped in the air twice and stayed there. The other went twice in a circle of about 6ft radius and DRT.