Best round for Coyote

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northernfarmer

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Hey all, I bought some land recently and there is a massive population of coyotes around that I would like to harvest from. Wondering what the best round/rifle would be to effectively reduce their numbers and bring in some furs while I’m at it.
I have a 6.5x55 Swedish, a .270 and a .22 but might consider getting a .223 or .22 mag for the purpose if I can find one priced right.
 
Pretty much any of the popular 20-22 cal options would be good. 223 and 22-250 would be easiest to find ammo for, and are proven rounds for song dogs. I like my 204 with either 35 Bergers or 39 Blitzkings. Easy of fur and it'll flatten coyotes.
 
Worried about pelts? I mean they're worthless anyway but pick your poison. Ive shot em with everything from 22 hornet to 300 win mag.

223, 22-250 or 243 are my top 3. If your worried about pelts, run a Sierra Gameking (#1365) in a 223 or 22-250 and you wont have a mess. A local guy who has winters off work and shoots 100+ from November to March used to hate a 22-250, always made huge holes. I got him on those 1365's and now he swears by it, no holes and they hit hard. And they're cheap.
 
I had a coyote sneak up on me. End of the set , packin up. Coyote poped out of the bush line 30yards out. Scope was full of fut at 25 zoom . Hit further back in the belly. No exit. I would have never thought at that distance . But, No mess
My 204 ruger loaded with 40gr vmax and 3700ish ..
17 HH with 25gr Berger's is also a nice pelt gun.. flat like a 223, and quite.
Both cz rifles
 
I know the hides are pretty valueless but they are a good starting point for learning the art of skinning/tanning furs. I’m reasonably proficient with deer and sheep so just need to fine tune the skills.
Plus it might give the deer in my neck of the woods a bit of relief from harassment.
 
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The 30 cals are fine for yotes when using lighter weight polycarbonate tipped varmint bullets like the VMax and Ballistic Tips.

I use a 243 with 70gr Ballistic Tips and that thing killed coyotes like the Hammer of Thor.
 
northernfarmer said:
Hey all, I bought some land recently and there is a massive population of coyotes around that I would like to harvest from. Wondering what the best round/rifle would be to effectively reduce their numbers and bring in some furs while I’m at it.
I have a 6.5x55 Swedish, a .270 and a .22 but might consider getting a .223 or .22 mag for the purpose if I can find one priced right.
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The best round/caliber is what your local area/WMU hunting regulations will allow and if your municipal by-law allows discharging a firearm. Do your research so you can hunt worry free.

On my property and area/WMU, discharging a firearm is allowed. Coyote hunting is year round, no limit, and no larger than .275. Outside of deer season my go to round is .223 with a Hornady 55gr SP handload. During deer season it'll be either crossbow or shotgun. My shots are no further than 75 yards max because my property is 90% forest.

Shoot the least expensive around and shoot often.

Have fun.
 
When I hunted them hard my choice was a 243. I’ve hunted them with 17 Rem, hornet,222,223,22-250 & swift but like the 243. If my shots were under 300 yds the 22-250 shined but the 243 was better for me. Try some with your 6.5 and see how it goes. As for skinning the coyote, they stink are covered in fleas and worth little. Congrats on your new place and good luck. AJ
 
I like my heavy barreled. 22 250. I can pretty much see threw the scope the impact, It helped when you had multiple coyotes or had to adjust for running shots. 50 yards and 240 yards are same POI with a 50g bullet. Top of fur at 300-350 yards.

If I'm going bigger than .22 250 I'll just use a .270 and 130g bullet. Deer hunting practice.
 
The 95 gr Vmax option for your 6.5x55SE will of course absolutely flatten coyotes but it is unlikely to be fur friendly if that is a concern.
 
Just Choot Em!

They ain’t hardly worth the price of the bullet, so run what ya brung.

I’m a 22-250 guy if you’re hankering for a new rifle, might be persuaded to .22 Creed, but I already got a 22-250 and a stack of components.

Dithering around worrying about bullets and cartridges ain’t gonna thin the pack none……which you won’t do BTW…..
 
northernfarmer said:
Hey all, I bought some land recently and there is a massive population of coyotes around that I would like to harvest from. Wondering what the best round/rifle would be to effectively reduce their numbers and bring in some furs while I’m at it.
I have a 6.5x55 Swedish, a .270 and a .22 but might consider getting a .223 or .22 mag for the purpose if I can find one priced right.
Click to expand...
Your 270 with 130 grain will work just fine. So will your 6.5.
 
slinkylegs said:
Pretty much any of the popular 20-22 cal options would be good. 223 and 22-250 would be easiest to find ammo for, and are proven rounds for song dogs. I like my 204 with either 35 Bergers or 39 Blitzkings. Easy of fur and it'll flatten coyotes.
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204 Ruger, with 35 grain Berger's is my cartridge and bullet of choice as well. I have used most cartridges from 22lr to 300 RUM for coyotes. Those 35 grain Berger's just perfectly perform, especially at or just over 4000fps. The 40 grain Berger bullets are better for the long range shots, and my second choice of bullet would be the 39 grain Speer TNT, instead of the Sierra.
 
I would use your 6.5x55. I have been with 6.5 creed on weekend and shot 3 and didn’t see any big holes. 2 were angle front shots at 125y and one was running angle broadside at 200y. Was using Hornady 143 edlx
 
Basically anything from 22 centerfire on up. Obviously, range and your ability to shoot accurately are to be taken into consideration. I wouldn't hesitate with my 7x57 or 6.5x55, at 300 yards or less. I am sure many have been taken with 6.5 CM, 308, 30-06 and 303 Brit, but you're probably better off with 22-250 or 223, and more pelt friendly.
 
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