best caliber for coyotes?

DuckDogDr

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Aug 24, 2019
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748
I love my 204.
Just bought a 220 swift for grins and giggles but fast and flat shooting is the ticket

My Dad uses his 22-250 for everything though
 
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SpringM1A

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 28, 2018
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129
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NV
I had a holographic sight on two .223's and started missing easy shots. Found out there was a recall on them for POI shifts. The manufacturer very admirably bought them back and I went with Firedot Leupold VX-6 in 2-12. Have seen a noticeable tightening of groups on paper, one ragged hole now! That's good enough for me, I'm using scopes from here on out. I live in the west, and the .223 suppressed shooting 60gr V-Max with a scope seems like an ideal combination for my territory
 
Joined
Oct 3, 2017
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Mid-MO
I day and night hunt with thermals all over Missouri and I have not found a need to go beyond using 223/5.56 with 55gr polymer tip or hollow point. Taking proper shots under 200 yards with a decent shot will generally do the trick.
 

scottprice

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 28, 2018
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117
Location
Pennsylvania
I have used a lot of different rifles chasing coyotes (17hmr, 204,223, 243, 2506) and have settled on the 6mm creedmoor shooting 108gr eldms. I got tired of the wind blowing low bc bullets all over the place on those coyotes that hang up out there a ways.

I shoot a Bergara Premier approach with a Leupold VX5HD 3-15x56. Best coyote set up i have ever owned.
How is it on fur??
 

mtg

FNG
Joined
Sep 24, 2024
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I’ve shot em with 22-250 (most preferred, most stock notches), 270, 308, and 12ga. Coyotes are not that fussy! Ha!
 
Joined
May 26, 2023
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My favorite overall for killing coyotes is my 22-250AI pushing 75gr bullet 3500 fps. Shoots flat and fast, hits hard but can be a bit tough on fur. With current prices I haven’t worried much about that lately.
My buddy shoots a 243 with a 55gr bullet that has yet to exit on a proper placed shot.
 

Gstew1930

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Jan 28, 2023
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22 creed shooting 62 ELD-VT is amazing if you're not saving pelts. the damage is pretty brutal
 
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D Lee

Lil-Rokslider
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Jan 4, 2014
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112
Read every post. Not a single bad recommendation. Just me now, here's my favorite....

NE Herd Bull,
That is very good idea. Even though you have varmit rifles,you choose to use your deer/elk rifle which,obviously,is more than adequate.

What deer/elk rifle do you use???

Top Dog
My current go-to is a Montana X3 Extreme (sadly no-longer in production) in 300WM, Leupold VX5HD
Seems to my memory that gun has taken elk, deer, bighorn sheep, oryx and perhaps a few dozen coyotes.

I have a custom 7saum in the works, so I might be changing to a new favorite horse in 2022.

In the Deed
The Glory
________________________________

I concur wholeheartedly for the reasons he gave. In my case: .308 Win - Tikka UPR - 24" bbl - Leupold VX5 HD. I'm way beyond OCD on accuracy and this rifle is capable of 1 tiny hole 5 shot groups @ 100. Sub MOA holds as ranges increase.

So.......is the .308 the # 1 best Wiley cartridge? Probably not. Nor is the 300 Win. Will they work, dependably, out to all sane hunting distances? 24/7/365.

I sold my .243 - arguably THE best WILEY cartridge - to gain more proficiency with my 30 cal rifles. Haven't regretted that decision. With its advantages and disadvantages, the .308 brings some long range challenges to the table. I welcome those challenges AND the rewards that come with my successes. :) As has been said many times in this thread...to each his own.

Cheers.
 

TheGDog

WKR
Joined
Jun 12, 2020
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OC, CA
I have used a lot of different rifles chasing coyotes (17hmr, 204,223, 243, 2506) and have settled on the 6mm creedmoor shooting 108gr eldms. I got tired of the wind blowing low bc bullets all over the place on those coyotes that hang up out there a ways.

I shoot a Bergara Premier approach with a Leupold VX5HD 3-15x56. Best coyote set up i have ever owned.
QUESTIONS Specifically re: 17 HMR and 'Yotes. If shot opportunities are engineered to 35yds tops... it should be fine for standard double-lung, or frontal into chest shot, right? Not like I need to try to be headshots ony, right? Just asking because haven't taken 'em w/ .17 HMR yet. (.223 Rem & 12ga #2, or #4 HEVI-BISMUTH 3.5" (Found some 3.5" #1 shot y'day! Oof price stings though, but they work well!) But I do carry the .17 HMR sometimes for that purpose. Then if Ground Squirrels show up... I don't feel bad about expending pricey .223 Rem's, instead the .17 HMR 15.5gr NTX load has worked awesome on squeeks!
 
Joined
Feb 26, 2018
Messages
610
Location
Nebraska
QUESTIONS Specifically re: 17 HMR and 'Yotes. If shot opportunities are engineered to 35yds tops... it should be fine for standard double-lung, or frontal into chest shot, right? Not like I need to try to be headshots ony, right? Just asking because haven't taken 'em w/ .17 HMR yet. (.223 Rem & 12ga #2, or #4 HEVI-BISMUTH 3.5" (Found some 3.5" #1 shot y'day! Oof price stings though, but they work well!) But I do carry the .17 HMR sometimes for that purpose. Then if Ground Squirrels show up... I don't feel bad about expending pricey .223 Rem's, instead the .17 HMR 15.5gr NTX load has worked awesome on squeeks!
I would aim for cns (high shoulder neck junction) vs relying on double lung (less penetration needed). I know that works, never tried a true double lung with the HMR.
 
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