Best coyote gun

[Trapperchris]

Hi all you coyote hunters,
I want to start coyote hunting but I don't have the right gun. I have a 22mag but it does not have a long enough range. Then I took my 243 out but that puts too big of a hole in a coyote hide. I would like to know what is the best rifle that will knock coyotes down at 200-300 yards and not rip the pelt up. Also I would like to know what are the best shells in what gun.
Thanks

[Big Lou]

I'm very partial to the .204 Ruger. Shooting 40gr V-Max's it is a vermin slaying machine. Sounds like you're wanting pelts. Very friendly that way. Don't get me wrong, it will still rip up a few here and there but on the whole you'll have minimal pelt damage. I'm shooting it in a Weatherby Vanguard Varmint Sub MOA topped with a Leupold VXL 6.5-20x56 Varmint Extreme. It's a bit much scope for coyotes but if you're doing double duty with gophers and such it is nice. My 2 cents, if you were to go with a Vanguard get the trigger done right right away. Mine has a Timney breaking at 2 1/8lbs and I love it. This is for a Series 1, haven't shot an S2 but the trigger is supposed to be much better than previous.

[Smokinyotes]

204's and 223's are great and don't make to big a holes but I really like the way the 22-250 or 243 flatten coyotes. I use 50 grain vmax in my 22-250 and they work great. Sometimes you can't even find the hole and other times you can see inside and out the other, depends where you hit them.

[stvnbrg]

i have never owned or even shot a .204, however i have heard of a number of guys that shoot it at coyotes and love for the pelt saving ability. Vangaurd series 2 does have a pretty nice trigger.

[Cooeylover]

I just bought a Remington 700 with the X-trigger in 223and i like it. Topped it with a 4-16x40 BSA illuminated mil dot scope and leopold rings and bases. I would have liked to have a better scope on it, but with not much work in my field this winter i had to get my scope on a budget, which i may regret later, but for now i really like it.
I was running Sellier & Bellot FMJ in 5.56mm but it was causing my gun to jam and i wasent grouping well at all, but thats milsurp ammo for ya. switched to Hornady V-max in 40gr and it shoots flawlessly nearly hole for hole at 100yds. i can definatly cover the groupings with a dime. actually the best shooting rifle i have, and i have brownings and savages among others.
Personally i like the option of buying a wack of cheap ammo for the range, then im use to my trigger and handling of the gun, but when im seriously hunting i switch to the Hornadys.
223 dont shoot as flat as a 22-250 or 243, but i like it.
Gun -$606 tax inc
Mounts and rings - approx $70
Got the scope on a fire sale - $80
the savages are cheaper, and they shoot good, but i really dont like the idea of a plastic magazine. when i buy a gun, its an instant family heirloom, and plastic dont hold up like metal when youre talking family heirlooms.
The Weatherby Vanguard 2 has an amazing double stage trigger, but my biggest dislike about it is the stamp on the barrel that states, "MADE IN JAPAN", where my Remington is made in New York state. Thats a huge factor for me. Anything else i looked at had way to much plastic for me.
if you can save up and get whatever you want, cause you will have it for a very long time.
Happy hunting, hope you have better luck this year then i have had lol.

[Sealclubber]

22, hockey stick, slingshot, 458 win who cares as long as it kills em.

[Trapperchris]

Thanks for all the advice it really helps. It sounds like a 223 or 204 would be the best choice of gun. I shot a fox yesterday morning around 200 yards with the 243 and it had a hole the size of a soft ball. I was using 80 grain shell and I was surprised that it did not rip the fox in two.

[H380]

I agree with Smokinyoties , I shoot a 22-250 and will sacrifice the odd hole in the hide for a little extra smackdown . No bullet is great in the wind but a 50 + gr won't drift quite as bad as the Qtips that guys are shooting out of the smaller guns . Love my Tikka T3 .

[Smokinyotes]

Mine is also stainless T3. Wouldn't own anything else. Put zeiss 4.5-14x40 on it and it works awsum. 300 yard zero and you just hold right on them out to 350.

[whitetail Junkie]

50 bmg....

[Jeremy403]

Get the 204 with 40 gr Vmax

[.300ultramag]

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/venture_predator.php

take your pic, green or white camo

[dumoulin]

6.5x55 and it won't ruin the meat. lol

[Jims71duster]

I just bought a Remington 700 with the X-trigger in 223and i like it. Topped it with a 4-16x40 BSA illuminated mil dot scope and leopold rings and bases. I would have liked to have a better scope on it, but with not much work in my field this winter i had to get my scope on a budget, which i may regret later, but for now i really like it.
I was running Sellier & Bellot FMJ in 5.56mm but it was causing my gun to jam and i wasent grouping well at all, but thats milsurp ammo for ya. switched to Hornady V-max in 40gr and it shoots flawlessly nearly hole for hole at 100yds. i can definatly cover the groupings with a dime. actually the best shooting rifle i have, and i have brownings and savages among others.
Personally i like the option of buying a wack of cheap ammo for the range, then im use to my trigger and handling of the gun, but when im seriously hunting i switch to the Hornadys.
223 dont shoot as flat as a 22-250 or 243, but i like it.
Gun -$606 tax inc

Mounts and rings - approx $70
Got the scope on a fire sale - $80
the savages are cheaper, and they shoot good, but i really dont like the idea of a plastic magazine. when i buy a gun, its an instant family heirloom, and plastic dont hold up like metal when youre talking family heirlooms.
The Weatherby Vanguard 2 has an amazing double stage trigger, but my biggest dislike about it is the stamp on the barrel that states, "MADE IN JAPAN", where my Remington is made in New York state. Thats a huge factor for me. Anything else i looked at had way to much plastic for me.
if you can save up and get whatever you want, cause you will have it for a very long time.
Happy hunting, hope you have better luck this year then i have had lol.

Yer looking at the wrong savage,,mine was 1100 without a scope and it doesn't have a clip in a 22-250

[coyotekiller]

22-250, it knocks them down pretty good

[Grizzly Adams]

I like my .243. :D Doesn't really do too much damage with the right bullet and reaches WAY out there. Remington 700 Varmint.

Grizz

[RockinRod]

Hi all you coyote hunters,
I want to start coyote hunting but I don't have the right gun. I have a 22mag but it does not have a long enough range. Then I took my 243 out but that puts too big of a hole in a coyote hide. I would like to know what is the best rifle that will knock coyotes down at 200-300 yards and not rip the pelt up. Also I would like to know what are the best shells in what gun.
Thanks

try ruger 204 32 gr 200 yds 0 300 yds -4.1 use horaby

[catnthehat]

A .223 will fill the bill nicely.
Lots of different brands and models to choose from from entry level stuff to high end guns, lots of different ammo from cheap to expenisive, and lethal with no problem at 300 yards.
What's not to like?
Cat

[Georgias daddy]

I'm a big fan of the 204, it is a lighter bullet but it is traveling over 4000 fps. So it takes more than people think to push it off line.

[bushhunter]

What bullets are you using with your .243, i have shot quite a few with .58gr hornady v-max's and not a single one has required a second shot out to 400 yards, and very minimal pelt damage too.

[Smokinyotes]

My son has been using the Winchester 55 gr ballistic tip and they work great but as soon as they are gone we are going to be using the 75 gr v max hand loads

[Prdtrgttr]

Hi all you coyote hunters,
I want to start coyote hunting but I don't have the right gun. I have a 22mag but it does not have a long enough range. Then I took my 243 out but that puts too big of a hole in a coyote hide. I would like to know what is the best rifle that will knock coyotes down at 200-300 yards and not rip the pelt up. Also I would like to know what are the best shells in what gun.
Thanks
For saving hides, at ranges under 300 yds, the 17 Remington loaded with 25gr Bergers is the benchmark. Laser accurate, flat trajectory, and kills coyotes dead. Pin ***** entry and no exit = no sewing.
After that, toss a coin up between the 204 and 223.
After that, it doesn't really matter what you use.
Good luck to you and let us know what you decide.

[sevenmil]

Hi all you coyote hunters,
I want to start coyote hunting but I don't have the right gun. I have a 22mag but it does not have a long enough range. Then I took my 243 out but that puts too big of a hole in a coyote hide. I would like to know what is the best rifle that will knock coyotes down at 200-300 yards and not rip the pelt up. Also I would like to know what are the best shells in what gun.
Thanks

I have been using 70 gr speer TNT bullets for coyotes in my .243 - the bullet is so volatile it comes apart inside and very rarely exits. I can only think of two coyotes that I damaged with this bullet. They were both hit on the exterior of their frame and the bullet sort of unzipped them. Any others that were hit solidly in the bodies had no exit wounds. I shot a coyote in the back of the head with this load as it was the only shot I had, and it did not even exit in this case. Coyotes that are hit with this load go down hard. These bullets are volatile enough that Speer recommends not loading them over 3400 fps in 6mm, which is about as much velocity as most loads for that bullet weight can achieve anyway out of a .243 win. I know a fellow that hunted coyotes a lot with a .243 for pelts and his favorite load was the 70 gr. Sierra hollow point boat tail match. He claims that he rarely damaged a pelt with these. I have only shot one coyote with the 70 gr. Sierra match, and he dropped like a sack at about 250 yards. No pelt damage there. Tried 65 grain hornady V max on coyotes as well but I was getting huge exit wounds with them, so went to the Speers.

[Kale_M]

.204 pushing 40 gr Bergers at 3850fps. Lights out with no damage to the pelt

[Armed.to.the.teeth]

SKS or a CZ 858 :fighting0030:

[deepfried]

.223 works for me

[Marko]

.204ruger, or 22-250

[densa44]

The little buggers are in range. Last night they were around the house and the poor dog was going nuts.

[graybeard]

The 220 Swift, 22-250 are the perfect guns to use IMO.

The 223 (easy to find ammo) and 204 are great as well.

Good luck, any of these calibers will meet your needs.

[280Hunter]

What bullets are you using with your .243, i have shot quite a few with .58gr hornady v-max's and not a single one has required a second shot out to 400 yards, and very minimal pelt damage too.

That's the same bullets I use, longest one shot kill 466yrds :) with the before mentioned minimal pelt damage.

[Wazy.338]

50 bmg....:sHa_shakeshout:

[lopinyote]

I don't believe any one mentioned a 222 .my old man was a trapper his hole life and he loved that gun for coyotes...

[catnthehat]

I don't believe any one mentioned a 222 .my old man was a trapper his hole life and he loved that gun for coyotes...

I use a .222 as my walking varminter and have for over 30 years, but do not recommend it because of the availabilty of both rifles and ammo, there are far more .223's out there, and if a person is asking questions such as this, I try and leave my personal bias out if can and go with what would be readily available and efficient.:)
Cat

[lopinyote]

Yep your right with the ammo and gun part for sure...but i was just throwing it out there as an option

[Grizzly Adams]

A .223 will fill the bill nicely.
Lots of different brands and models to choose from from entry level stuff to high end guns, lots of different ammo from cheap to expenisive, and lethal with no problem at 300 yards.
What's not to like?
Cat

Come on now, He's already got a .243. Little careful selection of bullets, there are lot's to pick from and he's in business. Unless of course he's looking to spend some money. :D

Grizz

[catnthehat]

Come on now, He's already got a .243. Little careful selection of bullets, there are lot's to pick from and he's in business. Unless of course he's looking to spend some money. :D

Grizz

inside 200 meters the .223 has it all over the 243 for pelt damage, which is his concern.
The 243 is louder and bigger, and unless one hand loads, does a lot of damage, which the OP found.
I've used the 243 on coyotes, but only for long range work, we found anywhere inside 200 the .223 the .222 were better, but the .222 is another one where ammo is not always easy to find .
BUT, it does sound like he wants another gun anyway!:sHa_sarcasticlol:
Cat

[Bigeyes10]

204 all the way!

[Trapperchris]

From what everyone is saying it sounds like a 204 would be the way to go. I am thinking about getting it in a T3 LITE SYNTHETIC Tikka. Is there something better? My neighbor is selling me his bushnel yard pro 4-12x42. It has a built in laser rangefinder. This is what I will put on my coyote rifle when I get it.

[catnthehat]

From what everyone is saying it sounds like a 204 would be the way to go. I am thinking about getting it in a T3 LITE SYNTHETIC Tikka. Is there something better? My neighbor is selling me his bushnel yard pro 4-12x42. It has a built in laser rangefinder. This is what I will put on my coyote rifle when I get it.

Anything nin the 204-.223 rang will do fine, but you may have trouble finding .204 ammo at times if you don't hand load.
That is why I recommend the .223 in the small cartridge areas.
My buddy who used to shoot a 243 bought a 17 Remington, and while a great ( fantastic) cartridge for coyotes, it too is a hand load proposition to squeeze the best out of it.
cat

[coy coyote]

If you plan on calling coyotes and hunting them hard go for a 22.250 , Took my 204 out this past weekend on a calling competition and it failed me greatly, the cross winds played hell with my 32 grains and with the 40 grains, and spent more time chasing after wounded coyotes then calling, Out of 18 coyotes called in only 10 made it to the truck, 22.250 or 243 , the 204 is an awesome rabbit and gopher gun, all you have is a fast round with no knock down power,

[Trapperchris]

I have a 243 but it makes a big hole in the hide and the coyotes are not fun to skin after.

[Bigwoodsman]

When I used to hunt these varmit, I used a .222 remington mag. with a 3x9 armsport scope. Great rifle for yotes!

That was almost 30 years ago. I believe the .222 remington mag was a necked down .308. I think I was getting close to 4000 fps with a 55gr boattail. My notes all burnt in a fire so going from memorty

BW

[sevenmil]

I have a 243 but it makes a big hole in the hide and the coyotes are not fun to skin after.

There are many types of .243 bullets that are too much for a coyote pelt. There are some that work just fine. The .243 with 70 grain bullets bucks the wind better than a lot of the smaller cartridges. Try the 70 gr. speer TNTs or the sierra 70 gr hpbt match before you write your .243 off as being too much gun for coyote pelts. If you don't hand load it might be tougher to find what you want however.

[traderal]

I use a 17 rem, 204,22250,220,and 243. The 204 gets the most use. T3 Varmint of course.

[coyote_man]

I find that the 32gr 204 out performs the 22-250 shooting 40 gr coyote loads.I also find that the speed of the 204 bullet compensates for wind drift considerably.There was less drift with 204 than a 25-06 at 300 yards when I sighted in this fall. To me the 204 is the ultimate coyote calibre after more than 30 years with the 22s.

[Trapperchris]

Thanks coyote hunters for all the good advice. I really appreciate it. It helped a lot :sHa_shakeshout:

[10x]

I run a .22 CHeetah Mk1 with a 26" #4 weight barrel. 50gr V max at an honest 4250 fps. They jello the coyote. No running, kicking, wiggling etc.

[baptiste_moose]

That's the same bullets I use, longest one shot kill 466yrds :) with the before mentioned minimal pelt damage.

I load these as well in my 243. Awesome. 58 gr V-max

[KI-UTE]

i would imagine your cheetah will leave basketball size craters for exits when they exit, fine if you pick your shots, but impossible to pick your shot when they are running 30 mph.

Speed destroys fur, when they come out. Does not matter what caliber and further magnifies when using the plastic tipped garbage. Plastic tips are good for callers that pick their shots, straight in face front or broadside thru the ribs. Plasti tips thru the legs, on the pelvis, thru the sprine, in the neck... all very, very bad stuff. Shoulders too... what's left? Not much.

.243 can be awesome on coyotes, but pick your ammo, control your speed. Fast ammo bad, explosive ammo, bad. The less expansive the ammo, the better your results. Try Nosler partitions if you handload, and slow it down. Then you have both hard hitting and you get the benefit of the extreme range, 750 yard shots possible if you are into the long range dial in stuff.

[10x]

The CHeetah will leave big holes occasionally. So did my .222, .223, .22-250. Even shooting 55gr FMJ bullets occasionally left big big holes. And there was always kicking wiggling and running away..... I mostly shoot feedlot dogs. Always ugly, usually mange dogs with very low fur quality if any. I have a buddy who tried the .243 for years. He now shoots my old .222 and is looking at a .223. Too hard of bullet would end up with a pass through with tracking, and way too many losses. Too soft of a bullet and big holes happened with no real change in losses but they killed better. This was before very light .243 bullet weights available so another friend is testing with a .243. I have noticed that wind drift is more noticeable with the .243, as bullets are slower at range unless using heavy bullets with a high BC. Vertical drop is always more than with a high performance .17, .20, or .22. Lots of people love the .243 for coyotes but dealing with the recoil and having to worry more of hold I have never had the bug to leave the small calibers. If I can find a bullet that enters a dog and consistently does not leave yet kills humanely I will be all over it and may even share my find :thinking-006:

[Trapperchris]

From what people are saying and from what I read, I think I am going to buy a 204.
Thanks for all the help.
:happy0034:

[catnthehat]

The CHeetah will leave big holes occasionally. So did my .222, .223, .22-250. Even shooting 55gr FMJ bullets occasionally left big big holes. And there was always kicking wiggling and running away..... I mostly shoot feedlot dogs. Always ugly, usually mange dogs with very low fur quality if any. I have a buddy who tried the .243 for years. He now shoots my old .222 and is looking at a .223. Too hard of bullet would end up with a pass through with tracking, and way too many losses. Too soft of a bullet and big holes happened with no real change in losses but they killed better. This was before very light .243 bullet weights available so another friend is testing with a .243. I have noticed that wind drift is more noticeable with the .243, as bullets are slower at range unless using heavy bullets with a high BC. Vertical drop is always more than with a high performance .17, .20, or .22. Lots of people love the .243 for coyotes but dealing with the recoil and having to worry more of hold I have never had the bug to leave the small calibers. If I can find a bullet that enters a dog and consistently does not leave yet kills humanely I will be all over it and may even share my find :thinking-006:
I never had an issue with properly loaded 50 grain TNT's or Varminters as far as pass through go.
I think I can recall three over the years, 0one being a close shot with a .222 Remington.
Cat

[10x]

I never had an issue with properly loaded 50 grain TNT's or Varminters as far as pass through go.
I think I can recall three over the years, 0one being a close shot with a .222 Remington.
Cat

I have tried many things but keep running into the same wall. If the bullet is strong enough to hold up for the flight it stays together for a pass through. If it too hard (fmj) it doesn't kill quick enough for me with tracking and depending on what it hits or does inside the animal it can leave just as big a hole. This is even true with the 22-250 but the CHeetah just magnifies the problem. Seems that 200-400+ fps difference that is so nice ballistic wise makes it harder to stop. Lets face it a coyote is 6" deep, thats pretty hard to stop a round hitting at 3000-3500 fps on average.

I have not shot the Barnes grenades or other similar designs. They will hold the speed and rotation but have heard some nasty reports of poor performance on coyote sized animals. Bullets letting go in hide or just under on the entering side. Not sure if this is in fact true.

[TFishin]

.223 or .22-250 are your best bets if you want to save the pelts but if your just looking to clean house then i use a .270 and it really gets the job done and it flies straight out to longer distances.

[catnthehat]

I have tried many things but keep running into the same wall. If the bullet is strong enough to hold up for the flight it stays together for a pass through. If it too hard (fmj) it doesn't kill quick enough for me with tracking and depending on what it hits or does inside the animal it can leave just as big a hole. This is even true with the 22-250 but the CHeetah just magnifies the problem. Seems that 200-400+ fps difference that is so nice ballistic wise makes it harder to stop. Lets face it a coyote is 6" deep, thats pretty hard to stop a round hitting at 3000-3500 fps on average.

I have not shot the Barnes grenades or other similar designs. They will hold the speed and rotation but have heard some nasty reports of poor performance on coyote sized animals. Bullets letting go in hide or just under on the entering side. Not sure if this is in fact true.
I don't push my .222's tha hard, ad the TNT works perfectly at 222 or 223 remington speeds.
if I'm going to use a hotter 22 centerfire I'll be shooting them further out than 250 meters.
Cat