LONG range coyote gun
 

Ok, long story short I just moved to an area loaded with super smart coyotes in super flat and open areas... everyone near me is more than willing to let you use practically any method you would wish to use to legal or not to kill the 'yotes in the area. Problem is this has made the coyotes EXTREMELY skiddish of ever coming in to calls and they aren't very vocal. I used to get a lot of yotes by just carrying my .243 with me in my truck everywhere I go but these coyotes high tail it the other way any time they see a vehicle even when you are over a mile away... I have seen 4 in the last month and the closest I could get even using the vehicle tocut them off was about 300 yards. You can see for about 2 miles easy around here cuz its all open fields, and you can bet that if you see the coyotes they've seen you.

I guess what I am asking is if anyone knows a good coyote gun that would be fast shooting, durable, lethaland would be able to be sighted in for 300-400 yards.

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

Your .243.

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

Yeah...

my .243 is pretty old about 7+ years old and was my first rifle so it has been beaten up quite a bit over the years and is still good for close range but the bullets are all over the place past about 150-200 yards. I was thinking a .204, .222, .223 or .17 but I don't know a whole lot about any of those types of guns and I would need something cheap.

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

If you aren’t going to collect the pelts, I'd most likely stay with the 243, or something like a 7mm mag if you have one. If you are collecting pelts, I like (and shoot) a 204 ruger. The 204 ruger and 22-250 are about the fastest, flattest shooting rounds on the market.

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

Thanks,

I am saving the pelts during their prime season... I like my .243 but it just doesn't seem to be working for those distances. I was leaning towards a .204 or a .17, but would a .17 have that kind of range and still be able to kill a coyote?

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

.17 is out of the question. I don't know anything about a .204 but would guess the same.

You want long range accuracy get a .308, snipers shoot them for a reason. Load them with match grade FMJ bullets and they won't tear up the pelts.

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

Not sure where you live, but I'm guessing that if you have large flat areas, you probably have a good bit of wind too. For that reason I would suggest a larger more powerful bullet/rifle combo so you won't have to worry about drift as much.

IMO, the .17, .22LR, .222, .223, and possibly the .204 just aren't suited to handle those longer shots under windy conditions...especially the .17.

I would seriously consider the .22-250 and .243.....although the .308 is another good option.

I know you already have a .243 that you can't group that far out there.....but if you are looking at buying another rifle, another .243 in the cabinet would allow you to save money by shooting the same bullets out of both.

Just an idea.

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

i love my 25wssm. it is dead on at 300 yards. it is an awsome gun

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

Thanks everyone for your input.

I was doing a little research online and found a Rifle Trajectory Table that showed that a .240 Weatherby Mag can shoot out to 322 yards before ever going 3" above or below line of sight. I was just wondering if anyone has one of these or knows if they are any good?

Thanks,

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

If your .243 is off a bit it may be cheaper just to look at updating it. You can put a new scope barrel and stock on it for half the price of a new varmit set-up. But then again you may be like me looking for a reason to get a new rifle.

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

lol, glad someone understands... i know i don't NEED a new rifle but i WANT one and I want to get one that is going to be better than what i got because so far since moving here i am 0-4 on the coyotes and I want to increase my average. lol

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

That .243 you have would be just fine at those ranges. Maybe try some other ammomaybe it just doesn't like what your putting though it. If you have access to handloads that would be the way to go. Also you might think of cleaning it real good with good solvents and a brush to remove cooper and powder fouling. Chances are your rifle is just fine 7 years isn't that old for a rifle unless you do some serious shooting. I dont know what kind of scope you have on it but a quaility high magnificationscope will help greatly at those ranges. Maybe just change out the scope,good cleaning and try some different ammo.

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

The .240 WB mag will definately reach out there. If you are concerned about pelt damage it wouldn't be a good choice. That one is going to leave a hole. May not be the most recoil friendly either. It's liable to buck a little.

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

The 204 ruger will do the job, but if there is a 20+ wind blowing it will effect your shot placement. I live on the high plains of NM where the wind never stops blowing, and I have made several shots on animals 250+ yards this year and dropped them in their tracks with mine. I have been shooting factory loaded Hornaday 40gr V-Max. On less windy days my die hard 223 fan buddy and I shoot at paper out to around 500 or so yards just to play, and let me tell you, this cartridge has made me a believer.

And no the 17 won't get it done at those ranges. The 17 HMR would get the job done close range, and I think it or the mach 2 should be the leading choice among trappers, but it doesn't have the velocity, or energy to be a long range dog killer. However, there is a new round on the market called the 17 rem fireball that looks interesting, but it’s ballistics don't really compare to the 204 ruger or 22-250.

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

In factory loadings, a 55 grain Nosler ballistic tip from a .243 is ballistically superior to any .204, .22-250, or .220 Swift loading. Thisincludes wind drift and bullet drop. Higher diameter bullets have higher ballistic coefficients, up to a point. With this in mind, if you really wanted a long range coyote gun a .338 Lapua would be hard to beat. However, a .243 or 25-06 is more capable than most people can shoot them. If I were you I'd take your .243 to a gunsmith for some bedding and a trigger job, find a load it likes, and practice. What kind of rifle is it, anyway? Also, where are you currently living? If you live in good elk/deer/pronghorn country and just want a new rifle, find a nice 7mm/300 Mag and shoot an aerodynamic bullet through that. It would serve you well for larger species, along with being a pretty good long range gun on the dogs.

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

I'd stick with your .243. If not buy a 25-06and start reloading.

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

ruger mark 2.243 i shoot 55 grain bullets that winchester makes balistic silver tips at 50 yds. i am 2" high and at 200 i am still 2" high the gun shoots amazing i haven't got to take out yet BUT if i were you i would get a BDC scope by nikon it helps a ton me n my cousin were messin around n he asked if i could hit a huge oak tree at about 700 YDS i pu the last circle on it n i hit that tree i couldn't BELIEVE it not were i wanted to but i nvr sited in for that range!!!!! i think that would be an awesome setup JMO

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

I live in ILLINOIS where the terrain in my area is also flat.There are alot of coyotes but most are skittish also,from the dog runners and the truck shooters.My advice is to learn the terrain and how to call prpoperly and most any centerfire rifle or shotgun will do.I have hunted 3 days of the last seven and called in 4 coyotes,killed 3 at distances from 25 to 150 yards.So do your homework and learn to call if you truly love the sport.DONT HUNT FROM A PCKUP its just not the same

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

I think my rifle is a Remington 1700... maybe 700??? Anyway I have been shooting Winchester SuperX 100grain rounds through it and just today I went out and bought some Hornady 100 grains because they claim that they are dead on at 200 yards vs. Winchesters 100yds. I was re-sighting the gun in today at about 350 yards and I got it down to being able to hit the paper on the target but it still needs a lot of fine tuning. I have a 3-12x50 rangefinding scope with lighted reticles and it seemsto work quite well and has a decent zoom on it. I live in Midwestern Minnesota in the Lake Agassis flat plains. It is litterally beet fields as far as the eye can see. You can actually clearly see towns that about 20 miles away and there are only trees around the very few houses in the area. This makes seeing the coyotes really easy and shooting them very difficult. The biggest problem is the roads are all exactly a mile apart so when they sit in the middle of the fields they are at a half mile and the second they see a vehicle they high tail it the other way. And they NEVER go near a road unless they know you wont have a chance of catching up to them...

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

I just picked up a Savage model 11 in 243 and I think with what i'm gonna load for it I bet I can make it a shooter at 3 and 4 hundred yards

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

That should be a awesome shooting gun.In my opinion it is hard to beat a savage for out of the box accracy.

RE: LONG range coyote gun
 

I love the 243 you should be able to make it shoot good enough to kill them at 350yards.I have a stock rem. 700 sps that I bought for my little girl,I have done a trigger job on it,it shoots MOA groups with the right bullets.It likes fed fusion 95gr.and loves hornady 58gr. there just not big enough for deer.But they have enough energy for a songdog as far as you can hit him.I dont know your gunsmithing ability's but make sure the barrel is floated not touching the stock,until you get to the receiver,and scrub that bore good fouling can kill a rifles accuracy,in my opinion you already have one of the best calibers,the 243 was one of original short action magnums.As for the 240 weatherby have you priced ammo for if you dont reload they can be pretty high.

I have been using my Browning A-bolt .243 for Coyote Hunting and it has reached out a few times and knocked down several Coyotes,trouble is I'm using 100 grain Hornady shells and have hunted Deer with it also so I don't intend on dropping down to a lighter grain bullet.I'm considering a CZ-USA model 527 in the American or Varmint in the .204.This is a great long range Rifle and it has some pretty good knock down power with the Sierra Blitz King 39 grain bullets it will do some serious damage.The .223 Rifle with a lighter bullet is going to reach out pretty far also and have some good knock down power with say a 40 to 50 grain bullet...as far as the .17 HMR I think it is too light a caliber to take down a Coyote or Bobcat?

I use a .243 and have never felt undergunned.

At those distances and futher, most would recommend a .308.

If pelts are not a concern surely a 7MM RM or a .300 WM would be your best long range calibers if needing factory loads.

Whomever mentioned the .338 Lapua sure wasn't mess'in around.

someone dug up an old thread, from '08........and then recommends the .204 for long range coyote work......apparently, GTO's long range and most others aren't the same because to me,..the .204 is NOT a long range coyote caliber. Best stick with the .243 or larger for LONG range work..If you're just shooting rock chucks or prairie dogs, then the .204 is fine.

I have two rifles that I consider good for coyotes. One is a relatively light weight and very accurate .223. If I am planning on doing considerable calling and hiking, this is my favorite rifle to carry. It is easily a good 300 yard rifle for coyotes. My other is a
6MM Remington that I built on an old 30-06 action. Its a bit heavier than the .223 but also very accurate, and quite capable on coyotes to 400 yards with 75 gr. vmax handloads. Have fun making your selection.

I beg to differ...checkout the following Site and tell these Predator Hunters the .204 can't reach out and put a Predator down!

www.204Ruger.com

GTO,

I use a .204 with 40gr. V-Max and just took one out yesterday.

I think RR's comments had to do with "long range" shooting.

As we all know when RR talks long range, well...............................

So, a 40 gr. bullet gets pushed around by the wind pretty good out passed 300 yards.

That's when I prefer to use my .243 with a 75gr V-max.

Sheridan,"Congratulations on the Coyote"!By the way...what State are You located in?



...I ordered me a CZ-USA Model 527 Varmint .204 today...should be in before the 4th of July so hopefully I can get my bases/rings and a Leupold 3X9X40mm scope by then and start out early to site it in...thinking about the Hornady 40 grain bullets or the Sierra Blitz Kings in 39 grains.The "Varmint" has a 24 inch Heavy barrel so hopefully it will reach out further and more accurately too?I'll let You know how things go and keep everyone up-dated on how far it will shoot.

The thing about Predator Hunting here in Missouri is that we have lots of thick timber,rolling hills and some large open fields where Farmers cut hay and it gives us a chance to shoot some pretty far distances...for the most parts we have more close encounters with Coyotes,Bobcats and Foxes...so sometimes shooting a long distance isn't in the equation!....and I have my Browning .243 as a back-up if its windy or we hunt in thicker cover.

GTO (BTW- my father & my brother owned one- the car),

I live in San Diego & every Saturday I head up to the mountains.

Two in three weeks, both with my .204 using 40gr.V-max while set-up.

Mounted with Burris Signature Select 6.5X-24X 44MM Mil-Dot Reticle.

Used my turkey decoys this past week - worked like a charm !

Most CZ are good shooter (set trigger ?).

Bring a shotgun with you when your in tight cover.....................

All the best bud !!!

RR, I 100 % agree with you in all aspects!!!!!

I shoot several .22 Centerfire from 22-250 pistol to .220 Swift and have both shot and loaded 55grn 243 and have yet to see it out perform them.
I as well shoot a Accuracy International AWM in .338 Lapua Magnum for work and that is without question a 'yote slammer far farther than 98% of the regular shooting world can comprehend. That and if you have a spare 10K-12K laying around for rifle and glass, why not?!?!?!
Nothing like watching a 225grn Lapua round slam into a yote at 1200-1500yds and see a hole the size of you fist out the other side. But at $5-$7 around downrange, not very profitable.

i'm partial to the 220 swift , loaded with 55 gr. hornady v-max, 4064 powder. longest coyote kill shot was at 423 yds

GREAT LOAD!!!!! My Savage 112BVSS likes the same load and with 50grn Nosler Bal. Tip with CCI BR primers. Prints both well inside MOA. My Ruger M77V likes 4895 with Sierra BTHP's.

If you can't get a Swift to print with 4064 or 4895 it more than likely will not. Same with a 22-250, if it will not print with H380, it more than likely will not as well.

Sheridan...I envy You being able to go up in the mountains...thats gotta be pretty cool to sit up high and hunt any Big Game Animals or Predators!


So far I have one 1969 GTO,a '69 GTO Judge to restore,a '69 LeMans Convertible,a '69 LeMans Hardtop a 1966 Tempest 4-door,'66 Tempest Convertible ...gonna put a 389 with a tri-power in that one...also have a 1966 Catalina and assorted Pontiac Parts Cars and parts! ;)


You and a few other long-range/short range even gas range Predator/Varmint Coyote Hunters need to joing www.204Ruger.com and talk about the different Rifles You have and share in the info...heck You may already be a Member there?

Picked up my CZ-USA Varmint Rifle last week...got lucky and it had the rings stored away inside some bubble wrap tucked away in the styro-foam packaging!It states that the "Varmint" doesn't come with rings...the "American" does tho...guess I got lucky and those babies are expensive!Now to pick a nice scope...thinking about getting one of the new Leupolds in Camo....they look pretty cool!

I will let everyone know how it goes when I sight my new Rifle in and hiw accurate the "Varmint" heavy barrel is to shoot! :D ;)