Looking for a coyote rifle

[tikkahunter_270]

Savage makes a bolt-single shot the model 40 in 22 hornet with the accu trigger.

[samuel]

For years I used a .22-250 with 50gr vmax.I had big holes.Then I went to a .223 with 40gr vmax and usually didnt have an exit hole.Both of these were good beyond 250yds.Now I use a .22 hornet and stay under 200yds with 11.3gr h4227.All of these get one shot kills almost every time.But if you do find an old military rifle that shoots straight enough to hunt coyotes most of the bullets used on deer and larger game will kill a coyote and do less damage than a varmint type bullet because they dont expand much on a coyote so they dont transfer as much energy even tho they have a lot more.If the bullet tumbles or strikes a bone they will do a lot of damage. samuel.

[Magnumsrule]

If a person is taking shots at coyote fron a range of under about 200 yards, then the 17 hmr is a good choice. With 20grain fmj's or the game points a coyote would drop in it's tracks. The only advantage to having a 223 or 243 is an extra maby 100 yards and the capability to reload ones own ammo.

[pball942]

The SKS is a good option for price, range, and stopping power. That's what I carry in my truck when I go out. But I have to agree with Rockhound on the .17HMR. That is a flat flying projectile. I would not hesitate to shoot a yote with my Marlin out to 245 yds. Just be weary of the wind.

[samuel]

I see the .17 HMR is being considered for coyotes again.While I believe this cartridge might be used with limited sucess on coyotes out to 100yds balistics show that it has slightly less energy at 100yds as a .22 lrhv has at the muzzle I have doubts about a 17gr or 20gr sustaining enough energy past that point to inflict a wound channel that would stop or even slow a coyote much.I cant find a chart on .17 HMR,s past 100yds but cant believe it would be a real dependable coyote getter once the energy dropped below 90lbs which would be less than 150yds.A bullet,s ability to release energy in the wound channel is what causes debilitating wounds.If a bullet doesnt have energy it cant release it.Often we forget as a bullet travels forward the atmosphere is soaking up great quanitys of it,s enitial energy and where bullets will penetrate and expand at high velocities at long range and much lower velocities they fail to penetrate or expand making it imposible to inflict a substantial wound channel to stop game.An example that comes to mind is the .300win.mag.has less energy at 500yds than a .30-30 has at 100yds and yet the .300win. mag. is considered adequate at 500yds and the .30-30 is considered light at any range for elk. samuel.

[bigandrich44]

I have to say a .243. Shoots flat, ammo is everywhere, accurate, almost recoil free, and if you decide to hunt deer, then you got a nice deer rifle. I would go with the Mossy as pointed out above, some Leupold rings: $16 at walmart, and a Nikon Prostaff scope: About $100. That would be a nice rig, but I got a Remington 700 ADL youth with Leupold rings and a Prostaff scope. Shot 2 times at deer, brought 2 deer home. Now for coyotes, I've only shot 3 times and brought 1 home. Not to good, but one shot decapitated the one I did shoot. A VMAX in the neck makes a gory mess.

[JoeLee]

My critter getter is a 222 Remington loaded down for minimal pelt damage.All the .224s can be loaded down ,except the "Hornet doesn't need down loading" and make excellent fur guns.

[samuel]

Originally Posted by JoeLee

My critter getter is a 222 Remington loaded down for minimal pelt damage.All the .224s can be loaded down ,except the "Hornet doesn't need down loading" and make excellent fur guns.

If this works for your style of hunting use it.But I dont want to miss a long range shot that comes quite often so I use the most frangible bullet I can like Sierra,s blitzKing or Hornady,s VMAX.I have found the 40gr VMAX works great in anything that doesnt have too long a freebore.My barrels on an AR type and a Douglas barrel on a Remington action are designed for the 40gr btpt.For most out of the box barrels a 50gr btpt or hp gets closer to the riflings and better accuracy.With either 40gr or 50gr there is seldom an exit wound.I try for all the fps I can get and still be accurate.The faster it,s going the less exit wounds there are.A .222 was designed for a 50gr so that is what I use in my savage .222. samuel.

[JoeLee]

samuel, A long shot where I live is 50 to 70 yards in mountain timber or swamp.My 222s are one Remington 700 and Savage 340,the 340 has an extremely tight chamber and bore.Slugging the 340 bore it drove the same for the complete length of the bore,not so with the Remington.Is your Savage a 110 or 340?

[samuel]

JoeLee:Mine is an old M340.I dont believe they made the M110 series in .222,Remington made a 722,725,and a few 700,s and the m788 in .222 but they came out with the .222mag.and then the military went .223 and so did everyone else.almost noone was chambering for .222 after ,62. There are drawbacks to loading down,none of which would stop me from doing it if I wanted to except the gas seal which can be overcome by neck turning making them thinner and easier to expand at reduced pressure.If it works good and you like it use it.I use faster loads and often am shooting out to 400yds across a swamp or in an orchard.I do blow holes once in a while but sew them so they stretch right and seldom get docked.Your way sounds great where you are at.Best of luck. samuel.

[JoeLee]

samuel,I should have said the 222 Remington is in the Classic Model,I call it a 700.I didn't know the 110 was never chamberd in 222.

[samuel]

Originally Posted by JoeLee

samuel,I should have said the 222 Remington is in the Classic Model,I call it a 700.I didn't know the 110 was never chamberd in 222.

Your .Savage in .222 while not being a high dollar colector,s item is priceless in the hands of a varmint hunter.With factory loads in 50gr ,sighted in +2" at 100yds is dead on at 200yds and only 11" low at 300yds making that shot possible.And you have already stated by reloading,it has several possibility,s.The greatest advantage to downloading is you can make them very quiet when hunting around populated areas and still get the job done. samuel.

[frozentorso]

I've got a few yotes under my belt from many different situations, so I'll tell you what I would do in your situation. First consider your location for two reasons. 1)Whats the lay of the land? If your in far South Texas, you wont need a rifle. You'll need a 12 gauge. If your on the Prairies you'll want something long and flat (.223, .22-250, .243). If your in the somewhere in the middle any of the above will do. 2) Do you have local gun shows regularly? Thats a great place to find an old varmint rifle on the cheap, sometimes scoped.

Yotes will allways surprise you. Better to have a rifle that will kill at 250 yards as well as 25. Last year I shot one in the back of the head at a dead run away from me at 60 yards with my .243 SS. He winded me at 20 yards behind the tumble weeds. Now I always carry a scatter gun.

For $350, I'd buy an ugly old Savage, Remington, Howa, or Winchester in .223

[rdnckhnter]

savage arms makes a very nice model 200 i would go for the 22-250 calliber long flat shot and not that big of a exit hole with the right round its msrp is about 300 but im sure u could find it cheaper itll be worth it

[dixiebell]

hey you need a 17cal for price up 410 to188 or a little biger gun you need a 204 from price3 up to 1112to369

[bullhunk]

althought out of your price range i shoot lots of coyotes with my 17 remington and they dont go far with the 25 grain hollow point is quite accurate at 300 yards any farther is not an ethical shot with the small caliber but its fun to shoot.

[ArkansasHunter]

I wonder what he bought ???

[Shootester]

I got my Savage 200 in .223 for $299.99 at Gander Mtn. Once I got scope, rings, and tax it was $450.15. The ammo is cheap though. A box of Wolf ammo is only $5.99! I saw earlier today, um, American Eagle... I think in 63 grain for $8.88 or something like that, but I LOVE my Savage it is a great starter rifle!

[LiveToShoot]

Congrats on your purchase. I too was wondering what you decided on and purchased. What optics did you put atop the beast? Got a pic to share?

Maybe it's time to look into reloading for your .223?

[Shootester]

I'll post pics in a new thread in General Rifle.