Coyote rifle (what caliber)

[ISP 5353]

​I like my .223s for coyotes.

 

[NHT3]

6.8 spc works for about anything around here

 

[ru44mag]

If you are expecting the really long shots, go with the .243. If most of your shots are less than 200 yards go with the .223. One great thing about the .243 is it could double as a deer rifle if you hunt on private land. The great thing about the .223 is the ammo is so cheap and so available. I bought the .223 in a bolt action for this reason with no intention of ever getting one of those evil black rifles. But now that I have 2 of those evil black rifles, I have 3 rifles that shoot the same inexpensive ammo. You can also bump up to a 77 grain bullet if you don't think the 55 grain has enough thump.

 

[Mgderf]

.204 Ruger is a great coyote round within it's limitations.
That little pill doesn't buck wind very well, but on a calm day it can really reach out there.
The other down side is that most factory .204 offerings are on the spendy side.

 

[Bfish]

I've never had a long shot. I've only had one time ever where I've had a coyote at yardage I didn't shoot at and would have with more rifle. I just use a 223. I don't think I've ever shot at one beyond 250ish Otherwise where I hunt if they aren't coming to a call 600ish is about as far as I can shoot with the crops out. One day I may use a precision gun in a few spots but on a call an AR gets the nod. Some of the guys recommending something like a 6.5 or a 22-250 etc are good options depending on what you want to do too.

 

[ghitch75]

243 is fine for me as leave them for the buzzers....

 

[Whitsettd8]

A 22-250 or .204 is going to make longer shots easier. A 22.250 is a laser beam out to 300 yards its my choice. I cant comment on a .243 as I don't own one but if I were buying something new and didn't already own a 22.250 I would probably go with the .243 as others mentioned it would double as a deer rifle.

 

[42769vette]

I've killed totes with

22lr
20 ga (shot and slug)
12 ga (just shot)
204 ruger
223
220 swift
22-250
243
260
7mm
308
30-06
300 winny
338 lapua
358 bfg

And a few calibers I'm not thinking about right now. If I had to pick 1 caliber to do the job it would probably be the 260 (very similar to the 6.5 creedmoor in case you have never heard of it) with the 140 grain amax.

Of these these most were targets of opportunity. Of the rifles I've walked out the door to hunt totes with the 204 ruger is the only one I would not try again. I hunt in open long range country, and that light bullet dances to much in the wind, and I could care less about pelt damage.

 

[Mgderf]

A 22-250 or .204 is going to make longer shots easier. A 22.250 is a laser beam out to 300 yards its my choice. I cant comment on a .243 as I don't own one but if I were buying something new and didn't already own a 22.250 I would probably go with the .243 as others mentioned it would double as a deer rifle.

On private property, or another state.

 

[Whitsettd8]

On private property, or another state.

Private property this year.

 

[johntheplinker]

I use a 223 for almost all my yote hunting. Most are shot at less than 200 yards, with a very high percentage under 100. Down here in the woods and hills 300 is a long, long, long shot. If I lived someplace where longer shots were the norm I'd go with something in 6mm.
Already mentioned a big thing in 223's favor is ammo is cheap and there is a ton of different varieties so if you don't handload it wouldn't be difficult to find one that shoots well in your rifle. I've been using a 55 gr Hornady soft point load lately, bullet goes in and don't come out. Last one I shot at about 40yards sloshed when I picked it up, his innards were so thoroughly scrambled.
As far as rifles, I use a Tikka T3 compact for most of my hunting. Light and deadly accurate. Occasionally especially in thicker areas I'll use a AR for a quicker followup if needed.

 

[Leadeye]

44 Mag Marlin. Here in the woods you just can't see anything very far away, I'm always tipped off by the sound of them moving before I see them.

 

[rransford]

I've used 223 in the past. I recently picked up a 22-250 and am eager to see how well that does this year.

 

[Slonsteady]

This has been a very helpfully topic. I have been using my 22 lr with stingers DRT at 75 yards. I am looking to extend my range to 200 which will more than cover my shooting sites. I think with the dense woods and small fields I frequent the 223 will be my choice for a bolt action under the Christmas tree in December. Thanks for the helpful input. Good hunting all.

 

[Rookie]

 

[Sniper 79]

My 243 has killed many coyote, but dang, it blows a hole in them. Never a run off with it either. It'll cut a Fox in two. The only reason I switched to 204 is for possible Fox encounters. If I'm in an area where I never see Fox or an area where the hogs lurk, then I'm launching 80 grains of destruction out of the 243.

Yes I used a 243 first couple years of yote hunting along with a shot gun. 243 was unreal. Could stick your arm through the hole it left. Dead before they hit the ground. Drilled a hog with that rifle aswell. I can't put into words how the big hog streight up died! Spectacular!

 

[Hoosier Carry]

Nice Rookie! Love it.


Coyotes Beware

 

[Hoosier Carry]

Just googled the scope on that (mklll hunter) , that is cool. I want one, ....when my lotto numbers hit that is.

 

[Ggreen]

I alternate between my 17WSM and one of my 223 AR15's. I will be pretty exclusive to the 17WSM once my tax stamp comes back for my suppressor. I like to hunt at night and the fields can be dotted with equipment left out by farmers so anything over 223 is off the table for me. The WSM will outshoot my light and the 223 could double my WSM in range. At 200 yards the 20gr hornady is still carrying 75 ft lbs of energy and has dropped around 10 inches with a 100 yard zero. The suppressor will help keep the landowners happy and the ballistics keep my rounds from carrying too far.

 

[KJQ6945]

Hello hunting partner.