This is topic What Caliber is your Coyote Rifle? in forum Firearms forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
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Posted by yotecaller (Member # 179) on July 07, 2003, 05:42 PM:
I like to use my 222 Rem the most but I also like my Browning 12 gauge when calling in alot of brush.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 07, 2003, 06:49 PM:
Hmmm. Okay, I use, in decending order:
22-250 Ackley
220 Swift
6mm Remington
25'06 Ackley
12 gauge
22-250 Rem.
243 Win.
308 Win.
223 Rem.
Most guys I know, around here use 22-250, 220, 243 or a 6mm. Those would definitely be the top four, followed by the 25'06.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by BillfMO (Member # 192) on July 07, 2003, 07:09 PM:
I have used 22 mag's to 25-06's in rifles. But because I try to be fur friendy I like to stay on the lower end. If I am calling where I think there is fox and season is open I like to use the 22 mag and try to keep shots under 100 yds and like 50 better for a coyote. For coyote only calling I used a 22-250 last year, but this spring I got an AR 15 which will most likely be the gun of choice this next fall and winter. Over the years I have most likely killed more coyote with a shotgun than any other one type of gun. I would most like be ahead if that is all I carried but can't seem to leave the rifle in the truck so that is what I usally have in my hand on the stand.
BillfMO
Posted by Rob (Member # 75) on July 07, 2003, 07:32 PM:
243
Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 216) on July 07, 2003, 07:59 PM:
Have mainly used 22-250 have tried 22mag,17rem,223,243,and 12guage found the 22-250 to be plenty adequate have made shot at 410 yds and several approaching 400 yds Im planning on skinning this season so Im gonna give 17 rem another try
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on July 07, 2003, 08:09 PM:
Most of my coyotes are taken with a 17 Remington. But I also will use a .223 rifle or a handgun or shotgun from time to time. It just depends on my mood when getting ready to walk out the door, or the terrain I happen to be calling in.
I used a 22-250 on several coyotes last year, I slowed them down quite a bit and you couldn't tell any difference between them and those hit with the 17.
Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on July 07, 2003, 08:56 PM:
I use four main rifles for calling, a 17 Rem,17 Ackley hornet,22 hornet and the least used a .223.
~Az-Hunter~
---------------------------
"Never take yourself more serious than your subject"
Posted by Cal Taylor (Member # 199) on July 08, 2003, 07:50 AM:
Most used to least used.
.243
.220 Swift
.25-284
Posted by varmit hunter (Member # 37) on July 08, 2003, 11:06 AM:
[ July 08, 2003, 12:17 PM: Message edited by: varmit hunter ]
Posted by UTcaller (Member # 8) on July 09, 2003, 08:45 AM:
I have used and loved my 22-250 for many years,and many coyotes have fallen with this gun.I should have my 223 ackley in a couple weeks so I am going to use it this year,hope it works as well as my 22-250.GOOD HUNTING CO
[ July 09, 2003, 05:03 PM: Message edited by: UTcaller ]
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 09, 2003, 05:22 PM:
I'm thinking of something, and I don't quite know how to present it.
See, on the one hand, I agree with a lot of attitudes and methods and opinions of a certain dude. On the other hand, we are so far away when it comes to proper coyote rifles that it's beyond belief.
Consider:
one guy uses:
22-250 Ackley
220 Swift
6mm Remington
25'06 Ackley
and the other guy uses:
17 Rem,17 Ackley hornet,22 hornet and the least used a .223.
The only point of agreement is that we both listed a 223 as a last choice.
But that's a world of difference! What's going on, here? ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Chucker223 (Member # 215) on July 16, 2003, 09:40 AM:
A savage in .223. I hope to upgrade to a .223 AI soon.
Posted by BillfMO (Member # 192) on July 16, 2003, 10:32 AM:
Leonard we seem to disagree on not only what type of rifle to shoot but also on the caliber to use also. Again I think it has to do with where we hunt. I place the 223 in the same class as the straight 22-250 & 220 Swift, I see you use the Ackley, but even that makes no difference out to the 200-250 yd range which is what I think the 223 is. Some say 300 yds but I think that is pushing it alittle, you can make the 300 yd shot but it needs hold over with most sight-ins for that caliber. Myself I place the 22-250 and Swift in the 300-350 yd range rifle, again without hold over. If I had to fight the wind I would most likely move up the the 243 which I have used and like just makes a little bigger hole. I have never owned a 6mm but have heard good things and it may be a better choice than the 243. The only advantage I see the 17 caliber has it does not exit, you can load the 22 caliber with lead pills that don't exit either. Again myself I don't like to use them because if you hit something hard (bone) they do nothing but make a hole in the skin and maybe crack the bone. Anyway the animal runs off for you never to find. As I have never used the 17's I am assuming what I believe here and may be all wrong (if so it's not the first nor will it be the last time, as I seem to do that quit a bit.) I guess what I am trying to say is here I have no need for a rifle that will shoot more than 250 yds and at most of my stands fall in under 100 yds.
Bill
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 16, 2003, 04:51 PM:
Yeah, we disagree, but I'll get over it.
My standards may be looser in some aspects and a lot more stringent, in others.
I require bang/flop. The 223 fails. Some animals fuss, some move, some need another shot.
A 22-250 or better, you just don't see that stuff. I don't care about exits, it's better than surface splashes. If I hit a bone, I get more damage, but he's always dead; right where I expect him to be.
I cannot predict the range. Some animals are killed inside fifty yards and some are ten times the distance. I won't handicap myself with a marginal cartridge. I prefer heavy bullets and high velocity.
Bill, you may have found the perfect setup for MO, but it will be a cold day before (I) use a 223 on predators. Not when I have superior guns available.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on July 16, 2003, 08:26 PM:
35mm...
The only thing I have shot coyotes with is a Canon FTb w/85-205mm zoom lense, with Fuji film.
When I am taking a gun for a walk, it's either a Remington model 722 in .222, or an Armsport 20ga O/U, loaded with a salt and pepper load of #4 buck buffered with reclaimed #2 shot (so after I have had enough of getting skunked hunting coyotes, I can get skunked hunting crows... at least I have fired on them)
Jeff 
[ July 16, 2003, 08:27 PM: Message edited by: Krustyklimber ]
Posted by Bill (Member # 49) on July 16, 2003, 09:19 PM:
Unlike my big game rifles, my predator rifle has been constant. I started off with a 22-250 and seen no reason to change. I have given in on a couple of occasions to different calibers but they have not seen hardly any serious use in the field.
Bill
Posted by Purple220 (Member # 173) on July 17, 2003, 08:15 AM:
I use a Swift mostly (220 Swift for the newbies) LOL. I have killed yotes with every centerfire I have from 17Rem to 300's. The best gun is what ever I have in the hands at that present time. Did I say I really like the Swift??? ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Bob
Posted by Terry Hunter (Member # 58) on July 20, 2003, 11:01 AM:
The 6mm is the caliber I use 90% of the time.It will anchor coyotes before they can get into the thick woods.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 20, 2003, 11:07 AM:
Terry, a man of few words! I couldn't agree more. My choice for daylight stands in heavy cover has always been a 6MM Remington. I love it.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Curt2u (Member # 74) on July 20, 2003, 03:06 PM:
22-250 and .223 see an even amount of use for me. Only times I've had a problem with the .223 is a couple times trying long shots with a 16", and that was more of a range issue. The only follow up shots I normally have to take is if I just plain miss or the occaisional spinner from a bungled shot that can happen with any caliber. The 24" .223 seems to perform as well as my 22-250. Bang, flop with monotonous regularity.
If I had to pick an all around favorite, I suppose it would be the 22-250 for the type of hunting I do. Then again I've had such consistently good results with my 24" .223 AR the last couple years it is an extremely close runner up. Especially in the multiple target arena. Then it outperforms my 22-250.
12 gauge semi-auto for the woods. Love it!
I really like the 220 Swift too. Plan on getting a replacement for the one I sold.
I use a .270 now and then. It always has performed admirably for me with surprisingly little fur damage.
Jury is still out for me on the .243. Haven't used it enough to accurately comment on it. I know it should knock a coyotes socks off but I've actually had more mixed results with it than any of the above mentioned caliber's. Been so happy with the other caliber's haven't set any time aside to work out the performance problems. I'm sure it will work fine when I do.
.308...the few times I've used it for coyotes it worked very well.
Being an owner and lover of Glock handguns I know what it is like to own a firearm that others either love or hate. For this reason the .17 has always intrigued me somewhat. There are a few guys that just love this cal and do good with it. Others hate it and condemn it as useless. I wish it was offered in more variations than it is. I'd probably get one to try out.
All said and done though, my personal feeling is that coyotes can be killed effectively with any of the caliber's mentioned in this thread (plus a whole bunch more) if the shooter knows his rifle, uses an effective bullet and most importantly, puts the bullet in the kill zone.
Take care, Curt
Posted by Tackdriver (Member # 203) on July 20, 2003, 05:11 PM:
Lets see
17 Remington
22-250 Remington
10 Gauge shotgun
For varied conditins.
Posted by Richard Grantham (Member # 107) on July 20, 2003, 06:30 PM:
Longest shots has been with 270 and 243, bang-flop. However most coyotes have been with 222 and 223- always seemed like plenty of gun, had a few runners gut shot, but chest shots pretty much dropped. I just recieved my Rem 788 back with 6x45 Douglas barrel on it, time will tell how 75-80 grains does at 2700-2900 fps, not shocking but I probably couldn't hit them too far away anyway!!! I agree with Leonard the 6mm is a wonderful cartridge, much easier to reload than 243, used one for years on everything- never a loss, but never shot anything bigger than deer and antelopes with it.
Richard Grantham ps killed several coyotes out of cars with 22 pistol- but its too small really.
Posted by Barry (Member # 34) on July 21, 2003, 08:12 PM:
22-250AI.
264 win-mag.
300 RUM
223
Posted by RayG (Member # 9) on July 22, 2003, 11:32 AM:
243 with flop'em drop'em bullets. If that ain't enough turn up the heat with 6.5x55 blow'em a new one bullets. Catch and release program.
Posted by Greenside (Member # 10) on July 22, 2003, 12:10 PM:
Mainly 22-250's here, but occasional use of a ruger1 in 25-06, a .260 Rem and a 264 mag.
Ray
What's your blow him a new one bullet in the 6.5x55? 120's or above or do the lighter bullets do more damage from your point of view? Thanks
Dennis
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on July 22, 2003, 04:05 PM:
Kinda embarrassing to say in this crowd when reading that most have several calibers for predator hunting. But I only own one caliber that I consider designed for predators. 22.250.
Greenside, I see you mentioned the .260 Rem? How do you like this caliber for a deer,antelope, heavy coyote cartridge? I know a guy who wants to sell one at a very fair price. I was tossing around the idea of getting it for when my boys get old enough to hunt or when the wife wants to hunt. Any thoughts would appreciated. Thanks
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 22, 2003, 07:07 PM:
Lonny, you picked a good one, to start with, so you don't need anything else.
Sounds smart, to me.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Greenside (Member # 10) on July 23, 2003, 06:36 AM:
Lonny
For me, the .260 was purchased for an alternative round for my .264 I've owned the 264 since 1968 and really got to like the ballistics of the 6.5 bullets. The problem I have with the 264 is that it kicks like a mule. It's a 700 ADL 26" fast taper barrel with no recoil pad. A very light gun that when loaded with around 70 grs of powder it could turn into a real eye bunger, no matter what bullet weight was used. That gun will give you a major flich problem when shooting multiple rounds.
I mostly used 90 gr hollow points in .264 and it basically turned coyotes inside out. Diffinetly red mist rounds.
The 260 is a Rem 700 VLS with a 26" Bull Barrel. A heavy gun with marginal recoil. Fun gun to shoot. I'm still working on load development, haven't really found one to group tight. The gun has shot 120 BT's at around 3050 ft\sec, not to shabby in my book!
So far I have only shot a few coyotes with it. No deer or antelope as of yet. I'm sure it would work very will for both species.
Dennis
Posted by RayG (Member # 9) on July 23, 2003, 11:24 AM:
Greenside,
A .264 Sierra 100 gr hollowpoint, and it does create a lot of damage. Not something to use if you are interested in fur gathering, that's for certain. Come to think of it, I don't think I have any bullets any heavier than 100 gr. in that caliber.
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on July 23, 2003, 04:10 PM:
Thanks Dennis. I was thinking the 120 BT might be a nice bullet for the .260 Rem. I was also thinking the 100gr. Partition might be nice for deer or antelope. The 100gr. Partition might not wreck a coyote too terribly bad either if used on one while deer hunting in November and wanted to save the hide.
Posted by varmit hunter (Member # 37) on July 24, 2003, 10:04 AM:
I think all of you can tell I am a gunaholic. 
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 24, 2003, 10:39 AM:
Hey Ronnie,
That black gun at the bottom. How do you like the holosite rig for predators? I've been thinking of setting up my 835 with one, but it's so handy for everything else, I hesitate to mess with it.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by varmit hunter (Member # 37) on July 24, 2003, 11:14 AM:
Only had it two weeks. Think I am going to really like it. Will be super fast for that second, Are even third Coyote.
The is the Mod II which I think is a great improvement over Mod I. Nothing shabby about the Mod I though.
Posted by WhiteMtnCur (Member # 5) on July 24, 2003, 01:13 PM:
Ronnie, one more question about the holosite. How easy is target acquisition with the one you have? Does it seem to slow you down at all compared to open sights, or is it still pretty fast?
Posted by Curt2u (Member # 74) on July 24, 2003, 02:02 PM:
Not to butt in. I did some work on a AR for a SERT team member recently. He had the Holosite on it. Not sure which. He uses it for an entry gun. Flashlights, lasers and picatinney rails all over the dang thing. Took it out to test fire it after the work was done and was very impressed. All the shooting was between 70 and 100 yards. Keeping shots on a paper plate off hand was easy. I thought target acquisition was faster than iron sights. For close work it would be a great tool. On a shotgun it would be even better yet! I want one.
Posted by BillfMO (Member # 192) on July 24, 2003, 04:04 PM:
I'll put my 2 cents in on the holsite. I have had an EOtech sight now for about 2 months. For fast target acquistion it can't be bet in my book. One con is not being about to pick out the target that is out there 1 to 200 yds behind a tree or something. With a scope you may be able to see that you have a open shot, but without magnification you can't tell if you have a shot or not. On a open target this sight is good for 0-200 yd. As I have shot many quart oil cans at 200+ yds. The EOtech has a 1 MOA dot covering 2" at 200. Not so big that it covers the whole kill zone. I have at this time went back to a 1.5X4.5 shotgun scope that I got early this summer for the magnification. This fall I most likely will give the EO a try though. As with any and all things there are pro's & con's.
Posted by BillfMO (Member # 192) on July 24, 2003, 04:55 PM:
Guess I hit the add button to soon. I left out the most important pro for the holosight in my book. When I am on stand here you can get caught with your pants down so to speak. You never know Mr Coyote is there until he sticks out his head at 30-50 yds. You may get the rifle up but not been able to get into the stock the way you should. With the EO as long as you can see the dot and it is in the kill zone he's dead. With scopes I think I have missed more times because of just that than anything else.
Posted by brad h (Member # 57) on July 24, 2003, 06:43 PM:
I use a Ruger 220 Swift. That's my money gun. When that's wore out I have another just like it I'll start using. My non fur gun will be my "built some time in the 50s" Win Mod. 70 270. I inherited it from my grandpa. It touches holes on paper at 100 yds. How many rounds have gone through it, I'll never know. Why it shoots like that, I'll never know. What I do know is I'll have a lot of fun with it if I can pry myself away from that Swift.
Brad
Posted by varmit hunter (Member # 37) on July 24, 2003, 07:25 PM:
BillFMO. You are right about the pants down thing. I shot it right handed, Left handed. I then rested the rifle between my knees with the stock about 10" in front of my chest. Then turned it sideways.
It just dosen't matter. Where ever the dot is so goes the bullet.
Posted by Bofire (Member # 221) on July 25, 2003, 04:19 PM:
Hello all, I am new here.
I am an old fart and some other boards have caled me a fossil. I shot the barrel out of a Garand when I was 13, shot the barrel out of a 7mmMag. at 25.My fav. caliber of all time is the 300 Win Mag. and it(they) have killed a number of yotes and game, at long range I love the caliber and load. for yotes in "perticerler" I started using a 223 and so far it "pops and flops" however I am a careful shot and will not shoot unless sure. Although I know a miss will hapen sooner or later.
There are many fine calibers, I love the 22-250 but don't own one,did before, I bet it works good.
Don't worry about it, get a call go hunting, have fun, they all work.
Carl
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 25, 2003, 07:57 PM:
Well, doggone if I didn't forget to welcome you to the New Huntmasters, Bofire! I guess it's because I have talked with you in the PM chat room before?
Anyway, glad to have you on board!
Good hunting. LB
Posted by jerry (Member # 195) on July 25, 2003, 09:30 PM:
I have taken most of my coyotes with my a.r., 16 inch bushmaster , But ill admit most of my coyotes are called in and harvested at 70 yrds or less , most much less . i also have used a model 7 in 223 , a H and r ultra varminter, older L-461 sako action . in 223 , and a sig arms in 25-06. I just got a tikka 22-250 and plan on useing it this season . ( maybe) LOL. its pretty hard to leave the a.r. at home , its become part of my body , and i miss very few with it . I agree the 223 is best used for 300 yrds and less , 300 yrds is a push , but i have sure dropped them out there with it . I think bullet choice is the most important issue . i found the 40 gr. b.t. to be lacking in a 223 if used at extended ranges . my favorite fur friendly round is the sierra 52 gr. hollow point . Anchors them just fine for me .
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