Best all around cartridge for.....

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I'm sure this topic has been discussed a hundred times.... but since i really want to get into predator hunting, i'm going to ask....
What would you consider to be the best all around predator cartridge?
 
My personal limits are approximately this and both are shooting the same bullet with more or less powder. I cant be happy without both.
under 300 yds = .223
up to 400 yds .22-250 with more noticeable authority.
 
If it is a DEDICATED predator rifle, the .223 is hard to go wrong with. If there are other possible uses like deer hunting, etc then you might consider a .243 or even .308.

My method is to use the .223 unless the game or situation calls for a larger caliber.
 
I used to use nothing but .223rem. Then I switched to 22-250, and felt like I had been living in a cave. Now I use 22-243Win, and feel pretty good... but I'm having a 22-243AI built.

Bottom line: Speed kills.

Don't let the "barrel life" wussies get you down. 800rnds of barrel life will kill lots of coyotes before a new tube needs spun on. Hard to beat 22-250 for an off-the-shelf gun. Really hard. Bullet selection is key. I had lots of 50gr Vmax splash and not work right. 52SMK's are outstanding. My 22-243 flat out smashes them to the ground. Even bad hits result in an anchored coyote. See this video as proof. Coyote #2 was quartering away on the run... took a hit in the back leg. He wasn't dead dead... but he was damaged beyond the capacity to move a lot. That's what the speed gets you... that shock factor which isn't present in slower cartridges. When you start approaching 4,000fps... it starts to get interesting.

Then there is the "running coyote" advantage. 4000fps covers the distance a whole lot faster and reduces the lead needed compared to 3300fps.

 
I have owned and used the .204, .223, 22-250, 220 Swift &.243

Though not trendy, not the fastest, not the most exotic my go to is the .223. In my opinion its everything a guy needs...nothing more,,nothing less. Bullets, brass and powder for it are everywhere. I dont even need to buy brass, I just go to the range and pick it for free.
Guys shoot the .223 out to 1000 yards with heavy bullets,,if your into the long rang stuff..a .223 will work.
 
One other thing about the .223 is the fact that if the ammo shortage hits again ... and it WILL hit again ... it's far easier to get .223 ammo than anything else if you don't reload. Just saying ....
 
Originally Posted By: HidalgoOne other thing about the .223 is the FACT that if the ammo shortage hits again ... and it WILL hit again ... it's far easier to get .223 ammo than anything else if you don't reload. Just saying ....

thats why i went with the 223. plus everybody and there brother has an ar it seems like so i wanted one too and the 223 is the most common round offered in the ar platform so stuff for it aint hard to find. i mostly call bobcats or am stocking hogs so i have 2 different guns. 308 for hogs and 223 for varmints. but thats only because i enjoy my bobcat fur and dont want to mess any up with a 243. otherwise i would have got a browning bar in 243 for a good all around do all gun. just scared to rip a little bobcat in half with it though. but luckily my 223 is accurate enough i wouldn't hesitate to pop a hog in the head with it if the opportunity arose for such an occasion
 
I would ask that you think about the range that you would be able to shoot.

There is no point in getting a riffle that can shoot 500+ yrds if your normal shot ranges are going to be less.
Look at your normal range pick something that will support that.

I also would suggest that you concider that most new coyote hunters take long shots. As the years and experience goes up, I see the patern of the shots getting closer and closer. It's good to have the skills to take those longer shots, but find that most shots are now shotgun shots for less than 50yrds.

Something to think about.
 
I have found 223, and 22-250 as well as 22-250 AI work well. I use a 257 weatherby for calling competitions though so I can shoot yotes that hang out to 600-700 yards with not a whole lot left though but all I care is too kill em for the contest. Personally I love the 22-250 great all around caliber too. I can load it up or load it down. And it's pretty flat shootin.
 
.223 will be your best bet. Most people lack the knowledge and patience and equipment to CONSISTENTLY AND PRECISELEY make long shots. While the thought is nice it's harder that it seems. Ammo is available in lots of factory flavors. 300 and under its money 400+ skill comes in to play with ANY caliber regardless of speed.
 
If I was in an area that I knew only coyote or fox would come in..204 Ruger.However on a proven coyote stand I called in 2 Gray Wolves..So I'm forced with my 6.5 Grendel.My other option in a bolt gun would either be 243 Win or 6.5 Creed.
 
which do you find is consistently more accurate? To me, accuracy kills better than speed...

also, been hearing alot of the .204 Ruger. What gives, not familiar with the cartridge.
 
Originally Posted By: Brownie.223 will be your best bet. Most people lack the knowledge and patience and equipment to CONSISTENTLY AND PRECISELEY make long shots. While the thought is nice it's harder that it seems. Ammo is available in lots of factory flavors. 300 and under its money 400+ skill comes in to play with ANY caliber regardless of speed. All things being equal, faster is going to be easier to work with than slower.

52SMK with 3300fps, 3700fps, and 4100fps velocities called out in mils at 400yds:
Cartridge - Elev. - 10mph 9:00 Wind - 15mph mover lead
.223rem - - 1.9 - - - - 1.9 - - - - - - - 9.4
22-250 - - - 1.3 - - - - 1.5 - - - - - - - 8.2
22-243Win - - 0.9 - - - - 1.2 - - - - - - - 7.2

The delta gets even wider in favor of the faster cartridges when using heavy bullets such as the 75gr Amax. The faster cartridges have a better chance of anchoring the dog on a bad shot. Never met anyone that made a perfect hit 100% of the time yet. I have the equipment and experience to consistently hit at long ranges, but I'll still take a stronger trajectory over a weaker one. Why not tilt the advantage in my favor?
 
i am a caller. i try to call them in close. my shots are mostly under 100 yards. mostly way under 100. i have used lots of fire arms for calling. a .223 works good for calling. very good. so does a shotgun. i like them close. if i couldnt get them close (under 300) i would use a 22-250. but i can usually get them close.
 
I don't have that luxury out here in the wide open plains. The dogs just don't cooperate like they do in different areas. That's not to say I don't kill a pile inside 150yds, because I do. It's just that multiples, or skittish dogs often hang up way out there. If I couldn't hit effectively at 300-400yds with enough muscle to bash them to the ground, I'd only get half the coyotes I take every year. They like to stop at 400-500yds, where they feel "safe." I take great pleasure in showing them they are not safe.
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