Coyote calibre

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Falcon77

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I'm sure this question or something similar has been asked before but I want some opinions.

I've been using my .243 as my main coyote gun but I think I want to downsize to a .204 to be more "fur friendly". I got the .243 because I'm my area there are lots of wolf as well so I though I could use it as a wolf/coyote gun but I'd rather me or my hunting partner just bring a .270 or bigger for the wolves from now on.

I have my Remington 700 VLS .243 for sale or trade at the moment, is it worth downsizing?

Thanks!
 
Shoot a 260 and cover it all and of course sew with dental floss.

I never felt like .204 was adequate although many do. I never carry less than 243 in overlapped wolf and coyote country and usually a 223 in yote only country.

I like the 6.5 as it has legs enough for woods, ROWs or big farm fields.
 
Erickson5006 said:
For cost effectiveness, id recommend buying lightest bullets that your gun handles accurately, and taking up sewing to patch the holes
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I shoot the 55gr federal premium with the nosler tips, shots great, though I had one bad shot this past season and blew a pretty good hole in the pelt, placement makes a big deference!
 
Ive only shot a couple with my current 243 using 87gr hp and they are pretty tough on fur. Back about 15-20 years ago I shot quite a few with my 6mm rem using 100 core lokts and surprisingly they were quite easy on hides. I myself would try to find a different bullet for the 243 especially when possibly running across wolves. I'm sure the 204 would handle them quite well, I would just prefer that little more umph.
 
Since I'll always be with a hunting partner, one of us will carry a higher calibre for the wolf, I do love my .243 it's just the possibility of pelt damage that pushes me towards the 204.

I have heard of the bigger bullets actually doing less damage than the small polymer tipped ones as well.
 
Last year i was using 55gr nosler ballistic tip, in a 22250 with e4.5 grains of imr4064. Everytime there was a small hole, only five ten mins about to sew them, but not very many got away when they were hit.
 
So this again is where I get unsure, because I have considered 223, 22-250 and 204. Though from what I understand 204 would cause less damage and is fairly good out to 300ish yards some may have pushed it farther I'm sure.
 
If you going to start pushing distance the 22-250 might be a better option. Heavier bullet choices...less wind drift.
 
Falcon77 said:
I'm sure this question or something similar has been asked before but I want some opinions.

I've been using my .243 as my main coyote gun but I think I want to downsize to a .204 to be more "fur friendly". I got the .243 because I'm my area there are lots of wolf as well so I though I could use it as a wolf/coyote gun but I'd rather me or my hunting partner just bring a .270 or bigger for the wolves from now on.

I have my Remington 700 VLS .243 for sale or trade at the moment, is it worth downsizing?

Thanks!
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I stick with a .243Win as my "go-to" for varmint/predator. Depending on where I'm hunting Deer,I even load it heavier and use it for them,too.
 
I harvest between 30 - 40 coyotes a year with my 204. Longest ranged shot was 365 yards. I tried different bullets and now only load 40 gr. Vmax. Clean kills with very little damage to the fur... usually no exit wound. Most of my shots are 150 yards or less.
 
vmax204 said:
I harvest between 30 - 40 coyotes a year with my 204. Longest ranged shot was 365 yards. I tried different bullets and now only load 40 gr. Vmax. Clean kills with very little damage to the fur... usually no exit wound. Most of my shots are 150 yards or less.
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And this right here is why I'm wanting to switch to a 204. I feel like I'm pretty set on switching over. Just need to sell this 243 now!!

What rifle are you using anyways?
 
Falcon77 said:
I shoot the 55gr federal premium with the nosler tips, shots great, though I had one bad shot this past season and blew a pretty good hole in the pelt, placement makes a big deference!
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Another option might be to switch to a more frangible bullet like a varmint grenade or varmageddon, that would really come apart inside and prevent an exit hole.

Just a thought.
 
Falcon77 said:
I'm sure this question or something similar has been asked before but I want some opinions.

I've been using my .243 as my main coyote gun but I think I want to downsize to a .204 to be more "fur friendly". I got the .243 because I'm my area there are lots of wolf as well so I though I could use it as a wolf/coyote gun but I'd rather me or my hunting partner just bring a .270 or bigger for the wolves from now on.

I have my Remington 700 VLS .243 for sale or trade at the moment, is it worth downsizing?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like you have an issue with the bullet you are using Not the caliber of the rifle. All of the plastic tipped bullets tend to expand violently and do lots of pelt damage. There are two ways to go. You could use a more fragile bullet that will go in the animal blow up and not exit.I have tried these but success has not been that good. The other option is go to a heavier bullet like a 100 gr in the 243 that is designed for deer sized game and the bullet will not mushroom as much and it will do a lot less damage. Better yet Hornady and Speer (there are likely others as well ) make a FMJ bullet for taking fur. No expansion very little pelt damage. If you occasionally come across a wolf you would be better off with your 243 than any of the smaller calibres.
 
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