RE: Which caliber to complete this trio
 

we are missing a group,up here in NY lots of coyotes are taken with a 12 gauge with buckshot because of the thick woods and brush that they hang in.

RE: Which caliber to complete this trio
 

no, no group missing. While shooting coyotes with a 12 ga. could happen around here while hunting pheasants and what not, odds are you won't get that close. This is wide open farming territory, rifles rule the roost.

RE: Which caliber to complete this trio
 

I had to choose when I bought my coyote rifle but I went with a .223.

If you are shooting them just to shoot them your 25-06 is more than good enough (heck so is your 7mm). I've taken more with my 7mm RM during deer/elk hunting that I have with my .223.

But if you prefer to have a predator-only rifle you just can't go wrong with the 223. Ammo is very affordable, especially lately, and mine shoots so well I can't imagine a need for anything better. If you wanted to hunt predators (coyote, bobcat, as well as groundhogs or marmits) all the time you may be better off with a 22-250 or 220 swift as they are slightly flatter shooting. But much more expensive too. And as mentioned, the 204 may be a little light for song-dogs, especially at longer ranges. I've never had to shoot a coyote more than once with my 223 so it works plenty fine for all my encounters.

Good luck and congrats on the new rifle no matter what you get!

RE: Which caliber to complete this trio
 

If you hunt in open areas that shoot long distances, then I would say either 22-250 or .220 Swift.


If you hunt in woods, I'd go with a .223 Ruger Carbine or, if you'd rather keep bolting, then get a CZ bolt-action 10-rounder in 7.62x39,don't remember the model name of it.

Ordinarily, I'd recommend the .243 Winchester, but, seeing as you've already got a 25-06,a .243 would exactly add muchvariety to the mix, now would it?

One last thing, and I know this might begoing toofar, if you can find a Ruger 10/22 in .22 WMR, then get it, it's not made anymore, and it'dmake a fine varmit gun, may not be the best for coyote, but I think you could use light 25-06 ammo just fine for coyotes, couldn't you?

RE: Which caliber to complete this trio
 

22-250

RE: Which caliber to complete this trio
 

http://www.savagearms.com/40Varmint.htm Id go with the old 22hornet(40gr/2800fps) which is making a comback latley. Good yote gun out to 200+yds and just as cheap as 223 which I believe is, or may become in short supply due to global war efforts.