favourite cal for coyotes only?

S

skidooracer_99

New member
this will be a dedicated coyote gun. wont shoot anything bigger with it and probably nothing smaller. im getting a .204 for prariedogs, crows, skunks. sounds like ill need somthing with greater knockdown and further range for yotes. the only time i see yotes is in the truck driving around so sometimes their quite far. not into calling yet but may get into it later. i was set on a .22-250 but im hearing a .243 would be better? i dont save pelts or have no concern for them. either will be a long heavy barreled varmint model. which would you pick and how do these compare in velocity and bullet drop at distance?
 
Dude, you live in Alberta! You need to get into calling ! Way funner than sniping them from the truck. 220 swift, 22-250, 243, all good choices. Where at in Alberta you from?
 
If you already have a .204, I'd go with a .243 and have both ends of the spectrum covered. The .204 will do fine for yotes as well, but I would take the opportunity to get another rifle too. I like the Remington 700 LVSF or possibly a heavy barrel laminate stocked Ruger 77. If money is not a consideration, What about a .243 WSSM in an AR platform? You can't go wrong with a .22-250 either, it really just comes down to personal preference, or like I usually do, get them all!
 
For nearly 30 years I shot a 22-250 for coyotes, then about five years ago I changed over the the 243. Both do an excellent job out to 500 yards and past if you can shoot well enough. I also shoot a 204 and it seems to work as well as the 22-250 did for yotes at longer ranges.

If you already have the 204 I'd try it to see how it worked on coyotes. If your bound to get another either the 22-250 or the 243 works well. I shoot the 55 grain Noslers in the 243 at just under 3980 fps and it's deadly on coyotes and shoots flatter then the 250.
 
Don't short sell your .204. Try some 40gr bullets and see how they group in your gun. They carry a punch way out past 300yds. I was impressed with the 40gr vmax this year. As long as I did my part they bang/flopped everything I put in the crosshairs. Have never felt the need to move up to 6mm bullets for coyotes.

ruger300
 
I don't own one, but the review I read, did say that the 204 starts to lack power beyond 300yards. And everything else I've read, says that the .243 should be good to go out to 500yrds or more. Just what I read... take it for what you will.
 
Quote:
I don't own one, but the review I read, did say that the 204 starts to lack power beyond 300yards. And everything else I've read, says that the .243 should be good to go out to 500yrds or more. Just what I read... take it for what you will.



A 40 gr 204 Ruger bullet still has over 600 ft/lbs of energy at 300 yards, and that's just a little less than a 50 gr 22-250 bullet. Reviews are opinion, math is math.
 
sorry don't wanna hijack this thread but what would be a good USED coyote gun. I don't care if its a 30 year old gun just as long as its well made and well kept. I'm thinking of getting a 22-250 or .243. any suggestions on makes and models?
 
Favorite that I own is a 25-06. Loaded with a 85-100g NBT at 3600-3300fps, they make short work of coyotes both close and far. Farthest I've dumped one with my 25-06 is right at 600 yards using the 85g NBT. I use my 25-06 for deer though to, so thats why I use a 25-06 for dual purpose rifle.


For coyote only, I would go with a heavy barreled 243 and shoot a 70-80g NBT or 87g vmax. They'll be on the heels of the 25-06, and no coyote will be able to tell the differnce out to 600 yards or so.

Get a good scope (either dial up, or BDC), LRF, a load that shoots consistently MOA or less, and find the time to practice and you should do alright out to 500 yards quite easily.


243 is superior to the 204 or 22-250 for long range coyotes. I wouldn't shoot a coyote past about 450, at the absolute most 500 with the 204 or 22-250. Wind and energy are the main factors. A 243 will have about 2x the energy, and buck the wind a heck of a lot better.
 
We hunt in very heavy woods with lots of ridges. I like 12 guage with 3 inch magnums or dead coyote loads. Coyotes are upclose and personal 30yards or less.My buddy killed one saturday turkey hunting at 11 yards!
 
If you are going to the real long shots the .243,25-06, 22-250 would all be great choices out at 400+ yards. .243 WSSM will most likely be my next choice for a rifle so it can be used for deer and the smaller game if I want to go that route.
 
crapshoot..i live on a farm around Vegreville AB. its between edmonton and lloydminister if you've never heard of it. its pretty big cattle country around here and there is lots of coyotes. and i really am interested in getting started calling in the future. anyways, this gun will mostly be a truck gun so im not too concerned if its similar to a 204. i just need 2 guns to keep in different places. and it will be setup for only coyotes.
between the .243 and .22-250 could i get some specs on velocities and what the drops are at certain ranges? and what max range are both good for? basically just looking for which is flatter at long range. my max ever would prob be 500 yds.
 
I get after the coyotes when they are in heat, which used to be Feb. The wind blows very strong in central Iowa. So if the wind is blowing and I am driving the section roads, I will be carrying a 338 mag/ 215 Sierra bullets. I also carry a Bushmaster Predador, which can handle longer 224 bullets.
Jim
 
22-250, 55g NBT, 3600fps, 200y zero, 10 MPH wind

300= -5 inches, 2500fps, 768 ft lbs, 9 inches wind
400= -16 inches, 2200fps, 590 ft lbs, 16.5 inches wind
500= -34 inches, 1900fps, 446 ft lbs, 28 inches wind
600= -62 inches, 1650fps, 332 ft lbs, 43 inches wind

243, 87g vmax, 3300fps, 200y zero, 10 MPH wind

300= -5.5 inches, 2587fps, 1293 ft lbs, 6.3 inches wind
400= -16.3 inches, 2374fps, 1089 ft lbs, 11.5 inches wind
500= -33.2 inches, 2172fps, 911 ft lbs, 18.8 inches wind
600= -57.5 inches, 1979fps, 757 ft lbs, 28.3 inches wind

As you can clearly see at 500 yards, the 243 not only has double the energy, but its also moving 250fps faster, even though it started out 300fps slower, it drifts 10 inches less at 500 yards, they are both equally as flat out to 500, but after that the 243 will win everytime.

If it was me, I WOULD NOT get a 22-50 for coyotes at 500 yards. Sure they'll die with a good hit, but thats pushing the caliber pretty good IMO. 22-250 is a good choice out to about 400, but after that I would step up to a swift or a 243/6mm. You'll be a lot happier with the results on coyotes, trust me.
 
thanks kyotekiller! thats exactly what i was looking for! the 243 really has about the same drop but with alot more energy and a bit more velocity all around. and it usually is quite windy here too. so i guess it cant get much better than that! i think the .243 is the way to go. now what size scope should i be using for yotes up to about 500? and are those 87 vmax about the best?
 
Yah I would definately go the 243 route.

IMO, the 87g vmax is the best bet. Its accurate, got a pretty good BC, and is pretty explosive, but heavy enough to get through bone. Your not worried about hides so this combo would be absolute perfect for you. If the 87g vmax doesn't shoot well, you always got the 80-90g NBT's.

Coyotes are small targets, I like to be able to see what I'm shooting at. I prefer 6-18/6.5-20 type scopes with target style turrets. 6x is plenty low enough for 40-50 yards, and 18-20x is plenty for 1K. Pretty much got ya covered. Either way, your gonna probly want more thena standard 9x scope. I also like the fine duplex reticle that leupold offeres. It doesn't take up to much target space on the animal.

I'm partial to Leupold and for the price, you cant beat the vx2, 6-18x40 w/fine duplex and target turrets. You can find these for $450 and I think there the best LR scope under $500. If you want to spend more money, there is better. LIke the vx3 LR, 6.5-20x50 30mm tube, SF, fine duplex w/target knobs. These usully run $850-$900. I have both and the vx3 is much clearer/brighter, but you pay 2x the amount.

Its really up to you. Everybodys eyes are different. I dont like Burris one bit, nikon is ok but dont have target knobs, zeiss would get my vote if I wasn't a devoted Leupold fan.
 
Im pretty much the same as kyotekiller25, I use my 25-06 for coyote and deer. I dont save hides so i guess it would be different if i did lol.
 
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