Long Range Coyote caliber

A number of years ago I did a little experiment. I set up coyote body size 10 inch by 20 inch steel targets at 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 yards. I shot 223, 303, 270 and 308 at those targets. The 270 won out as the long range winner but the 223 held its own out to 300 yards. Actually a 223 with a 69 grain Nosler custom competition bullet goes in like a lamb and out like a lion.
 
Once you have established your range limitations, your hunting rifle is a good choice.
Two for two with my 280 Remington this year.
All of my CF calibres have been bloodied with coyotes. The current 25-06 is still a virgin but the previous one worked
The 22-250 Federal load with the 55 grain Sierra HPBT is effective to 400 yards but range estimation is extremely critical as there is not much room for error.
With a quality range finder you will increase your odds; my Bushnell has a few years on it an getting sufficient reflection has its limits. A bear this year was beyond its limitations.
 
This winter my 257 Wtby with my Sightron 10X50X60 LRTD is my new coyotes rig, first tests show me that the combo is MOA with factory Wtby 87 gr SP up to 600 metres ( did not shoot further but i expect to be good for 750 metres)... Jp.
004_zps947449d7.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
003_zpsd1d10a6b.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
001_zpsf799d959.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
The .243 ammo is cheap(relative to bigger calibers) easier to find, bucks the wind better, can double as a deer gun and will kill them dead at 400 yds at the speed of light or faster. It is a .308 necked down so may be a consideration if you have a .308 to reload. Also pretty much easily legal anywhere inside Canada as far as caliber restriction for yotes.(Be sure you check)
 
Not saving fur, Id go with the 243 unless I was hunting around alot of farms etc. If there was a bunch of farms or other stuff around Id use a 223.
 
.243 will cut them in two. :)
You'll loose a dog if you hit it to far back with a 223 at 308 yards. Speaking from experience.
22-250 will vere more in the wind.
Go 243, save your brass, then load it up with 87gr Vmax Hornady bullets.
You won't hit nothing at 300-400yds with the el-cheapo milsurp 223. It's not consistent enough, powder charges vary to much.
Been there done that too!!
 
Screw long range, use good calls and get 'em inside 100 yards. Waaay more satisfying than making a long shot. That said, I shot one at 310 yards last season with .223, 55gr Nosler BT varmint. Instant dirt nap.
 
22-250 will be my choice. or maybe the 7-08, might use the 270 win too....for the really long shoots it will be the 338 Lapua.
 
My go to coyote rifle this year will be a 6mm PPC, loaded with 58gr Vmax's, leaving around 3300 fps. Previous years I have been using a 260 with 95 gr Vmax's.
Anything in this range should be an excellent choice. The 6mm's and 6.5's have excellent ballistics, many cases that will push the velocities way up there, hit harder than 22 cal stuff.
A 243, would be a great one, cheap to load for or buy ammo, won't be hard to find brass. Good choice.
 
I have those 2 links of forest with a 100 metres gap in between sitting at 575 metres from my picnic table so this is were i will get them at 600 yards + with my 257 Wtby mag and those 3900 fps 87 gr factory rounds... JP.
 
We use mostly .223's... But if we know that there may be 300+ yard shooting, we go to .243's with 58 V-Max Moly's... If the range is 400+ then we use 7mm-08 with 120 NBT's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom