Caliber for varminting?
 

I am currently looking at a few different guns for my coyote hunting rifle, and i was just wondering what calibers are good for doing minimal pelt damage but still have enough energy to easily kill it. What do you guys think of the 17 hornet?

Meh!!! Everybody in their right mind knows that the .223 is the King of varminters.

.204, .22-250, .223, .243, etc etc.

Pick one and be merry.

Nope ....I used the search function here and found waaaay more info than you posted here Gitrdun on what to use for varmints and I even determined what was enough gun for wolves and coyotes....true story bro.

As far as calibers for killing coyotes....any caliber will do, I even heard if you hit them in the right spot this applies even more.

LC

you're going to get a lot of opinions on this topic. if you do a search on this forum, you will find a ton of info. .223, 22-250 are probably you're best bets and what most people here will tell you.

I am thoroughly confused now LC :confused: Are you sure you were on the right forum? :thinking-006:

The most common calibers for that application, use .172",.204", and .224" bullets. Pick a centerfire cartridge based on one of those calibers, and you can't go too far wrong. As for the 17Hornet, it looks very promising, but other than Savage, there seems to be quite the backlog on rifles in that chambering.

Where you live or/and hunt dogs also makes a difference. In my neck of the woods, it can get windy at times. And we have some pretty well educated coyotes too. So long shots with a cross wind isn't that uncommon. For these reason, a lot of hunters that I know of in my area have gotten rid of anything 17 and gone to heavier .224 bullets, be it. 222, .223 or 22-250.

I find that any of these will do just fine...

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/p...3C38C8800C.jpg




They range in price from $0.70 to $45... What's a dead coyote worth to you?

What kind of pelt damage does the 22-250 do at those closer range shots around the 200yrd mark?

Depends on the bullet selection and placement. I shot a sitting down coyote straight on the other day from 200 yards with a 45hr HP out of a .223 rem that went right through and there was a lot of hair on top of the snow....I have shot coyotes broad side with same combination and distance that I couldn't find entrance or exit on.

LC

.204 ruger would be another great option.

I second the 20mm.

.....it sure saves time skinning.

Close range is hardly 200 yards , but I guess to each his one . Lefty Canuck got me started on 52 gr. Amax bullets out of my 22-250 and if I keep it away from the shoulder blade , I don't even get an exit at ranges as close as 50 yds .Talk about scramble innards . Lots will tell you a 204 is the way to go , and maybe it is , but I'll stick with the 22-250 .. just a little better gun in my neck of the prairies ..

I use a 223 with great success. My buddy uses a 204 and it never makes a hole, it doesn't always drop them on the spot. ( I've seen the death dash up to 100 yards sometimes, and you get a lot of them that spin around a bit before they lay down) I would say the 204 is the minimum for a serious coyote rig. The 17 hornet will work but its not going to be ideal. The 243 is another option. Not always fur friendly but it just plain flattens them.

22-250,223, or 204 i own one of each now and they all drop yotes like thors hammer im partial to my 22-250 not for any particular reason. There are many more but ill only speak for what i use

I have a 22-.250 in Tikka T3 lite that works great with minimal damage. Have mounted a Vortex scope for optics.

I will take the Blue One on the left for $45, Alex. Thank you very much.......

I like my .243 with 58gr Hornady's. It also give me the option for deer etc. That being said I have shot at them with bows, shotguns, .270,.308, .30-06. Basically whatever I am feeling that day i take with me.
Not sure if you are tryingto keep the pelt but as was mentioned before the .243 outs 'em down but can make a mess on a broad side. Anything bigger dont expect much of the pelt left on the exit side.

Whatever you end up with, good luck!

I'm surprised no one has said anything about smoking at the reloading bench.

.....they can try.... It's really none of there business.

Just kiddin man, saw it and thought it was a little funny. I've done it too.

Caliber for varminting
 

For minimal pelt damage go with the .204 Ruger. With the right bullet and proper shot placement most of the dogs drop on the spot, for the above comments of causing coyotes to run for 100 yards or spinning on the spot i have seen just as many happen with 22-250 and 220 Swifts. If you put the bullet where it counts in the boiler room they will hardly bleed but when you open them up it just like a bowl of Jello inside. If you hit a shoulder or other large bone there can be lots of damage to the pelt no matter which caliber. Just my expeirence.

X2! Small case capacity is where it's at for pelt hunting, and the smaller calibers are best.
For economy minded, the .223 is king, but if you are handloading, I don't think you will see much difference between it and the .204.
Both are exceptional cartridges for all around coyote rifles.:)

Cat

Caliber for varminting
 

One other advantage i find with the .204 is less report than the 22-250. My son and i hunt together all the time and we notice the extra powder in the 22-250 makes a bigger pop. We are close to the city so we try to keep the noise down to a minimum.

:bad_boys_20:

You pay .70$ for a 7.62x39?? Yikes!!:scared0018:

.17 sounds like a good idea but I would be worried about the wind past 200yds.

In order of preference for me:

.204
.222
.6.5
.284/7mm
.243
.22 -not the best choice but in a pinch, under 50 yds.

222 for me.