Which Caliber?

[YoteStopper]

I'm hoping to get a Savage 11 this week, but have not decided on which caliber. It's going to be in .223/22-250 or a bit bigger .260/.243/.25-06. Would be mainly for coyote's with the possibility of wolves. I'm leaning toward the bigger calibers, due to the windy and open country I usually hunt, but is it overkill? Fur is not a concern, hence the 25-06 option, but is 22" barrel long enough to make it worth it over the other choices? I don't handload yet, otherwise I would seriously consider the 6.5 Creedmore. Any other calibers I should look at, other than the ones listed?

[demolition101]

Open country, non pelt friendly, easy ammo access, and wolves! My vote is .243
Demo

[vcmm]

Originally Posted by demolition101

Open country, non pelt friendly, easy ammo access, and wolves! My vote is .243
Demo

x2 Can buy ammo anywhere.

[krthegunslinger]

.243 all the way. You can load 55gr for yotes at 3900FPS. OR 80 or 100,s for wolf and deer and you won't go wrong. I have 3 .243's and you just can't go wrong with one. In my opinion it's a great all round rifle. I've even knocked moose on their butt with the tight bullet.

[Attilathecanuk]

Savage 11 .243 is a sweet rifle! Gives you more options than the smaller calibers and ammo is pretty easy to acquire if you don't reload. Probably be my next new rifle purchase.

[YoteStopper]

Looks like lots of .243 shooters out there! Keep them coming!

I should mention the gun is the new Model 11 International Trophy Hunter, basically the same as the other 11 package guns, but with the Accutrigger and a decent Weaver 3-9x40 instead of the bottom line Bushnell and crappy trigger. Maybe not everybody likes the Accutrigger, but I'm used to it and it works.

Edit- Probably replace the scope sooner or later anyway, but I was very impressed with the overall feel of the package, including the scope.

[elkhunter11]

I use a 260rem for coyote and wolf hunting. The high B.C. .264 bullets are great for shooting longer distances in the wind.

[YoteStopper]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I use a 260rem for coyote and wolf hunting. The high B.C. .264 bullets are great for shooting longer distances in the wind.

How far can the 260 hammer coyotes? I have crossed off the 223/22-250 off the list, so its down to 243/260/25-06. A quick flip through the WSS catalog reveals a smaller selection of ammo for the 260 compared to the others.....

[pikergolf]

.243, I don't think the .22 are big enough fro a 150 lb wolf. Buy shells anywhere.

[wolf308]

shot placement.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

.243, I don't think the .22 are big enough fro a 150 lb wolf. Buy shells anywhere.

.223 is more than big enough for wolves, I've seen more than a few go down with one shot.
Cat

[ShawnM]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

.243, I don't think the .22 are big enough fro a 150 lb wolf. Buy shells anywhere.

You are dead wrong. The .22's are more than sufficient for a wolf, in one of the Eastern European countries (Sweden, Norway, etc) they actually only allow .22-250 for deer hunting.

[gitrdun]

Originally Posted by YoteStopper

I'm hoping to get a Savage 11 this week, but have not decided on which caliber. It's going to be in .223/22-250 or a bit bigger .260/.243/.25-06. Would be mainly for coyote's with the possibility of wolves. I'm leaning toward the bigger calibers, due to the windy and open country I usually hunt, but is it overkill? Fur is not a concern, hence the 25-06 option, but is 22" barrel long enough to make it worth it over the other choices? I don't handload yet, otherwise I would seriously consider the 6.5 Creedmore. Any other calibers I should look at, other than the ones listed?

The 6.5 Creedmore is very interesting indeed. Would be a good excuse to begin reloading. Starting off with the basic gear for a single caliber shouldn't be too costly. I have an article in a recent mag. which features the Creedmore. Interestingly enough, it's on par with one of my favourites, the mightly little 7-08.

[krthegunslinger]

Originally Posted by gitrdun

The 6.5 Creedmore is very interesting indeed. Would be a good excuse to begin reloading. Starting off with the basic gear for a single caliber shouldn't be too costly. I have an article in a recent mag. which features the Creedmore. Interestingly enough, it's on par with one of my favourites, the mightly little 7-08.

If your looking to sell the hides don't go any bigger than the 243 or you wont have anything to sell. I shoot 50-100 every winter and used the 243 for 3 winters. Now I love my Rem 700 VTR .204 it is the coyote killing king. Many long time devoted 22-250 shooters have switched due to lazer flat trajectory and sooooo accurate withno recoil. You can watch your bullet hit through the scope. You won't be disappointed in the .204 calibre. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot at any wolf either.

[YoteStopper]

Ok....the 25-06 is out. Definitely staying short action. It's a tough call between the .243 and the .260......

In all reality, most shots will be under 350 yards. It's the wary ones sitting at 650-700 watching me that I want to have a crack at. Got caught out in the open once last winter, had yote #1 at 275 or so, called it in and blew the shot but # 2 & 3 were sitting on the hillside way out there watching the show the whole time....no way to sneak closer and they didn't budge until they heard the shot.

Edit- not intending to bang away at that range, but if the gun/bullet/shooter can make the shot, I would like a humane kill at extended ranges. Just wanted to clarify.

[wolf308]

both 243 and 260 are from the 308 ,and your worried about factory availability so why dont you get a 308 win? lots of loadings and more rifle variety that you can shake a stick at, probably easier on the barell than the other calibres and if pelts arent a concern leaves a bigger hole so better for bleeding out. and if you do get into reloading its a good one to learn on,very forgiving.

put the right scope on with right bullet and you could cream yotes out to ...... 1200 yards. that would be one helluva shot, lots of practise.

[YoteStopper]

Originally Posted by wolf308

both 243 and 260 are from the 308 ,and your worried about factory availability so why dont you get a 308 win? lots of loadings and more rifle variety that you can shake a stick at, probably easier on the barell than the other calibres and if pelts arent a concern leaves a bigger hole so better for bleeding out. and if you do get into reloading its a good one to learn on,very forgiving.

put the right scope on with right bullet and you could cream yotes out to ...... 1200 yards. that would be one helluva shot, lots of practise.

I could get a 308 of course, but really like the 6-6.5mm calibers....

Probably put the Bushnell Elite Tactical 10x40 fixed power on eventually. One of the best options in its price range, in my opinion. Should cover things nicely.

[ShawnM]

Originally Posted by YoteStopper

Ok....the 25-06 is out. Definitely staying short action. It's a tough call between the .243 and the .260......

In all reality, most shots will be under 350 yards. It's the wary ones sitting at 650-700 watching me that I want to have a crack at. Got caught out in the open once last winter, had yote #1 at 275 or so, called it in and blew the shot but # 2 & 3 were sitting on the hillside way out there watching the show the whole time....no way to sneak closer and they didn't budge until they heard the shot.

Edit- not intending to bang away at that range, but if the gun/bullet/shooter can make the shot, I would like a humane kill at extended ranges. Just wanted to clarify.

If you're looking at a 650-700yrd gun, and I don't recommend you shooting at anything alive at that distance, then you'd probably like to consider the 6/6.5mm cartridges. I've been looking to try out 6.5-284 and that would probably do the trick.

[Desert_Faux]

LOTS of choices at Trade-Ex for rifles chambered in 6.5x55mm....

http://www.tradeexcanada.com/produits/95?page=8

Just check from this page until the end. Many New In Box, Sporterized Military, and Commercial made 6.5x55's available, for very reasonable prices...


Just sayin'...

[superglide]

243 all the way, you can get ammunition anywhere and it won't break the bank. Inexpensive ammo means more rounds down range!