Coyote Caliber?

The best Caliber is the one you like. You could choose from the .204 all the way up to the .270 and still be legal. The lower Cals are plenty of gun out to the ranges that most hunters are able to hit anything with(appx 300yrds). The beneft of the light rounds .204-.223
is light recoil most times you can see your hits and sound is minimal. The heavier cals will provide more noise and recoil but buck the wind better and provide undeniable killing power.

Remember if you don't reload the more common the caliber the more avaliable load offerings will be.... and easier to find. I know it sounds stupid but this isn't the USA and near the end of the season it can be hard to find (your) ammo within reasonalble distance of home. Just things to Consider.

ps. I started hunting coyotes with a .270 went to the .243 (as a dual purpose still use it.) but I'm now considering the .223 as a new purchase. I'd like to see the bullet wack a couple and my hearing isn't getting any better!! :)

Enjoy your search.
 
cdn1canhunt said:
The best Caliber is the one you like. You could choose from the .204 all the way up to the .270 and still be legal. The lower Cals are plenty of gun out to the ranges that most hunters are able to hit anything with(appx 300yrds). The beneft of the light rounds .204-.223
is light recoil most times you can see your hits and sound is minimal. The heavier cals will provide more noise and recoil but buck the wind better and provide undeniable killing power.

Remember if you don't reload the more common the caliber the more avaliable load offerings will be.... and easier to find. I know it sounds stupid but this isn't the USA and near the end of the season it can be hard to find (your) ammo within reasonalble distance of home. Just things to Consider.

ps. I started hunting coyotes with a .270 went to the .243 (as a dual purpose still use it.) but I'm now considering the .223 as a new purchase. I'd like to see the bullet wack a couple and my hearing isn't getting any better!! :)

Enjoy your search.
Click to expand...

Half the fun of getting a new gun is the research. The only problem i have now is that i want one of each to see what i like!:D
 
caboverbobby said:
The only problem i have now is that i want one of each to see what i like!:D
Click to expand...

Ain't that the truth. I started thinking I'd get a 22-250. It's been one of those calibers that I've always wanted. Now it doing more research I think I've settled on a .223. Cheaper to shoot at the range, and would reach anything I'll be using it for any time soon. But that brings up options too. Do I get the long barrel slow twist, or a shorter barrel faster twist? Synthetic stock, or laminate? Or, buy the one with synthetic and get a Boyd's for 2 stock option? That seems to be what I'm deciding on now. Maybe EE can provide some used guns so I can try them all :D
 
2tall2 said:
Ain't that the truth. I started thinking I'd get a 22-250. It's been one of those calibers that I've always wanted. Now it doing more research I think I've settled on a .223. Cheaper to shoot at the range, and would reach anything I'll be using it for any time soon. But that brings up options too. Do I get the long barrel slow twist, or a shorter barrel faster twist? Synthetic stock, or laminate? Or, buy the one with synthetic and get a Boyd's for 2 stock option? That seems to be what I'm deciding on now. Maybe EE can provide some used guns so I can try them all :D
Click to expand...

Buy one of each?:rockOn:
 
Cabby,

With the 223, you may want to look into the rifle twist of the particular model you are purchasing. I have experience with the T3 (1:8), a Remington 1:12, an a Ruger 1:9.

I found for the smaller bullets (including the cheap 45 gr white box Winny stuff) the slower twist of the Remington provides the best grouping. It is a tack driver with 40 and 50 grain v-max bullets. The T3 and Ruger are not as good (notwithstanding the ardent T3 lovers out there whom shoot through the eye of a needle at 300 yards with a white box of ammo their T3).

The 55 grainers are a hit an miss, as they are on the threshold, and it will depend on the brand and bullet type.

The T3 and surprisingly, my Ruger Mini shoot very well with 64 and 68 grain bullets - due to the faster twist of the rifling in the barrel.

Just a point of consideration
 
Sobo, you seem to have experience with a good variety. Which is the most accurate and longest reaching? Or is it a compromise either way depending on the bullets?

My .223 short list came down to
Remington 700 VLS 26" barrel 1 - 12" twist
Remington SPS Tactical 20" barrel 1 - 9"

Or possibly a Mini 14 Target 22" 1 - 9" only because one came up on EE, and now somewhat intrigued by it. But I understand the accuracy may not equal a bolt action without some tuning.

Maybe I really do need more than one :D
 
I am not intending to hijack this thread.

That being said, I do have experience with a number of 223's as it is one of my favorite rounds to shoot. For Alberta coyotes (I am an avid varminter) the 223 is not my choice because I have had too many get up and run into the bush to die after being solidly hit in the lungs/chest areas (yup, I found a few) at greater than 150 yards. My goto is the 243. I just do not like the limited range (in terms of terminal performance) the 223 delivers compared to the 243. A 270 will work just fine, but with more powder, boom and excessive energy. Pictured below is my 243 - Savage Predator Max 1

Picture-1.jpg


That being said, you asked very specifically about a number of rifle types.

Picture001-10.jpg


My Remington is an SPS with a Hogue stock and the barrel is free floating 1:12 twist. I experimented with quite a few loads, but found that the 40 and 50 grain v-max's were the best. That rifle will consistently (on a calm day, controlled breathing) clover leaf the 50 gr moly's. Noslers are about 1.0 to 1.5 MOA.

My Ruger (1:9 twist) best groups the 64 grain bullets. I previously owned a target model and got rid of it because I was very unhappy with the huge differences that thing would shift the grouping of different ammo (I'm talking top to bottom corners of targets from Nosler to white box). The group size themselves were average, at best, nothing to write home about.

Picture001-19.jpg


The Tikka (T3) is my son's. It has the fastest twist (1:8) and 22" barrel. The light bullets do not get good groupings at 100 yards (about 1.25" to 2.5" at 100 yards) and that is loaded and factory bullets. That is not good enough for my hunting goals. 55 grainers are average at best with about 1.5 ". It is very tight with the 68 grain bullets and spectacular with the 69 gr Sierra Matchkings.

With the rifles you mentioned, it will come down to the type of hunting you will be doing. If you are going to do multiple setups, shooting sticks and walk large distances, you may want to consider the slightly lighter SPS tactical, after working up some loads.

The VLS is a heavy barrelled rifle which I find quite top heavy and I prefer to shoot gophers using a Harris swivel bi-pod and a hilltop/mat or Jeep hood. For any kind of walking, it is a bit of a nuisance. It is by far, the best tack driver I have ever owned.

Give careful consideration to the Ruger Target. I get much better results with my Ranch - with the Butler Creek stock than I ever did with the Target.
 
My Sako A7 in a 243 is shooting .4" groupings at 100yds with 70gr nosler bt 46.8gr imr 4350 reloads. Not shooting 5 shot moa guarantee's like factory warranty has, but 8 shot groupings @ .4.

bad year for "yotes"
 
Well, I'm stuck in my ways...I like the 40 and 50 gr V-Max's.

I just bought a new Weatherby S2 with the synth stock in 223. It also has the 1:12 twist and is noticeably lighter and more balanced. It shoots those pills with 3/4" groups. Still working up a load, but looks like it wants a wee bit more powder than my SPS Varmint. Pics to follow once I am happy.

To answer your question directly, for the lighter, straighter shooting bullets, I prefer the 1:12 twist for the 223.
 
For Coyotes at 300y and below I use a Savage Model 10PC in .223 here in central SK. I think what ever caliber you thoose look at the Savage Model 10 Predator Max1's, lots of bang for your buck. Pun intended!!! I'm looking at maybe one in .260 for a long range varmint\medium big game option. The .223, 22-250 & .243 all great choices, you'll do fine with any of them.
 
SuperCub said:
Buy a sporter weight rifle and go with a 3x9 or 4x12. Big and heavy gets to be a drag pretty quick.

My 22/250 wears a 2x7.

006-6.jpg
Click to expand...

X2! .223 if money is tight, .22-250 if it isn't or you'll be regularly taking shots beyond 300 yards. I've got rifles chambered in both, lately the. 223 gets a lot more use. The latter is much more fur friendly and economical to shoot.

Buy the best glass you can afford, but don't get silly in terms of magnification if this is to be a walking varmint rifle. A compact 2-7X36 or 40mm, 3-9X40mm is plenty. A 4-12X40mm would be the upper limit. Probably my favorite is Leupold's VX-3 2.5-8X36mm. Great glass, enough magnification for most circumstances, not too heavy and size-wise matches most light sporter profile rifles.

Don't buy a cheap or inexpensive scope. You'll regret it and end up spending more money, because you'll end up buying two scopes.
 
sobo4303 said:
Well, I'm stuck in my ways...I like the 40 and 50 gr V-Max's.

I just bought a new Weatherby S2 with the synth stock in 223. It also has the 1:12 twist and is noticeably lighter and more balanced. It shoots those pills with 3/4" groups. Still working up a load, but looks like it wants a wee bit more powder than my SPS Varmint. Pics to follow once I am happy.

To answer your question directly, for the lighter, straighter shooting bullets, I prefer the 1:12 twist for the 223.
Click to expand...

i have a vanguard varmint special in .223, and just started hand loading, i made some loads up with 24.3 gn H335 with 55 gn nosler, and 55 gn vmax's... i managed some groups UNDER 1/4" at 100 yards with it.... they shoot excellent up to 500 yards for me.
 
Thanks ginnz.

I am working with the 40 gr and 50 gr vmax's right now. Hoping to get to the range in the next few days. For the gophers and little varmints, I really like that little pill's performance with my Remington and now the S2.
 
brianzchuk** said:
For Coyotes at 300y and below I use a Savage Model 10PC in .223 here in central SK. I think what ever caliber you thoose look at the Savage Model 10 Predator Max1's, lots of bang for your buck. Pun intended!!! I'm looking at maybe one in .260 for a long range varmint\medium big game option. The .223, 22-250 & .243 all great choices, you'll do fine with any of them.
Click to expand...

I bought a Stevens .243 from a fellow member, currently looking at a Bushnell and leupold scopes in 4-12x40
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom