My son is thinking of hunting Yotes next year. What caliber would you recommend. Our area is not what you would call Open plains. Quit a few houses in the area's we live in. I would think all shots would be around 150yds or less.

Thanks...Ed

I PREFER THE .223 but you will probably get many answers on this

150 yards or less, in a somewhat populated area? Sounds like just the job for the 22 Hornet or better yet, the new 17 Hornet. They will drop any coyote that walks out to those ranges with proper shot placement, and both are relatively 'quiet,' at least compared to other rounds. The 221/222/223 are never a bad choice, but slightly noisier, and you would have to pay more attention to pass-throughs or ricochets. The .17 Remington/.17 Fireball would be fine choices as well.

If you go with one of the Hornet cousins, I would stick with the .17 if you don't reload, if you do, either one would be fine. The .22 Hornet generally needs to be handloaded to bring out its potential; both can be loaded at home significantly cheaper than factory loads.

I would shy away from the 22-250/Swift,WSSM if the ranges are to be relatively close. One would be for pelt preservation, though I am not sure if you are keeping pelts so that may not be an issue. Secondly, because of the proximity to housing.

All in all, I will say that a 17 Hornet would be your best bet for what you are going to ask of it.

You're in a semi populated are.

Use a shotgun.
The report is not a obtrusive, and the carryover is negligible at best if you miss.

When you say that there are "quite a few houses in the area," are you meaning there are a lot of houses within 150yrds, or a lot of houses withing a few miles? Big difference.

The .223rem is the king of coyote calibers, but if you're hunting within view of a dozen houses in less than a quarter mile, something a bit less potent may be in order.

6x45 loaded with varmint grenades in populated areas
RR

222 works great. The 22 Hornet also.

+1

50-55gr. V-Max for me.

Thanks guys, I was thinking of the 22 Hornet or 223.

Ed

X2
223 is a good cartridge.