Coyote/deer rifle to fill the gap

[tbrwlf]

6.5x55 or 7x57. Plenty of power 110 gr to 175 gr bullets. No recoil to speak of. Flat shooting, fast shooting. Great all around cartridges.

 

[ShrtRnd]

Currently I run either my 22-250 or .243 for both 'Yotes & Deer. They somewhat over-lap ballistically save for the punch of the .243 at distance & both are capable cals.

Were I to do it all over again I'd keep the 250 and go with one of these choices below. Not that the .243 is lacking by anymeans (thus it remains on my list below). The final nod probably going to the 6.5 Creed as it's been noted as a 260 Rem done right without having to go the extra $$ for the AI version. Personally I don't think you could go wrong with any of the afore-mentioned choices mentioned by members thus far.

.243 Win
6.5x55 Swede
.260 Rem
6.5 Creedmore

 

[a j cave]

My coyote guns are 243s, but for hitting at 600 I would go with a 25-06. I have killed many deer with the 25 and know how well it works. I have shot a few deer,a black bear,and lots of coyotes at around 500 yds with the 25. I have never shot at 600.(it is a long way) The 243 will reach 600 but the 25 has more jam & you want a clean kill. 600 is a long way to go to retrieve a coyote, you don't want it running farther away.

 

[-JD-]

25-06 if practicality is an issue, 6.5x284 or 257wby if you don't mind spending the extra money.

 

[pbonura]

Tradex 6.5x55.

 

[MaxKW]

I had a sweet little 25-284 but it was set up as a sheep rifle and I sold it.

I'm sure it will end up being something in the 243-257 range, if nothing shows up in the EE that I like I might have to build something.

 

[r204]

257 Roberts AI

 

[KDX]

257 Roberts AI

x2. I need to get out more with mine.

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

You figure you can find a place to stretch it's legs out in your area?

x2. I need to get out more with mine.

 

[ApexHunter]

I like .243 win. Kind of a medium power.

 

[Collint2005]

I don't have one but the brother inlaw has a 257 weatherby. Seems like an ultra flat shooting cartridge with enough power to take down just about anything. Expensive to shoot and hard on barrels if you worry about that kind of thing.

 

[kel226]

.257WBY is a Laser!!! Hard on barrels and expensive but great for long range, pronghorn, deer etc.

 

[jeffcarr88]

.223Rem or .243Win

 

[Ranger Dave]

243 or 25-06

 

[Ardent]

.257 Roberts is what I chose for the role. Better deer rifle than the .243, and equally good as the .243 as a coyote rifle. Not as overbore as the .25-06 and .257 Weatherby yet performs identically to the shooter's eyes.

 

[SneakyG]

6.5mm is where its at son. stop with the 257 garbage for long range. There are no good long range bullets in 257. The 6.5 123gr or 140gr AMAX have the BC and the energy to drop yotes at 600 easily.

 

[hawk-i]

How about a 7mm-08?

 

[Huntin' Gun]

6.5mm is where its at son. stop with the 257 garbage for long range. There are no good long range bullets in 257. The 6.5 123gr or 140gr AMAX have the BC and the energy to drop yotes at 600 easily.

This is the correct answer. Something in 6.5x55 or 6.5-06. Hmmmm. There may be something like this for sale up on the EE.

 

[na1lb0hm]

#5

 

[-JD-]

6.5mm is where its at son. stop with the 257 garbage for long range. There are no good long range bullets in 257. The 6.5 123gr or 140gr AMAX have the BC and the energy to drop yotes at 600 easily.

The advantages of a high BC bullet only really start to become noticeable beyond 600 yards or in high winds. For the OP's intended use I wouldn't disclude the .257 cal. based on the lack of high BC bullets.