Opinions on caliber for coyote?

[Joel]

Bingo again....."some deer"

Again 243 is great for deer but the statement 243 is good for deer is incomplete

Know when the lethality of your chosen ammo and gun combination diminishes to the point of no kill

As opposed to what, every deer in the world?

I really didn't think the rifle owner would set out to make Odocoileus virginianus and company extinct! But you're right, perhaps I've assumed and its an important distinction

Let's be uber precise and say "whatever deer he hits solidly in the vitals at that range just like if he were shooting any other rifle at all, really".

 

[djmercer1]

I *think* BC is one of the few places yet where you can use a .22 CF. Most places specify .23 cal or bigger I believe, which in practical terms means some flavour of 6mm rifle.

A lot better choice for bullets and weights for .243 IMO.

Same in NL for big game (caribou, moose and bear) - 100gr, 1500ftlbs and larger than 243; or cl--slugs in shotguns >20ga...

Also, for coyotes on designated coyote license we can use either CF smaller than 225 or shotgun with shot greater than #2 - unless when hunting on either a big game or small game license when we can use firearms permissible for that license.

 

[FatCatsDad]

As opposed to what, every deer in the world?

I really didn't think the rifle owner would set out to make Odocoileus virginianus and company extinct! But you're right, perhaps I've assumed and its an important distinction

Let's be uber precise and say "whatever deer he hits solidly in the vitals at that range just like if he were shooting any other rifle at all, really".

That's how this whole thing started, someone posted 243 was good for deer, and I replied and made a typo and posted 243 was good for deer to 75 yards instead of X75 yards....fill in the x with whatever number you want....then in typical CGN fashion certain members went insane

 

[Joel]

That's how this whole thing started, someone posted 243 was good for deer, and I replied and made a typo and posted 243 was good for deer to 75 yards instead of X75 yards....fill in the x with whatever number you want....then in typical CGN fashion certain members went insane

Looks like everyone is kinda just saying "well of course it has a maximum distance" because no one really saw a need to point out the obvious or specify what that distance was. None of us see the relavence as all.

I mean, you're right. But so does 340 Weatherby. Why would we point that out?

 

[CV32]

Same in NL for big game (caribou, moose and bear) - 100gr, 1500ftlbs and larger than 243; or cl--slugs in shotguns >20ga...

Its important to note that the provision in sect 107(14) of the Wild Life Regulations in NL uses the word "or", rather than the word "and" :

(14) A person shall not hunt, take or kill any big game by means of a rifle smaller than .243 calibre or a rifle using ammunition having a bullet weight of less than 100 grains or a muzzle energy less than 1,500 foot pounds or a shotgun smaller than 20 gauge calibre.

 

[FatCatsDad]

Looks like everyone is kinda just saying "well of course it has a maximum distance" because no one really saw a need to point out the obvious or specify what that distance was. None of us see the relavence as all.

I mean, you're right. But so does 340 Weatherby. Why would we point that out?

Well, because it sounds like the original poster might be newer to guns and hunting and may not realize he can't shoot a 250lb deer at 700 yards with a 243 50gr soft point

 

[Joel]

Well, because it sounds like the original poster might be newer to guns and hunting and may not realize he can't shoot a 250lb deer at 700 yards with a 243 50gr soft point

Ah, if its saying "shoot at coyotes past a certain distance, but not deer" I get ya now. Wee bit slow on that uptake lol

 

[pathfinder76]

Exactly......
When people say 243 is good for deer, the statement needs to be completed with " out to ### yards"

We keep asking you what that limit is. Do tell

 

[Tokay444]

Exactly......
When people say 243 is good for deer, the statement needs to be completed with " out to ### yards"

It’s complete moot. All cartridges have a max terminal range. That goes without saying. So again, I’ll ask, are you willing to stand in front of my 6BR at a mile? STFU.

 

[FatCatsDad]

We keep asking you what that limit is. Do tell

I've easily found several sources for very detailed information from ammunition manufacturers and independent studies where the information is clearly presented.

You are not truly interested and just interested in arguing.
If I say 500 yards you'll just counter with childishness and say you shot one at 501 yards.
So I'll not say a distance.

Hornady spent alot of time and money developing the HITS system and their data is freely available to those that are actually interested in learning.

It's troubling that your recommendation of this caliber comes with zero detailed information that does not take bullet type, barrel length, distance or game size and other factors into account.

 

[tactical lever]

I do agree with what you’re saying, but I think where this went off the rails was in the OPs original statement of intent, where he mentioned wanting to preserve the furs.

I think the problem with these topics they’re generalized in framing and personal in response, and overlooks a few other elements that matter. Choosing the right load is just as important as the right caliber, and knowing the conditions and environment you’re in.

Maybe if you live out in Northern Alberta or somewhere wide open 300WM makes sense. Here in central Ontario I often times struggle to find a safe 100 yards to plink on the farm, but I’m on a brushy rocky hill atop brushy rocky valleys. I use a brush gun because it suits my needs, where a 243 nor a 300 WM wouldn’t.

Yeah, I was specifically responding to the fella that thinks neither a .243 or a .300 mag is a very good deer gun.

All about the bullet used. A .300 WM wouldn't be my first choice for a dual role gun, but it'll work. Work in the brush, too, though it's more lever carbine territory to me.

Read a good article about fox hunting, and the guy had about 20 different rifles he got shooting very well, for killing fox out to 400 yards. Fox was pretty high price, but he used some big rifles to good effect, without tearing up the pelt too bad. I remember a couple were 25-06 (be a good dual purpose gun), and 7mm RM.

 

[FatCatsDad]

It complete moot. All cartridges have a max terminal range. That goes without saying. STFU.

Sure it does, but what that range is needs to be known and stated when making a recommendation

 

[Tokay444]

Sure it does, but what that range is needs to be known and stated when making a recommendation

Says who? You? WTF are you?

 

[FatCatsDad]

Yeah, I was specifically responding to the fella that thinks neither a .243 or a .300 mag is a very good deer gun.

All about the bullet used. A .300 WM wouldn't be my first choice for a dual role gun, but it'll work. Work in the brush, too, though it's more lever carbine territory to me.

Read a good article about fox hunting, and the guy had about 20 different rifles he got shooting very well, for killing fox out to 400 yards. Fox was pretty high price, but he used some big rifles to good effect, without tearing up the pelt too bad. I remember a couple were 25-06 (be a good dual purpose gun), and 7mm RM.

243 just a great deer gun at the distance I use it in.
300 mag has recoil I dislike so I opt for the 308 if I feel the 243 isn't enough.

You can use a 338 for deer , but neither the 300 nor 338 is optimal in my mind

 

[byronick87]

Bingo again....."some deer"

Again 243 is great for deer but the statement 243 is good for deer is incomplete

Know when the lethality of your chosen ammo and gun combination diminishes to the point of no kill

Then where do you draw the line of the 243 being good? From your position, it sounds like it’s barely a sub 100yard fawn killer

 

[FatCatsDad]

Says who? You? WTF are you?

Why would you recommend a caliber without knowing it's effective range.
Perhaps the guy wants to shoot deer at 700 yards.
Your reccomend a 243 which is a good deer caliber, but not at that distance.
How can you give a good recommendation without knowing details if the application

 

[FatCatsDad]

Then where do you draw the line of the 243 being good? From your position, it sounds like it’s barely a sub 100yard fawn killer

Negative, I'll base effective kill shot range based on ammunition manufacturers testing with the bullet type I'm using, along with barrel length.

 

[Joel]

Negative, I'll base effective kill shot range based on ammunition manufacturers testing with the bullet type I'm using, along with barrel length.

Eh, you're right. You're gettin dogpiled over a nothingburger lol

 

[Jesselegend01]

This thread kinda got off topic for the op yes a 243 will work great for deer and coyotes from my experiences

 

[Tokay444]

Why would you recommend a caliber without knowing its effective range.
Perhaps the guy wants to shoot deer at 700 yards.
Your reccomend a 243 which is a good deer caliber, but not at that distance.
How can you give a good recommendation without knowing details if the application

I would say have at it, if you’re confident in your own abilities. I’d have no qualms about taking a shot at a dear with a 100gr bullet at 700 yards.