I would go with a .223 or a .243 if you decide to use it for Deer Hunting also.

Get a 223. Most common round out there. Easy to find ammo and reloading stuff. You can find a rifle in any style and price range to fit you needs as well. I like a light rifle or coyote hunting, cause I walk around quite a bit and it makes it easy to carry all day. My CZ 527 M1 is my favorite at the moment. I love my Encore as well. Put a good 3-12 on it and you'll have a great set up.

Another vote for the .223. I load a 50 gr V-Max over 26.5 gr of Varget for 3200 fps. Three rounds generally go through a ragged hole at 100 yards from the CZ 527 Varmint Lam I prefer to carry for coyotes. Significantly less pelt damage than my .243 or .22-250 inflicts.

On windy days when I'm not concerned about pelt damage (i.e. late spring or summer), I prefer a .243. I haven't finished working up the load yet, but the 75 gr. V-Max over 45-ish of IMR 4350 is showing promise in the accuracy department through an older Ruger 1B.

Over 100 coyotes with my .204 AR shooting reloaded 35 and 40 gr. berger bullets, a deadly combo. on coyotes.

I like it so much that I sold my 22-250.

257 wby 115 gr berger vld's 71 grains 7828ssc,thats what I like
I don't pick'em up,so I don't worry about holes.
BBJ

Power-tuned SamYang Air Rifle shooting about a 200grain, .454 caliber boolit.