Favorite coyote round
- Thread starter Jayph
- Start date
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
219 Donaldson Wasp is my vote
While my 22 K-Hornet and 222 Remington would be fine for 80% of coyote shots, I have some areas where shots can exceed 450 yards, and that is where my Swift shines. The 50 or 55 Ballistic Tip will anchor them right there and not usually a lot of pelt damage, either. I have used my 6mm Remington, but as noted, the pelt usually suffers. Regards, Eagleye.
My two rifles are a 222 Rem with Handloaded 55gr,bullets and when I really want to reach out I use my 270 win. with 110gr. Hornday V max 48.5gr varget 3,250 fps this load works well when they have run for 4or500yds and stop for that last look over there shoulder.
Last edited:
lucky07
CGN frequent flyer
3" 00 buck out of a full choke does 'em in out to 100 yards.
.222 Rem is nice for long shots but we run hounds so shotguns suit us better 90% of the time.
.222 and .22-250 is what most guys keep in the truck as a standoff ending gun when both sides are tired and stuck in a staring contest in the middle of a field.
.222 Rem is nice for long shots but we run hounds so shotguns suit us better 90% of the time.
.222 and .22-250 is what most guys keep in the truck as a standoff ending gun when both sides are tired and stuck in a staring contest in the middle of a field.
Jayph;
We used to chase the local coyotes with more enthusiasm than I've been able to muster in the last couple of years, but here is what we learned after trying several firearms for the task including '06's, .308's, .308Normas, .270's and what we finally settled on. This was in pre-range finder days and really I’m not sure we’d have had the time to use one on more than about 1/3 of the called in coyotes anyway.
My hunting finally used a .25-06 in a 26” barreled B78 so we were able to achieve all the velocity that round is known for out of the 75gr Hornady HP he chose.
I settled on a .22-250AI with a 26” No. 4 contour Douglas Premium barrel, 1-14” twist which was screwed into a ’98 action because I had one on the shelf. I eventually settled on 55gr VMax or Ballistic Tips as they seemed to me to buck the wind better than the 50gr.
The 75gr bullets out of the .25-06 were definitely harder on pelts than the 55gr VMax/BT were. In fact we seldom had exits with the .22’s but when they did, it would have meant a lot of sewing to salvage the pelt.
They both would drop a coyote, running or not, in their tracks. The .22-250 had somewhat less flight time at really extended ranges, that is one would watch the coyotes die in the scope with it and the .25-06 was a bit more of a bang, then thump situation.
I would never build another short AI on a Mauser if I didn’t have to. I finally made it feed, but it was not fun. Compared to the 722 actioned .250AI our youngest daughter shoots which feeds flawlessly, there is no comparison. As I said, it was what I had and fit the budget at the time, but I would not recommend it.
Back then (early ‘90’s?) the 1-14” was what we all built our .22-250’s and Swifts with, but now with some of the longer .22 caliber bullets available, I believe I’d run a quicker twist. The faster twist would increase pressure a bit I believe, but the new longer projectiles should also buck the wind better than a 55gr could.
I would also not be inclined to do a No. 4 contour again, as it makes for a rifle that goes about 12lbs and that is 2lbs more than I like to pack these days as I approach 50. I’d likely still do a 26” barrel though, as it does make for a bit more speed and varmint hunting is one place where I’ll still take all the speed I can get.
Hopefully that was some use to you, good luck on your rifle and your coyote hunts. We really did find that it was some of the most fun we had hunting here in the BC mountains- maybe because we didn’t have to pack the animal down the mountain on our backs like other hunting entails?
Regards,
Dwayne
We used to chase the local coyotes with more enthusiasm than I've been able to muster in the last couple of years, but here is what we learned after trying several firearms for the task including '06's, .308's, .308Normas, .270's and what we finally settled on. This was in pre-range finder days and really I’m not sure we’d have had the time to use one on more than about 1/3 of the called in coyotes anyway.
My hunting finally used a .25-06 in a 26” barreled B78 so we were able to achieve all the velocity that round is known for out of the 75gr Hornady HP he chose.
I settled on a .22-250AI with a 26” No. 4 contour Douglas Premium barrel, 1-14” twist which was screwed into a ’98 action because I had one on the shelf. I eventually settled on 55gr VMax or Ballistic Tips as they seemed to me to buck the wind better than the 50gr.
The 75gr bullets out of the .25-06 were definitely harder on pelts than the 55gr VMax/BT were. In fact we seldom had exits with the .22’s but when they did, it would have meant a lot of sewing to salvage the pelt.
They both would drop a coyote, running or not, in their tracks. The .22-250 had somewhat less flight time at really extended ranges, that is one would watch the coyotes die in the scope with it and the .25-06 was a bit more of a bang, then thump situation.
I would never build another short AI on a Mauser if I didn’t have to. I finally made it feed, but it was not fun. Compared to the 722 actioned .250AI our youngest daughter shoots which feeds flawlessly, there is no comparison. As I said, it was what I had and fit the budget at the time, but I would not recommend it.
Back then (early ‘90’s?) the 1-14” was what we all built our .22-250’s and Swifts with, but now with some of the longer .22 caliber bullets available, I believe I’d run a quicker twist. The faster twist would increase pressure a bit I believe, but the new longer projectiles should also buck the wind better than a 55gr could.
I would also not be inclined to do a No. 4 contour again, as it makes for a rifle that goes about 12lbs and that is 2lbs more than I like to pack these days as I approach 50. I’d likely still do a 26” barrel though, as it does make for a bit more speed and varmint hunting is one place where I’ll still take all the speed I can get.
Hopefully that was some use to you, good luck on your rifle and your coyote hunts. We really did find that it was some of the most fun we had hunting here in the BC mountains- maybe because we didn’t have to pack the animal down the mountain on our backs like other hunting entails?
Regards,
Dwayne
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
22K-Hornet
6mm Rem
6mm Rem
I use thre calibers based on hunting conditions and area.
Expecting shorter shots and in an area where i want the least report .223.
For days when the shots could get a little long and report is no issue 22-250
When the forcast is highwinds and longer shots .243
Although i kill most of my called coyotes with a 12ga. shotgun.
Both rifle and shotgun are carried to the majority of the stands i do.
Expecting shorter shots and in an area where i want the least report .223.
For days when the shots could get a little long and report is no issue 22-250
When the forcast is highwinds and longer shots .243
Although i kill most of my called coyotes with a 12ga. shotgun.
Both rifle and shotgun are carried to the majority of the stands i do.
elimsprint
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kelowna, BC
I always used the .223 on my ProHunter with AE 55gr FBHP. Great to 250-300yds with very little pelt damage. I now have a Bergara .243 for it. I am using Fed power-shok 80gr SP and took my longest this year at 403yds and it still blew a big exit wound in it. I have no intention of keeping the hides so that is perfect for me. .223 if you are keeping hides, .243 if not.
Kim
Kim
