After bow hunting for many years I'm finally getting into hunting with a gun. I haven't purchased a rifle yet but am looking to get something economical for the range and to use for the coyotes. I'd apreciate some advice from those experienced in the bush.
Min caliber for coyote
- Thread starter NiceShot
- Start date
- Location
- Central Ontario
If you're looking for affordability, I've heard the Savage Axis in .223 or 22-250 are both great. The upside to the 223 is that most clubs that sell ammo, sell 223 for $7ish a box. Plus you can buy it dirty cheap in bulk, so when you go to the range, you can practise a lot for cheap!
I guess it depends on the range you will be hunting at - I knew a fellow who was quite successful hunting coyotes and foxes with a .22 Win Mag. His shots were fairly close as he hunted out of a blind. For longer ranges a .223 is probably the best choice.
If economy is your thing, I doubt you can beat a 223 (if you use surplus ammo). Will ethically take Coyote out to 150+ yards easily if you're sighted in.
22-250 are great coyote guns as well, but are pricier for ammo if you don't reload. 22-250 will extend your range both for the coyote and at the range.
If you are considering rifle hunting for Deer in the future, you may want to consider a 243. Will drop coyote out to 400, and white tail out to 150+ with good shot placement. Will cost you more for ammo, but save you the price of a second gun later on.
If you think the "future" may also include moose, elk, bear, etc.. then get your 223 now, and start saving to get yourself a 270, 30-06, 308 or other "big game" rifle of your choice later.
22-250 are great coyote guns as well, but are pricier for ammo if you don't reload. 22-250 will extend your range both for the coyote and at the range.
If you are considering rifle hunting for Deer in the future, you may want to consider a 243. Will drop coyote out to 400, and white tail out to 150+ with good shot placement. Will cost you more for ammo, but save you the price of a second gun later on.
If you think the "future" may also include moose, elk, bear, etc.. then get your 223 now, and start saving to get yourself a 270, 30-06, 308 or other "big game" rifle of your choice later.
It will be hard to get the yotes to close in at 100 metres or less so 22 mag is a max 100 metres solution, 223 is your best bet dont need to invest much money a Nef, a Tasco 6X24 and WWB 45 gr, the 2 i got this year were shot with my Icon 6.5 Creedmoor at 350+ metres... JP.
.223 is easily good to 300 yards for coyotes if you can shoot that well. Some people will stretch out the .243 on deer and 300-400 yards is not impossible. My 17 Rem Fire Ball is a 300 yard coyote gun and cheap to reload for.
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You can't go wrong with a .223, IMHO. Tons of ammo choices, from very economical steel cased stuff to premium match ammo and everything in between. And the .223 has plenty of power out to 200+ yards as long as you hit 'em right.
Ironman6067
CGN Regular
- Location
- NL, Canada
Check wildlife regs too, here in NL can only hunt yote with a 22 center fire like 223 or 22-250... Rimfire is a no go. Unless it's small game season and you have small game lic. But with just a coyote lic. no2 shot or 22 center fire is all you can be carrying.
It really depends upon the area in which you'll be most likely to hunt.
I have access to many areas around S.Ontario for Coyote hunting and quite honestly take most of mine fairly close up with a shotgun loaded with buckshot, but then some other areas I have 400 yard+ fields to play with, and the .223 comes into play in that scenario.
You'll have most luck in the thick stuff, same tactics as Turkey hunting really..
I have access to many areas around S.Ontario for Coyote hunting and quite honestly take most of mine fairly close up with a shotgun loaded with buckshot, but then some other areas I have 400 yard+ fields to play with, and the .223 comes into play in that scenario.
You'll have most luck in the thick stuff, same tactics as Turkey hunting really..
