salukipv1

.204 Ruger
.223 Rem.
.22-250 Rem.
.220 Swift

These are really the only 4 cartridges I'm trying to figure out which I'd want as a varmint/coyote specific rig.

Recently I've heard/read about the damage a .22-250 will do to a coyote's pelt, is this true or can you use a tougher bullet? would a .204 be any kinder to a pelt?

My thoughts are such that, I think I'd get a .204 ruger over a .223 rem, I was pretty set on a .22-250, but thinking maybe a .204 would be a bettet set up, the .220 I hear can be finicky and I don't reload, also popularity of the .22-250, so I guess really is why would I want a .22-250 vs. .204 ? Ammo cost is not a decision maker for me.

jason miller

A 40 grain .204 or 55 grain .243 both provide better ballistics than any .22 caliber in factory ammo selection. I don't know about pelt damage though...

Didn't you just get a Weatherby .243? I'd use it with the same loads you decide on for pronghorn and it should work great on coyotes, plus provide you with a way to get even more familiar with it. If you're dead set on getting a new gun, look hard at a cz 527 varmint in .204. They have nice little slick actions, nice balance, a medium heavy barrel, and yet they aren't really heavy. I would love to own one if it were financially feasible.

skb2706

I have a couple of both. If all I was hunting was coyote size game definitely the 22-250. If on the other hand small prairie dog size game was my first choice with occasional coyotes the .204. Like I said, I have both so I am never stuck in this dilema.

ACLakey

Very wise statement.

Any of the calibers you listed will be effective on coyotes, but the fact you do not reload I would stick with a caliber that is easy to come by. If you are calling coyotes most of your shots will be within 150yards, most being in the 50-100 yard range. The .22-250 will have more energy than all of the listed calibers except the swift of course and you will be able to buy ammo for it. The long range benefits of the .204 are not seen at the closer ranges of coyote calling so that is a moot point. With coyote calling you will not be sending hundreds of rounds down range so get a sport weight rifle, a heavy varmint rifle is not needed.

For bullets to limit pelt damage there are two schools of thought. One a bullet that will come apart quickly and not exit or a tougher constructed bullet that will have a controlled expansion and a exit. I would look at 52gr BTHP Match bullets from either Hornady or Sierra for the first type. These bullets have a much smaller hollow point than varmint type bullets and will enter and usually not exit. When a varmint bullet hits something hard you may see splash or surface wounds that will not usually kill but will make a mess out of the hide. The match type bullets have a very thin jacket and will expand violently but with the small hollow point will usually penetrate a bit before this happens. Les Johnson has a tv show called Predator Quest and nine times out of ten he is shooting a 22-250 with a 52gr BTHP Match bullet from HOrnady(most of the other time he is shooting the .204). You can visit his site and watch quite a few videos on the effect of this combination.

http://www.predatorquest.com/episodes.php

For a controlled expansion bullet one of the best on coyotes has been the 55gr Sierra Gameking #1365. This bullet is much tougher and will generally leave a nickel to quarter sized exit which is easily sewed up. With a bullet like the Gameking you do not have to be as careful with shot angle as they have superior penetration. I have taken hundreds of coyotes with the .22-250 and either of these choices have been the best for me for putting the coyotes down quickly with minimal pelt damage.

For what it is worth after years behind a .22-250 and .243 I have switch to a .223AI for my predator calling setup. With 40gr bullets I am getting just under 4000fps out of a 22" barrel(similar to the performance of a .204) and they kill coyotes like lightning with no exits so far. Granted I have only taken a handfull of coyotes with this setup but it has been impressive to say the least. I do have loads worked up with both 52gr BTHP match bullets and the trusty 55gr Gamekings but I have not seen a need to use them yet.

For a coyote at typical calling ranges you could not go wrong with any of the calibers listed. If you plan to do other things with your rifle then the choice of caliber should be based on the intended use. Good luck on your decision.

mt boy

I have a 204 and a 223 and both do a great job I recently just killed my first 2 dog with my 204 using 39gr sierra blitzking and must say was very impressed. the first one was a 38 pound female at 215 yards and it never even took a step when the gun cracked. Second one was a 61 pound male the biggest i have ever killed a about85 yards and the same results itnever moved. On both there was almost 0 fur damage just a 20 cal. bullet hole and no exit. I am veryhappy happy so far and not takeing any thing away from the other three thy are all good calibers .just my 2 pennies.

ShelG

Shoot a 22-250.The Remington 700 VTR is probably the most inexpensive ($600-new) but yet most effective varmit gun on the market. In 22-250 this gun is lethal and will take down any coyote with ease without inflicting maximum damage.