Coyote calibre

deadeyedyck said:
Imo, for Manitoba coyotes, the 204 is small and weak. I had one for 4 years before i learned that chasing coyotes wasnt fun(and often no recovery). I sold mine before i had the chance to try the 45grn hornadys. I think that would be a bullet to try. But then why not go to the 223 or why not the 22 250?? After my 204 i went to the 243 for the same reason you mentioned, sometimes you may get a wolf to commit.
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Comparing best bullet in each respective caliber, the 204 has less drift and less drop than the .223 and retains better energy to 500M.
 
If I were you I'd stick with the 243 and look at a using a less frangible bullet that won't do as much pelt damage.

If you were going with a lighter calibre then it's very hard to beat a 22-250 as a coyote gun, and some people use fmj bullets to lessen pelt damage. If you don't usually take shots over 300 yds then a .223 is a great coyote cartridge as well.
 
Got Juice? said:
In my particular case, the .204Ruger with the .40gn Vmax works better than the 62's I was using in my 223. IIRC the 204 was 1:12 and the 223 was 1:9 ROT
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How fast were you pushing the 62 gr?
Works better means what? ballistics, terminal ballistics, something else?
 
Uisge said:
I hope the 22 nosler gains some popularity, seems like it could be a decent option once it's established.
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Only available in ARs at the moment, primarily because you can't readily get 22-250 and 243 in semis? It's an answer to a question that wasn't asked. Until it's available in a NR platform in Canada it's a non starter.
 
Falcon77 said:
Bottom line for me is the less pelt damage the better, obviously assuming shot placement is right. It sounds like I'm gonna try out the 204. Is factory 204 ammo that hard to come by? I've heard that mentioned before but never had the calibre so I've never looked for it at the store. I don't reload at the moment but I will hopefully be reloading this year, that's my next step.
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If you buy factory ammo stay away from the 32 gr VMAX stuff...its meant for gophers and crows not coyotes. Find some heavy weight ammo..they used to sell factory 39 gr. BK's and they work well. The .204 shines when a guy can reload for it...if you can't Id opt for a 22-250 as there is more loaded ammo selection.
 
Sounds like your mind is made up but I'd personally save the money that you're going to take a hit on by selling your rifle and getting into a 204 and invest in a basic reloading set up to start loading for your 243. It is a lot more versatile cartridge than a 204 ever could be.

-A
 
The cost of .243 varmint loads was enough to make me jump ship. I now use a 22-250. Still get pelt damage. I'd try the .204 if I was you. A guy in my coyote gang does well with the .204
 
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