coyote gun caliber
 

I've been considering a rifle for coyotes. I've been using 12ga. 3"MAG with #4 buckshot. I probably wouldn't get any super long shots. I think a rifle would get me out hunting more in the daytime. I've thought about the usual .223, .22-250, .243, .222, .204 but I thought I'd ask you guys about .220swift or .25-20 . Any thoughts on these calibers? I hunt in NY. Mostly forests, brushlots, and fields. Our season is from Oct. 1st-Mar.27th. I'm not looking for a real expensive gun and I'll probably buy it used. I already have a good scope(on my muzzleloader now) it's a BSA 6-24x with a lighted reticle.

i love my swift, ruger m77 mk II, GREAT YOTE CALIBER, killed alot of deer and hogs with it also. it likes the hornady 55 gr v max, with IMR 4064

Look, anything will kill...go to every store around you and look on the shelves...see what cals all the stores have, and choose from that list. Cheaper the ammo the better too!!!!
Especially when yer using em to plink with.

All of them will do the job..................So, are you a reloader ?

If not, stop by Wal Mart & your local sporting goods stores and see what they always keep in stock & how much they cost.

Both are excellent, practical post!

Thanks guys. I'll stop by some local dealers soon and see what they've got. I'm not a reloader(yet). I'm thinkin of reloading for shotgun too. It took me 2 weeks and 4-5 stores/dealers to track down some #4 buckshot. Until then my dad would probably help me reload with his Dillon Press

Here in NY you really don't need the reach of anything more than the .222 Mag.I use a CZ 527 in .223 which is just a shade slower.Whether you reload or not ammo/components for this round is the lowest of any round suitable for coyotes.It's also very fur friendly if you want to sell the pelts.

I use a power-tuned SamYang 909 .45 air rifle. The ammo costs $90 for 750 shots shipped to my door (that's not even the cheapest source).

If you are looking for a cheap to shoot, short range hunting arm this is it.

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/smal...yote-hunt.html

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/smal...ile-using.html

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/smal...de-oregon.html

you can walk around the shops as you can to figure out which one is the best!

The AR 15 in a 223 is my choice. Fast follow up shots if needed and the accuracy can be uncanny with handloads.

CK

Pic
 

Here is a pic

Attachment 18012

There are lots of different caliber Rifles out there to choose from...thing is You need to decide if Your saving the fur/pelts or not,a larger caliber Rifle will do more damage and if Your wanting to save the hides or even give them away to a Trapper it would be better to use a Rifle with smaller grain bullet or a smaller caliber Rifle.Now I have been using my Browing Bolt-action .243 Rifle with 100 grain Hornady bullets..if I was to drop down to a 60,50,40 or even 35 grain bullet it would reach out further and be easier on the Predator/Varmints fur.I opted to leave my .243 as a back-up Rifle and bought a CZ-USA model 527 "Varmint" in a .204 caliber using a Hornady 40 bullet or might even go with a 35 grain bullet or I heard a 39 grain Sierra Blitz King bullet is more accurate because of the way the bullet is shaped.


Here are a few more Caliber Rifles I feel are just as good for hunting Coyotes,Bobcats,Foxes and so on...!

22-250 Here in Missouri this caliber can be used for Predators,Varmints and Deer.

.243 also for Predators/Varmints and Deer

.223 again Predators/Varmints and Deer

.220 Swift Predators/Varmints (not sure about Deer?)

.204 Ruger Predators/Varmints

.22 Hornet Predators/Varmints

.17 Remington Fireball Predator/Varmint

.17 HMR Predator/Varmints and small game


There's probably other calibers out there I've left out but those are several that I have looked at and considered using to Hunt with.

GTO,

I have the same 2.

.204 & shoot 40gr. V-max

.243 & shoot 75gr. V-max

Just brought a AR platform in 5.56/.223 as a predator walking stick (I was shooting ground squirrels out to 300 yards with it Yesterday).

Plus I have a .17HMR & shoot .17gr. CCI's Hollow Points (but that's for varmints, not predators).

You can make an argument for any of the "classics," .223, .243, 22-250. The first is really affordable to put a lot of rounds down range for practice. The second, bang-flop. The third, somewhere in between. I'd lean toward the .243, as it can serve other purposes, and I own a .22WMR that I can work on shooting form with so cost to operate is less of a factor.

I use a 25/06. works great up close and out.

I do like to save the pelts so I may go for the .243 so that it could double as a deer rifle.I wouldn't expect any super long shots around here unless I were in a corn field or along the river. I hunt alot of brushlots that have some clearings/paths. My dad and brother swear by their .25-06's and they've worked up some sweet loads for them.DEADLY!

Predate....I think the .243 is a very good choice,I have 2 nice 8-Point Bucks on my wall that were taken with my Browning .243 Rifle.Next thing is to find a nice reasonably priced Rifle...I would reccomend You look at the Savage line of Rifles and check around on prices...You'd be surprised out how afforable a new Rifle can be if You check around.The newer Savage Axis (was the Savage Edge) Rifles are available in several Calibers and some even come with a scope package.I priced a Savage Axis in a .223 bolt-action with Camo and the Bushnell 3X9X40mm scope for $359.00 + tax,the plain black composite Rifle with scope was priced at $319.00 + taxes.I also looked into getting the new Savage Light weight Hunter in a .223 also and the Rifle weighs in at around 5 1/2 pounds so its going to be easy to pack around and I believe it will have the Accu-trigger?The Remington Rifles are great too,the Weatherby Vanguards are priced nicely too...shop around compare prices and brands as much as possible.

I usually buy the Millet Scope rings and bases and when it comes to a nice afforable scope with great glass that is good and clear in the early mornings and late evenings when low light can make it difficult to see any Predators or Whitetail Deer You can't beat the Leupold Rifleman 3X9X40mm scopes and right now they are on sale at BPS for the QDM matte black scope with the fine cross-hairs and the 2 lower dots for shooting out further.

Can't beat the 22-250 or 220 Swift for 'Yotes. Been useing them for over 30 yrs and have yet to have a 'yote know the difference or object. I like the 12ga and 4buck at night also. Just short ranged for daylight hrs.

look at the Marlin XS7. they come in 243. they also have like a X7VH thats comes in .22-250 and has a bull barrel i think. the standard xs7 should cost 300

Lotsa' good info guys! thanks! I'll let ya'll know what I come up with.