best coyote gun

T

twidds

New member
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
Location
Meadow Lake SK
I am in the market for a gun for coyotes what is the beat caliber? I hear lots about the 204, 223 and the 22-250, all of them seem like a fairly decent choice and the only arguments are based on personal preference.
 
You'll probably get a lot of different opinions, but you're right, it comes down to personal preference and how you intend to hunt coyotes. Do you plan on keeping the pelts? If so, the 204, 223, 222, etc, would be good choices. Will you be calling? You may not need a rifle with as much range if you do. A 243 or 25-06 will hammer them way out there, but might leave a lot of pelt damage.
 
Centerfire from the .22 family.
Gives you lots of flexibility for bullets, range and windage if needed.
If you want to keep the pelt I hear good things about 40gr varmint bullets. They make a small hole but dont exit.

Never heard a bad thing about the 204, but not as main streem yet. Lots of brass for the 223 and easy to find. 22-250 and 220 swift really have some get up and go to them. Both can be loaded down, but if you load down a 220 swift you may as well get a 22-250.

I use a 22-250, and I really want to try out the new line of bullets from Barnes called the Varmint Gernades.
w w w.barnesbullets.com/products/coming-in-2008/new-varmint-grenade/
 
like Scott said it depends on why you're hunting them. For fur, a 17 caliber or 204, maybe 223 is good. Low fur damage with most loads. For killing them, pest control, anything works, and its hard to beat a 243 or 25-06
 
What ever you already have!.....but if you want an excuse to buy another rifle then any gun in the .22 family will work well.

I use a Savage modle 10 predator in .22-250 and love it!
 
And I'll say it again - a .243 with "grenades" or Varminators, 55 - 58 grs will match almost any .22 centerfire for speed and trajectory, do generally minimal pelt damage, and buck the wind better. Combined with it's deer-sized game capability it's a heck of a cartridge. I'll give that the .22-.250 is a whole lot of fun, especially on prairie dogs at ridiculous distances and I've never used a .204 so I can't say. I sold my 22-250 a while back, missed it badly, then discovered the 58 gr Varminator for my .243 so I don't miss the littler caliber any more at all!
 
Called in my first "double" today :D. .223 Rem - 45gr. Winchester JHP. I dropped them off for the Hutterites, couldn't find an entry hole nor an exit hole, just some blood in the mouth area. The rifle is a cheap Stevens 200 with a cheap Bushnell Trophy. Inexpensive rig with inexpensive bullets did a superb job.
 
"Which do you like better, though: grenades or varminators?"

Cyclone: Prefer the Varminators for only one reason - price. Grenades are pretty much the same bullet and the higher price is no doubt the reason they don't make the Varminator any more
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom