ultimate Yote gun? 223? 204? 22-250?

I was talking with a fellow the other that shoots a lot of coyotes, not a bragger or anything like that, just honest and speaks completely from in the field experience...he is NOT an armchair expert.

He says that the 22 centre fires and the 204 are excellent at killing yotes, but he gets more bang flops with 6mm/243. Even solid bone hits with the 22s can cause spinners that can run short distances into heavy cover that can make recovery difficult.

Based on my experience, I have had similar results. Not always will a 22 shot coyote spin or run, some drop right there, but you will get more instant kills if you go up a caliber size or two.

Just my $.02 worth.
 
For disatance on the dogs look at the Wssm lines. I have the .223 wssm in a Browning A bolt with their medium heavy barrel. Great gun out to 400 yars and then some, but would like thew .243 WSSM for a better ballistic coef. These calibers do like the handloads better than most factory ammo though.
 
Crashman said:
Based on my experience, I have had similar results. Not always will a 22 shot coyote spin or run, some drop right there, but you will get more instant kills if you go up a caliber size or two.
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Absolutely. I use a 243 and have had great success, (I don't keep the pelts). Those running 22-250's usually create acrobatic displays of inhumane hunting. Usually a combination of long range and poor shot placement. Funny to watch :rolleyes: but you really want to put them out of their misery.

OP:
Of the calibers that you listed all work and if you are not hand loading then it doesn't matter which you really get. To make 'long shots' accurately you will need good ammo, then the prices tend to level out between the calibers and manufacturers.

In the field I see a 5:1 ratio of 22-250's as compared to everything else combined. Now I went out and got myself a 22-250 to fit it in:D
 
I've got everything on your list, and everything on the add-ons and joke list as well. (Except the .50 BMG) Throw in the .17 and .22/243 as well. All you really need to about coyote calibers is 22/250.
 
ruger-sniper said:
hey, i'd like to know in your opinions which gun would be the best all around coyote hunting gun and what bullets are worth. Which out of the three is the longest distance shooting also.
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Distance:
Out of the three you mentioned the .204 is arguably the longest, flattest shooting but does not carry as much energy "way out there" as the 22-250. So for hunting coyotes I would make the argument that the 22-250 has the longest "effective" range of the three. If you want to go further, then you think about the .243/6mm.

Bullets
Good factory bullets for 22-250 will range from $20-30 per box of twenty. I use factory Hornady 50g v-max in my 22-250 at $24/box plus tax. Current factory .204 ammo is designed to fragment quickly on varmints like praire dogs. Many using the .204 for coyotes are finding that they need load their own ammo to obtain satisfactory results. Many will say that .223 ammo is more available and cheaper but i've never researched this myself.

All-around
My vote is for the 22-250.

pros: Quick kills and acceptable pelt damage if you place your shots correctly. Ability to take the long shot if necessary. Lots of good factory ammo available.

cons: Hit a bone and you get big holes and/or runaways. Just enough recoil to lose sight of impact.
 
Legs in the Air said:
Distance:
Out of the three you mentioned the .204 is arguably the longest, flattest shooting but does not carry as much energy "way out there" as the 22-250. So for hunting coyotes I would make the argument that the 22-250 has the longest "effective" range of the three. If you want to go further, then you think about the .243/6mm.

Bullets
Good factory bullets for 22-250 will range from $20-30 per box of twenty. I use factory Hornady 50g v-max in my 22-250 at $24/box plus tax. Current factory .204 ammo is designed to fragment quickly on varmints like praire dogs. Many using the .204 for coyotes are finding that they need load their own ammo to obtain satisfactory results. Many will say that .223 ammo is more available and cheaper but i've never researched this myself.

All-around
My vote is for the 22-250.

pros: Quick kills and acceptable pelt damage if you place your shots correctly. Ability to take the long shot if necessary. Lots of good factory ammo available.
cons: Hit a bone and you get big holes and/or runaways. Just enough recoil to lose sight of impact.
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Good post. :cool:
 
6mm rem, simply awesome on long yotes...bucks the wind hits hard and no recoil, and the best thing is you can shoot deer with it too!
 
How far will you be shooting?

Are you worried about saving the pelts?

If you are shooting mostly coyotes at 300ish yards or less and want to save pelts, use the .223 with 50gr V-max. This is the cheapest option as far as ammo goes.

If you are planing on shooting a lot of gophers and small varmints, plus a few coyotes here and there, out to 300ish yards, then the .204 is a great cartridge (especially if you reload).

If you are shooting out to 400+ yards, use the .22-250 with 50gr V-max. I've had 90% DRT with this combination (they do NOT run away from a proper hit with this combo).


If you don't care about the pelts and don't mind a little extra cost, or if you plan on shooting them out to 500+ yards, then the .243 or .25-06 with just about any expanding bullet is a great choice. The 100gr BT in the .25-06 is pretty hard to beat for a long-range coyote slammer.
 
I'm glad the 25-06 was mentioned. I just traded up from a .223 and planned on using the 25-06 for the dogs. I figured it would be a good all around caliber.
 
Shrek said:
.375 h+h
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Sure, why not? This is coyote's out of town cousin.

2006_0305Teepee0067.jpg
 
My favorite coyote/wolf hunting/calling cartridge is a 22-250 but I also have a 223 and a 6mm-284...

I usually grab the 22-250 when heading out though.
 
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