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03-15-2013, 08:54 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 6
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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?
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03-15-2013, 08:57 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: High River, AB
Posts: 10,788
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Meh!!! Everybody in their right mind knows that the .223 is the King of varminters.
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03-15-2013, 08:59 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: AB
Posts: 329
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.204, .22-250, .223, .243, etc etc.
Pick one and be merry.
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03-15-2013, 08:59 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Look behind you :)
Posts: 27,782
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gitrdun
Meh!!! Everybody in their right mind knows that the .223 is the King of varminters.
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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
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03-15-2013, 09:00 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Cold Lake
Posts: 1,723
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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.
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03-15-2013, 09:05 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: High River, AB
Posts: 10,788
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I am thoroughly confused now LC Are you sure you were on the right forum?
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03-15-2013, 09:08 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 45,168
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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.
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Only accurate guns are interesting.
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03-15-2013, 09:19 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: High River, AB
Posts: 10,788
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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.
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03-15-2013, 09:19 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Valleyview AB
Posts: 1,376
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I find that any of these will do just fine...
They range in price from $0.70 to $45... What's a dead coyote worth to you?
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03-15-2013, 09:20 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 6
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What kind of pelt damage does the 22-250 do at those closer range shots around the 200yrd mark?
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03-15-2013, 09:28 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Look behind you :)
Posts: 27,782
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Quote:
Originally Posted by survivorman45
What kind of pelt damage does the 22-250 do at those closer range shots around the 200yrd mark?
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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
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03-15-2013, 09:30 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Ardrossan, AB
Posts: 94
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.204 ruger would be another great option.
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03-15-2013, 10:39 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Calgary
Posts: 578
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Don't retreat - just reload......
Alba gu brath!
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03-15-2013, 10:59 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Edmonton Area
Posts: 256
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I second the 20mm.
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03-15-2013, 11:14 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Valleyview AB
Posts: 1,376
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chargerguy
I second the 20mm.
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.....it sure saves time skinning.
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03-16-2013, 07:03 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: WMU 108
Posts: 6,309
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Quote:
Originally Posted by survivorman45
What kind of pelt damage does the 22-250 do at those closer range shots around the 200yrd mark?
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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 ..
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03-16-2013, 07:32 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Nacmine
Posts: 2,286
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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.
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03-16-2013, 08:42 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Rocky Mt. House
Posts: 1,829
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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
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03-16-2013, 12:30 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 29
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I have a 22-.250 in Tikka T3 lite that works great with minimal damage. Have mounted a Vortex scope for optics.
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03-16-2013, 09:16 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Calgary
Posts: 502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hotwheels81
I find that any of these will do just fine...
They range in price from $0.70 to $45... What's a dead coyote worth to you?
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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!
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03-16-2013, 09:19 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Cold Lake
Posts: 1,723
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hotwheels81
I find that any of these will do just fine...
They range in price from $0.70 to $45... What's a dead coyote worth to you?
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I'm surprised no one has said anything about smoking at the reloading bench.
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03-16-2013, 09:20 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Valleyview AB
Posts: 1,376
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hogie135
I'm surprised no one has said anything about smoking at the reloading bench.
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.....they can try.... It's really none of there business.
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03-16-2013, 09:23 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Cold Lake
Posts: 1,723
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Just kiddin man, saw it and thought it was a little funny. I've done it too.
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03-16-2013, 09:39 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Fort Saskatchewan
Posts: 733
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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.
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03-16-2013, 09:42 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ft. McMurray
Posts: 38,589
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DOGFISH
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.
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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
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Anytime I figure I've got this long range thing figured out, I just strap into the sling and irons and remind myself that I don't!
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03-16-2013, 09:56 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Fort Saskatchewan
Posts: 733
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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.
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07-17-2014, 11:06 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Red Deer Alberta
Posts: 783
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DOGFISH
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.
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This is gonna get messy..........................
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07-17-2014, 11:18 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: In the woods
Posts: 8,923
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hotwheels81
I find that any of these will do just fine...
They range in price from $0.70 to $45... What's a dead coyote worth to you?
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You pay .70$ for a 7.62x39?? Yikes!!
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07-18-2014, 08:33 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Medicine Hat
Posts: 4,252
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.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.
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- Sightron rifle scopes, 4.5x14x42mm or 4x16x42mm
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- older 6x fixed scopes with fine X or target dot.
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07-18-2014, 08:35 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Calgary
Posts: 391
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222 for me.
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