Coyote Rifle - .223 or .243

-Doug- said:
So I see lots of reference to the 22-250 and how people like it.
What’s the big selling point to the 22-250?
From a quick search it’s looks like it’s a flat shooting zippy round. Is that the main advantage?
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remington jim said:
Yes it is ! RJ
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I would still have mine except the rifle was just too heavy for practical use. All true, but when reloading, it is not the most fuel efficient caliber; takes a bit more powder to perform as it does.

I've never loved the .223 after having a .22-250; it was a let-down. I use 6.5 x 55; it works very well for all my needs; .243 would be a good choice as well.
 
I would choose the .223 unless you reload.
Cheaper and more widely available ammo (eventually, when ammo price/supply stabilizes), and ideal for the ranges you are hunting at. A moot point for me, but .223 is quieter too if you're one of those people who hunt without hearing protection.

Not sure where you are, but specifically in Ontario you can't use a rifle of greater than .275 cal in certain WMUs (before someone tries to convince you that you need a 300 Win Mag to kill a coyote), and they're considered "furbearing mammals" so technically you're required to preserve the pelt. Some .243 loads do a lot of pelt damage.
 
For purely management, 243 all the way. More punch for when your shot isn't flawlessly placed. I've shot lots with my .222 rem, but without a well placed shot, they won't drop on the spot. Currently I mainly use a .220 swift for the added punch. But if I got a call to do it strictly for.management and nothing else, I'd grab my .260 and never look back. Why? Larger projectile, more punch.
 
My son used to go out coyote shooting with what is now the F & W officer... My son didn't think the .223 was a DRT gun... He had better luck putting them on the ground with an SKS
 
I never shot a coyote however hundreds of fox. Even on the smaller fox I preferred a slightly stronger bullet construction, like something used for Roe deer. My 223 with 50gr hollow points I often had fox not being killed properly if shot from behind. Fox control means shooting centre mass from any angle for me. 69gr in 223 worked very well but the bullet is quite slow out of 20". Not great for quick shots under the lamp at distances up to 300m. The 22-250 with 52-55gr is great for under the lamp but not as good as 69-75gr from a 223 at longer range. So at the moment I have a 22-250 with 1/8 and use 75gr ELDM (3150fps) which is just about perfect in performance, shot fox out to 600yd and today a crow at 480yds in 13mph wind. Fast twist 22-250 are mostly custom jobs and OTT for most, leaving the 243 or similar as an easier choice. For around 2-3 years I used a 20" Remmy 243 with Sierra 80gr SPBT (~3200fps) which is a fantastic bullet, expands well but is not explosive and can also take down Sika Stags in the rut.
One thing though with all of these cartridges, measure muzzle velocity when selecting factory ammo. Some ammo is shockingly slow. I have measured around 2800fps for Fiocchi 50gr Vmax 223, Sako 55gr around 3100fps from a 22-250 22", Sako 70gr under 3000fps from a 243. A well loaded 223 mit be similar to some factory 22-250 loads and not that far off a very slow 243 factory load.
edi
 
I would pick the .223 as I've killed both deer and bear with it. But the .243 is going to be a slightly heavier bullet going faster so should smash yotes harder.

I think these days the ultimate coyote/wolf cartridge is really the .22 Creed, using heavy bullets.
 
Gatehouse said:
I would pick the .223 as I've killed both deer and bear with it. But the .243 is going to be a slightly heavier bullet going faster so should smash yotes harder.

I think these days the ultimate coyote/wolf cartridge is really the .22 Creed, using heavy bullets.
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Well, no one can say you are stuck in the olden ways...pretty sure about that.
 
IvoB said:
you have more ammo choices with the 223 would be my guess but then you will be buying more ammo just to see what your particular gun likes - even though I use a 223 in your case it would be .243 all day long
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That was probably true at one time, but with the prohibition of so many 223 semis will there be a significant demand for 223 ammo anymore? Maybe more clearly asked, what percentage of the market for 223 ammo will remain now that the majority of high-volume shooters are out of the market?
 
Ive played with the 204, 223 and 243 for yotes and the 223 with 69gr TMKs is my favorite of the 3, but I try and save the pelts.

Not saving the pelts.... Right now everything comes down to money for me. If it didnt matter and components were easy to get, 243 is going smash them alot harder (I used 95gr TMKs), as long as you do your part. That to me is the biggest factor over caliber. If money is a big part in all this, then its 223 for me because I like to shoot my rifles alot and get the feel for them and all the DOPE for that rifle.

In the end either rifle will do the job your looking at.
 
My response to the question is very in line with the above post. I’m in the .20 cal camp for saving pelts but have some very fur friendly 223 loads also. If I was dead set on a .22 cal and saving pelts were not a consideration, I’d be going more horse power in a bigger 22. 22-250(AI) or 220 Swift most likely. I ran my 6mm Rem AI pushing 75gr Vmax exclusively for coyotes this year as I wasn’t saving pelts and for just flattening coyotes, I really don’t know if it gets much better. There is no wrong choice here. Both will perform in spades for you OP.
 
I’d go 243. I have not used a 223 on a yote. I have shot them with 22mag 204ruger , 243, 30-30, 30-06 and one with a 375ruger.

243 always dropped them the best. I’ve used TSX and partitions. Hardly any pelt damage.
Even if you don’t want pelts give it to a trapper. At least it goes to
Some good use.
 
My choice for coyotes and deer in open country would be a light bolt rifle in 6x45 with a 16" barrel & 1 in 10 twist. Best of both worlds for us handloaders.
Cheap to load for, great accuracy & barrel life and its simple to run .223 brass through the 6x45 sizer die and be ready to work up loads with.
 
ShrtRnd said:
I’ve done the 22-250, 243 and 204R in my coyote forays

For me the .204R wins out. Flatter and quieter then the 250 (perfect if your near livestock), more fur friendly then the 243 and cheaper on the reloading bench then both.

And.. you get to see it all unfold through the scope cause it’s got no recoil. It’s kinda neat watching little holes appear on paper at the bench or the pink mist on a ‘Yote in the field. it’s basically a hold fur and shot caliber to 400yrds
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BINGO!!!! X2! Love my 204 it gets the nod “most days” the heavy barrel 250 on the windy days!
 
I've hunted and shot them with the 243, 22250, 204 and 223. Between the 2 you mentioned id go 223. Seeing the hits and misses through the scope is worth it. Shoot a good bullet. They are not all created equal. A good tough sp or nosler bt are hell on coyotes from the 223. Better than the softer bullets.
 
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