best round for coyotes

chewy4480 · 09-06-2008, 10:52 AM

What is the best round for coyotes that are 100 to 300 yards out, .204 ruger, .223, .243, others? I want something thats not going to put softball size holes in the pelt. Thanks

jimkim · 09-06-2008, 11:18 AM

Heres one you probably didn't think about. 6.5x55mm 160gr RN FMJ

Onesonek · 09-09-2008, 09:32 AM

For those ranges you have in mind, and of the rounds you mentioned, I would go with the .223 and 50gr. loads. The .222 would be another good choice. It's my opinion you don't need any more, or faster unless you intend to push longer ranges.

Dave

samuel · 09-09-2008, 10:02 AM

Iuse the .204Ruger for anything beyond 150yds loaded with Hornady 40gr VMAX at 3900fps at the muzzle.They have never exited that I recall and are one shot kill bullets.I use a .22Hornet under 150yds with 40gr VMAX.They are basically one shot kill and no exit.I have often used a .223rem. with 40gr VMAX out to 300yds but it is way short of the .204ruger or the .22-250 (which seldom exits either)for point blank range.I usually carry a .45ACP,.45Colt or .357 for handgun backup with heavy bullets which worked well at short range and didnt tear the pelts up bad even tho they always exit. sam.

soonerborn · 09-09-2008, 12:14 PM

Sam, I fail to see how a 22-250 is "way short" for 200 yards but a .223 is just fine when they shoot the very same cal bullet, but the 22-250 puts 4-500 more fps on it?

I think the 22-250 is exactly what you are looking for. If you are going over 300 yards though I would step up to something like a 25-06 or 6.5x55 / some other type of 6.5mm. 300 yards is pushing the limit for the .204 but it could work, I would want something a little bit more though past 200 yards.

I use the .204 for yotes too Sam, I love it.

sell33 · 09-09-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soonerborn

Sam, I fail to see how a 22-250 is "way short" for 200 yards but a .223 is just fine when they shoot the very same cal bullet, but the 22-250 puts 4-500 more fps on it?

I believe sam meant the 223 is "way short" of the 204 or 22-250...

I like the 204 myself although i have never shot a yote. i use a 223 wssm for groundhogs that would be my yote gun as well

lefty o · 09-09-2008, 12:41 PM

for 0 to 300yds, the .223 is just about perfect. myself, if i had to choose just 1 it would be the 22-250, and the 204 would be in the top couple of picks.

soonerborn · 09-09-2008, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sell33

I believe sam meant the 223 is "way short" of the 204 or 22-250...

Yep, I reread that and your right, I just for some retarded reason read it wrong.

Jack Dundin · 09-09-2008, 02:00 PM

22-250 is a heck of a yote round, especial for 300+ yds.

nc.hunter · 09-09-2008, 04:41 PM

I would say for 100-300 yards shots on coyotes the .243 would work, it has more power at thoes ranges than the .223 or .204, plus the .204 and the .223 caliber rifles are pretty expensive. And .243 ammo is easy to get.

nathangdad · 09-09-2008, 05:05 PM

100 to 300 yards inclusively but a solid point .243 is something to consider.

chewy4480 · 09-09-2008, 07:31 PM

thanks guys they all pretty much sound like they will work so I'll just look for a gun I like in any of those calibers.

sell33 · 09-10-2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nc.hunter

I would say for 100-300 yards shots on coyotes the .243 would work, it has more power at thoes ranges than the .223 or .204, plus the .204 and the .223 caliber rifles are pretty expensive. And .243 ammo is easy to get.

204 and 223 rifles are no more expensive than a 243...and i would say 223 ammo is cheaper than most other ammo. for under 300 yds i would get a 223 it should be more than enough at that range...

samuel · 09-10-2008, 05:27 AM

The point I was making is use a highly frangible bullet at the highest velocity possible so it disentigrates inside the animal and causes instant death without exiting and causing pelt damage.The .223 is great as LeftyO says out to 300yds but has lost velocity beyond there to make the bullet work right.The .22-250 and .204 both have the velocity to give good bullet action beyond 300yds since both have a 300fps advantage over the .223.(about).As to .243 and larger,if you use varmint bullets,from experience,I guarantee a big hole out the far side at any decent range.If you wish to use .243 and larger I advise using a bullet designed for deer or larger game so the little resistance in a coyote will not expand it and blow a big hole out the far side.I have used 80gr in .243 and 100gr in .25-06 with a fair amount of sucess but sometimes,especially on older,more mature coyotes they do expand and then you have a very large hole to sew up.Nathangdad sugests a fmj and I have used them in .243 but they take precision shooting or you have a wounded coyote to chase and in populated areas they bounce bad.(but not far,maybe 300yds,the trouble being I dont like maybe,s). Also,you can use up to 55gr varmint bullets in a .22-250 which gives you more range and still seldom exits.(I prefer the Sierra and Hornady 50gr for longer shots with the -250) sam.

samuel · 09-10-2008, 05:28 AM

I hate double posts,especially when I do it.

chewy4480 · 09-10-2008, 09:04 PM

O.K. so it's between the .22-250 and the .204. What do you recommend for a rifle?

Palladin8 · 09-10-2008, 09:21 PM

well I have a CZ 527 in .204 that is extremly accurate. I really like it and would buy another one in a different caliber. You can't go wrong with Remington or tikka or sako or or or. Basicly whatever you feel comfortable with and what's in your price range.

chewy4480 · 09-10-2008, 09:34 PM

I have a CZ 550 varmint in .308 and I wouldn't mind sticking with the same brand.

bluealtered · 09-10-2008, 10:58 PM

This is one of those threads that just won't end, cuz everybody has a round that works for them. Mines a .223 in a 6.5 pound ar-15, geat to about 300yd, after that it's a .270 with 90gr jhp sighted in at 250yds. blue

soonerborn · 09-11-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy4480

O.K. so it's between the .22-250 and the .204. What do you recommend for a rifle?

That CZ wouldnt be a bad way to go.

I personally have a custom AR-15 in .204 for my varmints. I really like having two and three quick shots for when I call up more than one yote or when I miss.

09-06-2008, 10:52 AM	#1
chewy4480 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 143	best round for coyotes What is the best round for coyotes that are 100 to 300 yards out, .204 ruger, .223, .243, others? I want something thats not going to put softball size holes in the pelt. Thanks

09-06-2008, 11:18 AM	#2
jimkim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Near the Little Ocmulgee river in GA Posts: 2,317 Blog Entries: 15	Heres one you probably didn't think about. 6.5x55mm 160gr RN FMJ __________________ "Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum."

09-09-2008, 12:14 PM	#5
soonerborn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 337	Sam, I fail to see how a 22-250 is "way short" for 200 yards but a .223 is just fine when they shoot the very same cal bullet, but the 22-250 puts 4-500 more fps on it? I think the 22-250 is exactly what you are looking for. If you are going over 300 yards though I would step up to something like a 25-06 or 6.5x55 / some other type of 6.5mm. 300 yards is pushing the limit for the .204 but it could work, I would want something a little bit more though past 200 yards. I use the .204 for yotes too Sam, I love it. __________________ Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a Bureau!!! Last edited by soonerborn; 09-09-2008 at 12:16 PM.

09-09-2008, 04:41 PM	#10
nc.hunter Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Forsyth county of north carolina Posts: 235	I would say for 100-300 yards shots on coyotes the .243 would work, it has more power at thoes ranges than the .223 or .204, plus the .204 and the .223 caliber rifles are pretty expensive. And .243 ammo is easy to get. __________________ I'M A SOUTHERNER THROUGH AND THROUGH!

09-09-2008, 05:05 PM	#11
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,930	You may be asking a bit much for ranges of 100 to 300 yards inclusively but a solid point .243 is something to consider.

09-09-2008, 09:32 AM	#3
Onesonek Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pipestone, MN. Posts: 439	For those ranges you have in mind, and of the rounds you mentioned, I would go with the .223 and 50gr. loads. The .222 would be another good choice. It's my opinion you don't need any more, or faster unless you intend to push longer ranges. Dave

09-09-2008, 10:02 AM	#4
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,247	Iuse the .204Ruger for anything beyond 150yds loaded with Hornady 40gr VMAX at 3900fps at the muzzle.They have never exited that I recall and are one shot kill bullets.I use a .22Hornet under 150yds with 40gr VMAX.They are basically one shot kill and no exit.I have often used a .223rem. with 40gr VMAX out to 300yds but it is way short of the .204ruger or the .22-250 (which seldom exits either)for point blank range.I usually carry a .45ACP,.45Colt or .357 for handgun backup with heavy bullets which worked well at short range and didnt tear the pelts up bad even tho they always exit. sam.

09-09-2008, 12:41 PM	#7
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,112	for 0 to 300yds, the .223 is just about perfect. myself, if i had to choose just 1 it would be the 22-250, and the 204 would be in the top couple of picks.

09-09-2008, 02:00 PM	#9
Jack Dundin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mount Vernon, Wa Posts: 106	22-250 is a heck of a yote round, especial for 300+ yds.

09-09-2008, 07:31 PM	#12
chewy4480 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 143	thanks guys they all pretty much sound like they will work so I'll just look for a gun I like in any of those calibers.

09-10-2008, 05:27 AM	#14
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,247	The point I was making is use a highly frangible bullet at the highest velocity possible so it disentigrates inside the animal and causes instant death without exiting and causing pelt damage.The .223 is great as LeftyO says out to 300yds but has lost velocity beyond there to make the bullet work right.The .22-250 and .204 both have the velocity to give good bullet action beyond 300yds since both have a 300fps advantage over the .223.(about).As to .243 and larger,if you use varmint bullets,from experience,I guarantee a big hole out the far side at any decent range.If you wish to use .243 and larger I advise using a bullet designed for deer or larger game so the little resistance in a coyote will not expand it and blow a big hole out the far side.I have used 80gr in .243 and 100gr in .25-06 with a fair amount of sucess but sometimes,especially on older,more mature coyotes they do expand and then you have a very large hole to sew up.Nathangdad sugests a fmj and I have used them in .243 but they take precision shooting or you have a wounded coyote to chase and in populated areas they bounce bad.(but not far,maybe 300yds,the trouble being I dont like maybe,s). Also,you can use up to 55gr varmint bullets in a .22-250 which gives you more range and still seldom exits.(I prefer the Sierra and Hornady 50gr for longer shots with the -250) sam.

09-10-2008, 05:28 AM	#15
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,247	I hate double posts,especially when I do it. Last edited by samuel; 09-10-2008 at 05:36 AM.

09-10-2008, 09:04 PM	#16
chewy4480 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 143	O.K. so it's between the .22-250 and the .204. What do you recommend for a rifle?

09-10-2008, 09:21 PM	#17
Palladin8 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 594	well I have a CZ 527 in .204 that is extremly accurate. I really like it and would buy another one in a different caliber. You can't go wrong with Remington or tikka or sako or or or. Basicly whatever you feel comfortable with and what's in your price range.

09-10-2008, 09:34 PM	#18
chewy4480 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 143	I have a CZ 550 varmint in .308 and I wouldn't mind sticking with the same brand.

09-10-2008, 10:58 PM	#19
bluealtered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: outback oregon Posts: 54	This is one of those threads that just won't end, cuz everybody has a round that works for them. Mines a .223 in a 6.5 pound ar-15, geat to about 300yd, after that it's a .270 with 90gr jhp sighted in at 250yds. blue