The .204 Caliber is going to be easier on the hides/pelts.I have a CZ-USA Model 527 "Varmint" with the heavy barrel that is 24 inches long,bolt-action with a Leupold 3X9X40mm scope and it does a fantastic job on Coyotes,it reaches far out and shoots nice and flat and accurate...I've shot 5 Coyotes already with it and it does very little damage to the hides and usually doesn't even pass-thru their bodies,it drops them right on the spot too!The CZ "American" model 527 .204 is basically the same Rifle with a shorter barrel and its lighter in weight and easier to carry and pack around.

I sighted the Rifle in with Hornady 40 grain V-max shells and switched over to try out the Winchester 32 grain ballistic tip bullets...these were the bulllets I have shot the 5 Coyotes with and it has some great knock-down power,I had 1 Coyote with minimal damage becasue I shot it a little far back and low...it literally gutted that Coyote and dropped it within a few feet of where it was shot.I'm going to switch over to the Sierra Blitz Kings 39 grain bullets (loaded by Federal V-Shok) because I heard they shot better in the .204 Rifles so I'm going that route when I use up my 32 grainers!

The .22-250 is a nice Gun but I think its going to do a little more damage to a Coyote and especially a Fox since they are usually a little smaller?