canadaman30
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Far from the City
270 winchester...
Coyote Rifle - .223 or .243
- Thread starter -Doug-
- Start date
270 winchester...
burnt_servo
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- right in the middle of b.c.
given the cost of ammo , i'd go 7.62x39 in a nice bolt action
.243 far more flexible round. Can load light bullets for the smaller critters all the way up to mid size game, and even a capable long range target round with decent bullet selection. Both are capable for what your looking for. Personally i like the flexibility of the .243 vs .223.
If i was just sticking to Coyotes or smaller game and punching paper id go with 22-250 or 204 ruger as both shoot flatter, cost less to reload and are excellent varmint rounds.
I have a .243 for coyote and deer but just bought a 17wsm for all my varmint needs from gophers to coyotes out to 225-250yards. Mainly to bridge the gap from .22lr to .243 and not have to reload but still get decent performance. Since i rarely have shots over 200yards it makes sense for me.
If i was just sticking to Coyotes or smaller game and punching paper id go with 22-250 or 204 ruger as both shoot flatter, cost less to reload and are excellent varmint rounds.
I have a .243 for coyote and deer but just bought a 17wsm for all my varmint needs from gophers to coyotes out to 225-250yards. Mainly to bridge the gap from .22lr to .243 and not have to reload but still get decent performance. Since i rarely have shots over 200yards it makes sense for me.
Where’s all your pics????
A former neighbor of mine got 3 in one day from a tractor with his old 222 Sako. Working the field disturbs the mice and every now and then the coyotes ignore the tractor and start to follow fairly close. Basically one strategy is you can leave your working rpm set for when you push in the clutch to stop and as long as you're far enough away from them when you stop, sometimes it takes them a few seconds before they notice and take off. So ya nice shooting!
Ammunition will be half the price. Less recoil as well…
- Location
- Quebec city
I may have a CZ 557 Sporter in .243 to let go. Upgraded to 6.5X55 for yotes.
223 makes a little less noise, sometimes that can help you get access to properties to hunt. I've been asked to please use nothing larger than a 223 on some properties. Talk with the land owner about any preferences they may have. I would start with a 223 and then later you'll find out if you have an actual use for a 243 in the field or not but eventually consider one anyways because either way you are gonna need something to shoot at the range while you're waiting for the 223 to cool off.
DancesWithEmptyCasings
CGN Regular
- Location
- The Wet Coast
With 223 being cheaper and for some reason more available. You will shoot more and improve your ability to harvest those critters.
thatmikeguy
Regular
- Location
- Steinbach, Manitoba
223 is a great coyote caliber. I've shot 2 coyotes and ones fox with a 223 loaded with 55 grain vmax so not a ton of experience for me but it did work perfectly. I also managed to shoot a bird from 350 yards. I've switched to 243 for versatility. I can load light bullets for 22-250 like performance or load heavies for deer. I reload so ammo cost isn't a big deal. If safety was an issue in certain hunting areas then 223 would be better but the 243 way outperforms it and is far more useful. If you like heavier bullets the 243 has better options. There isn't much available for 223 hunting ammo above 60 grains. Where I live I haven't seen much cost difference between 223 and 243 ammo although I suspect it's more likely to find cheaper 223 ammo BUT if you want premium ammo then I suspect the 223 will cost similar to 243. I can't remember any prices on 223 hunting loads but I do remember seeing match ammo for $50/box. My 243 deer ammo was $35/box.
Thirsty_Fox
Regular
- Location
- Eastern Ontario
I've been thinking of a 243 for double duty (coyote and deer) but starting to think 17 WSM might be nice to have instead, and stick with 6.5x55 or 308 for deer. I don't suspect my distances will ever be beyond 250 yards anyways.
I would not be counting on the 17 WSM for Coyotes out to 250 yards. You want a clean kill. .222/.223 minimum IMO. .243 will work fine loaded with light bullets and heavy bullets; but so does the 6.5 x 55 witch shoots to about the same point of aim with 85 gr all the way up to 156 grain at an Inch high at 100 yards, so they should all be around 3" low at 300 yards. Nice feature as you can just grab the right ammo for the job and go without re-sighting.
Keeping the fur? 6.5 CM will do also if not keeping the fur or shooting distance. For 300 and under 22-250 just put the cross hairs on fur and drop it.
If given a choice ill always use the larger cal. If restricted because I want to keep fur or have limited distance to shoot ect. Sure go smaller. Its kinda up to you tbh.
If given a choice ill always use the larger cal. If restricted because I want to keep fur or have limited distance to shoot ect. Sure go smaller. Its kinda up to you tbh.
Shot plenty of coyotes, but never with a 243. I favor the 6mm Remington and the 220 Swift.
A 55 grain 6mm bullet at 4200, or a 52 grain .224 bullet at 4000+ are very persuasive on
coyotes [and bigger dogs too] right out to 500M. 243 does not give up a lot to the Swift, so
should work well. It would be my choice over the 223. Dave.
A 55 grain 6mm bullet at 4200, or a 52 grain .224 bullet at 4000+ are very persuasive on
coyotes [and bigger dogs too] right out to 500M. 243 does not give up a lot to the Swift, so
should work well. It would be my choice over the 223. Dave.
