Best coyote cartridge?

[brewster29]

I have had mixed results with my 22-250, using 55 gr Hornady SX bullets.
Kills them dead, sometimes no exit hole and sometimes half the off side is demolished. The nicest dog I ever shot was a write off...

Shot lots with a 6mm Rem and 100 Partitions. Exit holes not too bad.

This year I am trying a 223 with 70 gr Accubonds.

[kujoseto]

Originally Posted by Dick284

I can say with all certainty, that a 30-06 and 150gr. Hornady BTSP’s is a bit much at 80 yds.
So not this one

Haha yup.
Same for the 22-250 at 12 yards. Not good! But the 22-250 is otherwise pretty awesome.
243 with 75gr vmax seemed to make quite the mess too.

204 ruger is highly regarded by many

[waldedw]

Don't know if there is such a thing as BEST coyote rifle but there is for sure lots of GOOD ones.

I don't have a 22-250 anymore but it was great with 52gr HPBT match sierra's, rarely ever an exit hole unless they were in close. Now I use a 223 with that same bullet, works like a charm, not as much range as the 22-250 but less damage on shorter shots.

There is always a trade off no matter what you use, no one caliber/bullet is perfect for every situation, if I am calling I try to shoot them before they get to close to avoid tearing them up, sometimes that's just not possible.

The main thing is to get out and call or spot and stalk or whatever just get out hunting them, winter is a great time outdoors, it is a 3 month extension to most hunting, dress warm and enjoy your days in the field.

[eric2381]

I love my 204s and 22-250s, but if I was to say which cartridge is the best, top dog coyote round, it would be my 220 swift. Shooting 40gr Vmax at 4370fps. Surprisingly very fur friendly. But I don’t shoot em in the shoulder. Hit em behind the shoulder in the ribs. Or frontal straight on.

I can be sure there will be people saying 40gr is too light, it blows too much in the wind, it blows up on impact, blah blah blah. I’ve killed a pile of coyotes with this combo and it works amazing. Up close and way out there.

[58thecat]

Ohhhh and I forgot to mention the 243 also....can be your big game and yote gun if your on a tight budget...

[stob]

A buddy takes 250-300+ per year and he went from a 22-250 ( for decades) to a 204 and like everyone says you can see the hit and he capably shoots to 400yds but most are under 200yds. I currently use a 243win with a barnes 80gr ttsx with no fur damage @ 3400fps

[Clint 0778]

204 with 35 or 40gr bergers. Also like the 39gr blitz king.

[sheep]

I shoot the 204 and have runners, thinking of changing to the 250. v-max, varmageddons, blitzkings, barnes, nothing seems to hit hard enough at 300+

[trapperdodge]

If your just shooting them it doesn't matter what calibre you use.

If your going to board them then it absolutely matters. A shotgun with BB's is better than a rifle for hair damage and sewing. Small is better.

[tikka250]

Originally Posted by trapperdodge

If your just shooting them it doesn't matter what calibre you use.

If your going to board them then it absolutely matters. A shotgun with BB's is better than a rifle for hair damage and sewing. Small is better.

Careful who your selling to if your shooting em with BB's my one buyer gets right pizzed off if he sees you have shot em with a shotgun. Says the extra pellets cut lines through the hair and when he goes to sell the finished product he gets dinged for damaged goods. I asked and he said 17 or 20 cal hole is the best for lack of damage.

[trapperdodge]

True.

Shotgun pellets cut hair that is why if your going to shotgun 'em fewer large pellets are better than more small pellets.

Again the smaller the hole the better, and preferably with no exit to sew up.

[trapperdodge]

True.

Shotgun pellets cut hair. If your going to shotgun 'em fewer large pellets is better than many small pellets.

The smallest entry hole you can manage is best with no exit to sew.

[kujoseto]

338 Lapua improved launching 300 Sierra Match king

[6.5 shooter]

.250 Roberts...would make a nice rig if your doing Big game and yotes.

I have used .17Hornet, .22 Hornet, .204 Rem, .222 Rem, .243Rem, and a bunch of 6.5 offerings ... All work, some are a bit of overkill, Some you need to be up close and personal....
Like the magic bullet the "magic" yote cartridge does not exist. Some do come closer then others...

[FellSwoop]

I am not a coyote shooter by trade, but get out occasionally so take this with a bit of salt... The 223 Remington is preferred due to the low cost of a "freedom bucket" of UMC FMJ 55 gr ammo. I have a cheap Norinco bolt action rifle that has claimed a few coyotes, rabbits, and beavers on the cheap using this ammo. Gotta give a thumbs up for the 223 rem.

[raised by wolves]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

What bullet do you recommend in a 6 mm Rem?

90 grain Scirocco. Or any non expanding boattail in 80-100 grains. Two small holes and the dogs drop on the spot.

[bakerman]

So far I have taken 8 yotes from 30 to 205yrds with my 17wsm and haven't lost 1 yet. Had to shoot 1 twice but that was it, you can't even see a bullet hole but it drops em dead, it's quiet, cheap and fun to to shoot, if your shooting longer shots then the 22-250 rules, but try the 17 wsm you'll love it.

[Hunter3006]

Originally Posted by Dick284

I can say with all certainty, that a 30-06 and 150gr. Hornady BTSP’s is a bit much at 80 yds.
So not this one

I can also vouch fir that

[fps plus]

I shoot a 17 rem using original Hornady 25gr hp . My brother uses a 220 swift 40 gr nosler BT. The 17 doesn’t exit . When the swift exits the hole is about the size of a quarter , sometimes it doesn’t exit. Both we drive fast.

[Redneck 7]

Originally Posted by bakerman

So far I have taken 8 yotes from 30 to 205yrds with my 17wsm and haven't lost 1 yet. Had to shoot 1 twice but that was it, you can't even see a bullet hole but it drops em dead, it's quiet, cheap and fun to to shoot, if your shooting longer shots then the 22-250 rules, but try the 17 wsm you'll love it.

Good to know. I’ve been wanting a 17 wsm for a while now and never thought of it as a coyote gun. Gonna look into this more, what rifle manufacturer are you using?

[Gifted Intuitive]

Originally Posted by CaptainJ

Hey, just wondering what the best coyote round is. Did a little digging around and saw the .223 is the most common, but can sometimes puncture through the animal. Is there a better round for coyote?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have never heard of a 'round' hitting a coyote or any other animal. 204,17 rem, 223, 22-250 are cartridge designations. Wouldn't a discussion show more intelligence if bullet weight, bullet construction, bullet velocity were variables considered critical. The 223 and 22-250 both deliver bullets of equal diameter but have different powder capacities so therefore different velocity capabilities.
What are the min/max velocities at different distances necessary to harvest coyotes ? Effectiveness on winter fur is much different than summer fur.

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by Gifted Intuitive

I have never heard of a 'round' hitting a coyote or any other animal. 204,17 rem, 223, 22-250 are cartridge designations. Wouldn't a discussion show more intelligence if bullet weight, bullet construction, bullet velocity were variables considered critical. The 223 and 22-250 both deliver bullets of equal diameter but have different powder capacities so therefore different velocity capabilities.
What are the min/max velocities at different distances necessary to harvest coyotes ? Effectiveness on winter fur is much different than summer fur.

I thought this was already a pretty good discussion that covered a lot of those points without being critical of minor points that are effectively irrelevant.

If you think more info along the lines u suggest is warranted then perhaps you could add the actual info rather than just sounding superior and condescending.

[Twisted Canuck]

See, if you hadn't quoted the Gifted one, I never would have had to read that, and agree with you Dean.

Anyway, the best coyote cartridge is invariably the one rifle I don't have with me when I see Coyotes. Hence, the last 8 or 10 I've shot have all gotten a bit 'over-gunned' you could say. 7mm08, with 140 Ballistic tip...7mm Rem Mag with 150 gr TTSX.....300 WM with 180 gr TSX. Stuff like that.

But I don't worry much about hides, just the game and the farmer's calves that will not have to deal with predators. Which is good, because 140 gr ballistic tips make an incredible mess.

So I finally just sold the .22-250.

[coyotecaller]

243 or 6mm
Running deer bullets, 80-100 softpoints. Had a few sew jobs but nothing that we all don’t experience with other calibers. I really like the 17’s as well.
But what I really like about the 243 or 6mm is the dogs are DRT. Can honestly say that I’ve haven’t ever had a runner with the 6’s. I’ve had way too many with the 204 and 223. 250’s are good but I’ve had more sew jobs with it than the 6’s

[magoonpointboy]

Whichever cartridge is in the rifle I'm holding when I see one. LOL
Sorry. Not helpful, but I couldn't resist.

[trigger7mm]

I’ve shot many, many, coyotes. My top choice for sure is the 204. If you’re not interested in the pelts, then there are many other calibers that are great. Of the hundreds of coyotes I’ve shot with it, I can almost count n one hand how many runners I’ve had that went more than maybe 20 yards.

[Stinky Coyote]

i think the way they are hunted would be an influence to consider as well

the fast 6mm would be the ticket for black dodge dually pool noodle style of hunting which assumes they stay where they lay...but for a dedicated calling rig with selling fur on the menu then it's really tough to beat the .204 for the trajectory and lack of hide damage

[gray7mag]

I've had good luck with the 22-250 shooting 55 grain Nosler Varmint Ballistic Tips. Small entrance and they typically do not exit. It puts them down very quickly.

Last year I shot coyotes ranging from 20 yards to 550 and it did a fantastic job. The Nosler BT Varmints are awesome!

[teledogs]

I have had excellent performance with a 223 and Nosler 55gr Varmint BTs and I keep it under 300 yards.
I have also had excellent results with my 708 loaded with Barnes TTSX 120gr, always a clean hole in and out.

[Big Lou]

Originally Posted by Stinky Coyote

i think the way they are hunted would be an influence to consider as well

the fast 6mm would be the ticket for black dodge dually pool noodle style of hunting which assumes they stay where they lay...but for a dedicated calling rig with selling fur on the menu then it's really tough to beat the .204 for the trajectory and lack of hide damage

I agree entirely SC. I like my 204 or 223 for the calling sets and saving pelts. If I were to participate in a calling competition or such for example, where numbers matter; I’d absolutely be running a 6mm offering and have not a twitcher or spinner, much less a runner.