What caliber do you like for predator/ varmint hunting?

[Phidelt208]

I’ve taken lots of predators with 556/223 recently I’ve been using heavy bullets in a 6 ARC and that knocks them down crazy fast way out there. Both rounds have been phenomenal for me.

 

[Wiscodoghunter]

I think they are certainly worth trying. Sorry for not having a better response to the hide damage question. I’m just looking for controlling some predator numbers in my deer and antelope areas.

No worries

 

[ManOfSteel]

62gr Federal Fusions do the job for me out of this LWRC SBR as well as my Tikka 223 Varmint.

 

[sportsmans challenge]

Now 22 arc (22 grendel) out there, if you are looking for a fun a.r. set up for guys looking for something to play with.

 

[AKG]

I don't chase coyotes nearly as much as I used to, here's my opinion on combinations I've used or still use.

22 wmr hp and accurip ammo out of a Ruger 10-22mag : rimfire 22 was required for night hunting in MI years back. It worked but was range limited and underpowered switched as soon as it was legal it was good on fur and foxes though.

Benelli SBE shooting 3.5" #4 buck, was good coyote medicine out to 60+ yards, I've tried 00 buck but patterns weren't great at longer ranges in mine.

223 in 16" Ruger r-15 ar platform 3-9 vx3 w/ holo site on 45 degree mount shooting 55 grain hp and soft points: pretty decent, didn't always put them down with authority, changed it up to faster and more accurate rifles for flatter trajectory in prairie and pasture states.

Baikal combo gun 12ga over 223 w Leupold 1-4 variable scope. I never got the pattern density as tight as I preferred for a coyote shotgun, though I probably should have tried more shot shell varieties. The 223 barrel on bottom made for a tight fit for reloading the rifle with gloves on. I did manage a couple doubles (2 coyotes with the rifle and a shotgunned bobcat with rifles coyote another) on critters while calling in addition to plenty of other singles. Decided to sell it after a coyote tournament when I tried shotgunning a coyote with 00 buckshot at 45 yards or so and missed, coyote tracks in the snow were right in the middle of my pattern and I was able to count all the buckshot tracks in the snow to account for the miss.

204 Tikka t3 with 32 grain vmax, tended to be splashy at a time when I was selling furs and required some follow ups after the splashes, blew around in the wind at distance, rip a fox in half.

243 savage with 58 grain vmax, much more authority than the 204 vmax combo, still some splashes. Changed to 75 grain vmax which was a better combo for me.

6.5 creedmoor with 143 eldx, decided it required too much ranging and dialing for calling for my taste.

Revisited the 204 but with 32 grain nosler ballistic tips, better performance than the vmax's no splashes that I recall and not really any exits.

Sako rihimaki in 20 vartarg with 32 grain vmax, fun gun to shoot, put coyotes down ok but magazine feeding tended to be a bit finicky so I didn't use it too often for calling, didn't get the splashes like I did with the 204 vmaxes.

Savage bmag 17 wsm with 20 grain ammo- only a few coyotes, neck shot was like lightning, lung shots were runners requiring tracking.

Tikka t3 6.5prc w/127 lrx, hammered coyotes generally about golf ball sized exits but potential to make a mess on larger bone.

Recent trip I tried a Tikka t3x with 77 tmk just glassing from hilltops in the morning, it smacked a few coyotes nicely, limited to no exits on broadside shots at ranges between 250 and 350 yards, no closer shots to analyze. Couple of the 77 tmk coyotes photos attached.

 

[dirtytough]

Recent trip I tried a Tikka t3x with 77 tmk just glassing from hilltops in the morning, it smacked a few coyotes nicely, limited to no exits on broadside shots at ranges between 250 and 350 yards, no closer shots to analyze. Couple of the 77 tmk coyotes photos attached.

No way! I just read a thread that said the 77 tmk produces 16"+ of penetration.

 

[aer21]

I’ve been really happy with a .17-204. 30gr Blackhole Bullets with enough Varget to get around 4000fps. This is for fur, no sewing usually.

 

[AKG]

No way! I just read a thread that said the 77 tmk produces 16"+ of penetration.

That thread is what spurred me to pick up the 8 twist 22-250 and load the 77 tmk's up for it. 3106 fps average for the load. My brother picked up a Ruger American 22-250 about the same time and is trying 55 grain vmax in it. I was bragging up all the reviews on the tmk's deer hunting credentials when we were loading and testing loads for the rifles this fall.

 

[dirtytough]

Definitely interesting seeing your results.

 

[AKG]

Definitely interesting seeing your results.

Third coyote with the 77 tmk attached. Messed up the range a bit by hitting near side pond dam vs far side coyote was standing on with the rangefinder. Shot hit topside of elbow so above sternum line. Coyote dropped but started flopping, 2nd and 3rd shots jaw and chest. I didn't take a picture of the other (entrance) side, but the hide while bloody was surprisingly fine for the shot count and was skinned. One of the others was skinned and one wasn't due to short mange regrowth not visible in the photo.

 

[rlsmith1]

If I could only pick one it would be a 6mm. Creed in a bolt gun or ARC in an AR

 

[dlskinner762]

I like using .223/5.56 when targeting predators .. I use whatever I have when one comes along!

 

[Southfork]

My varmint rifle is a bit of a budget setup. Howa 1500 in 22-250. I think about all I’ve ever ran through it was 40 grain Winchester white box.

 

[sportsmans challenge]

Still today I am running .224, today is the 22 creedmoor 18" with a 69 tmk playing with the 62 eld vt.

Still just can't come to swap to .20 cal

 

[CentralFLMike]

I carry a .260 a lot while deer hunting, so it gets double-duty when coyotes show up.
I'll use the .25-06 at distance over a gut pile.

 

[brockel]

Still today I am running .224, today is the 22 creedmoor 18" with a 69 tmk playing with the 62 eld vt.

Still just can't come to swap to .20 cal

What velocity are you getting with the TMK and Eld vt? Just picked up my 18” 22 creedmoor last week and haven’t had a chance to play with it yet

 

[sportsmans challenge]

What velocity are you getting with the TMK and Eld vt? Just picked up my 18” 22 creedmoor last week and haven’t had a chance to play with it yet

I am running 69 tmk at about 3480 and 62 eld vt at about 3620 all on alpha srp brass 450 primer and varget.

The group below is 3 shots of tmk at 200 yards checking before throwing the thermal on for the night hunt.

 

[rlenz]

6.5 grendel with 100g Barnes have worked well for me for coyotes, hogs and deer out too 150 yards. I run out of field after that

 

[brockel]

I am running 69 tmk at about 3480 and 62 eld vt at about 3620 all on alpha srp brass 450 primer and varget.

The group below is 3 shots of tmk at 200 yards checking before throwing the thermal on for the night hunt.

Be curious how the 62 Eld vt works on coyotes as far as being fur friendly or not

 

[sportsmans challenge]

Be curious how the 62 Eld vt works on coyotes as far as being fur friendly or not

So far I don't have a ton of samples, but it's 50/50 on this trip