PPHA Forums
Predator Hunting => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Buckwheat on January 29, 2013, 07:53:16 PM
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If you had to hunt (only) pa coyotes. What caliber would you pick and why?
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I would pick the 204 Ruger. Its fast and packs a good knock down punch. It can reach out further than I can effectively shoot! (LOL) It's very similar to 223, but much easier to find ammo for....especially since every one is buying the 223 rounds for their AR's.
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Have you considered the 22-250 ?? Its another great option......
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Simple .223. One thats sighted in with a 50 or 55 gr bullet about a 1-1.5 high at 100 will kill out to 250 with no holdover. It has the energy needed to put down critters as well. The 22-250 doesnt have much of an edge other then speed. The ballistic profiles are within and inch or two.
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.223 is the best
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Simple .223. One thats sighted in with a 50 or 55 gr bullet about a 1-1.5 high at 100 will kill out to 250 with no holdover. It has the energy needed to put down critters as well. The 22-250 doesnt have much of an edge other then speed. The ballistic profiles are within and inch or two.
I agree that's why I use the .223
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Ok,
I would pick in order, 243, 22-250, 204, 17 rem, 223.
So now let,s say you are in a hunt and you only have one shot at a coyote and you own these guns and or just as good with each what one would you use to shoot in a contest and you only have one shot to win a $5000 contest?
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I like the 22-250. But thats coming from a guy who deosn't shoot over 200 yards (Typically)
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204
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223 lots of load choices. Get a youth model,they are great to carry.
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My gunsmith has a fair amount of custom guns he makes for high volume Western coyote hunters. He told me all they buy is .243 Ackley Improved. Also, they shoot some type of multiple core bullet that nobody is known to be making right now. He mentioned receiving some complaints the .204 lost some coyotes for guys. Not my thoughts...just passing them along.
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I guess it all comes down to personal preference. If the round is placed in the right spot, I'd say all the guns mentioned will do the job. Some people like Fords, others swear by Chevy's..... LOL
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I have lost to many coyotes to the 204. I admit that there are probably better bullets than v-max to use but am now using a 223 and a 223 wssm. My problem, I have yet to get out and do some serious calling.
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Ok,
I would pick in order, 243, 22-250, 204, 17 rem, 223.
So now let,s say you are in a hunt and you only have one shot at a coyote and you own these guns and or just as good with each what one would you use to shoot in a contest and you only have one shot to win a $5000 contest?
Most likely my .223 as well. Im comfortable with it and more then confident that my bullet will put the animal down. I definately wouldnt even think of using a 204 or 17. I have a .243 and even tho i still wouldnt choose it first.
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223 wssm has amazing ballistics!
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I asked these questions about what coyote rifle a person should use is because I get asked every year. There has been a lot of calibers over the last 5 or 10 years sold as the new best calibers. In my list of calibers I listed the 223 as the last pick I would make. Well I lied, just to see what people would say and maybe get a good discussion going. My real order that I would pick would put the 223 right under the 22-250 and it beats out the my loved 17 rem.
I just think we have nice sized coyotes and if you want to shoot them use a gun that can get the job done. If you really want a coyote do not worry to much about fur damage. You can not hold one up for a picture if it runs off and dies.
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My picks would be 243, 22-250, 223 in that order. I kinda like the the 223 caliber and have killed many big westeran coyotes with it.
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Well if I had only one caliber I would say my .243. I love the ability to change bullet weight with minimal zero change. I switched last year to the Hornady 95gr SST for both deer and coyote. I had the luck to put down two deer with that round and am thoroughly impressed. Passthrough with great expansion and retained about 80% of bullet weight. I haven't shot a coyote with it yet but have bagged six fox and ten raccoon with it. Minimal hide damage on fox and coon.....but didn't hit any large bones to act like a frag grenade. That being said I have a TC Contender with 223 on it and I love it too......just slower on follow up shots. I have a Savage 222 that is absolutely amazing to shoot it was my fathers. I want to switch to that full time for predators but need to get better optics. It now has a 4X Unertyl with Weaver 1degreee sidemount. So until I can get a good optic will stick with the .243 guys. Its a Remington Model 788 and my son had the carbine version of the same rifle. Hope to start reloading soon have all that I need just gotta set up a bench. Really enjoy hearing everyone's opinions!!!
Chris
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22.250 for me. it shoots better than my .223
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If anyone has shot coyotes with the .243 it would really help to hear to what extent the fur was damaged, what load, how far, where hit, etc.
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Savage: Model: 12 VLP DBM .243
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I'd go with a .223. The ammo is cheap and there are plenty of gun and ammo manufacturers to choose from. The ballistics are perfect for coyotes, as long as you are not trying to make shots more than 300 yards.
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Ernie, As you well know I don't kill to many Pa coyotes. If'n I had to chose a caliber for out here, of the ones you listed, my first choice would be my little Sako Vixen, .223 that is what I use for "recreational" calling, second choice is my Rem 7, in 22-250, I use this rifle for those hunts we have for charity and/or bragging rights, gives me just a tad more range and knock down power. Although it is only a charity/bragging rights hunt I still like to win. Now for the money hunts, of the calibers you listed I use my Rem 700 BDL in .243. But in reality I use my Win Mdl 70 in .308 or my Rem 700SPS in 25.06. We just finished up a charity hunt last weekend - I killed nothing! It rained both days, I told my partner I have a friend from PA who visited a couple of years ago and it rained the entire time he was out here, he must be planning on coming back out! Two weeks ago we entered a money hunt and came in first.
Seeking Coyotes - I belong to three Predator clubs and am the President of one of them, we have no one, that I'm aware of that shoots a .243AI.
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John
Nice to see your input stranger.
I use to ask the guys what they like to shoot for coyotes when they needed to win money hunts. In publick they talked up what ever caliber there Sponcer was pushing. But when it came to there money out of there pocket in the money hunts they carried enought gun. Time wasted looking for a coyote or maybe never find could cost the prize money. I push bigger guns for guys here because they may only get one shot a year and most either end up with a miss or have a hit runner at there one shot of the year. Most here hunt at night and if it is not dead right were they shoot it they may never find it. They do not even know if they hit it. Heck, at one time I use to use a 243 for a 12 lb fox and my partner used a 220 swift. So I have no problem telling guys here in the north east to shoot enought gun for a 40 or 50 lb coyotes.
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I should have also added that when it comes to coyotes I am not interested in saving fur. For the most part a desert coyote is only worth a very few bucks, even when prime and high fur prices. I don't skin them anymore.
However when it comes to bobcats I do skin as they are bring upwards of $200. If I'm calling for bobcats in heavy cover I use a shotgun or a 22Mag. Would have hated to hit this one with a large caliber.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/johnp18/Cats/BillOct09001.jpg)
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Hey, stop showing off those bobcats.
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good thread Ernie thank you for starting it. I don't know much about Bobcats but I've always heard that a 223 is the minimum caliber?
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Seeking coyotes
There are a lot of calibers to use for a cat. John has been a hunter of men in wars and has helped others. He can keep his control on his shooting a lot better under control then most people hunting will ever have to. That little guy is a mans man. He could get away with a lot less gun if he wants to.
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Every one of these bobcats died as a result of a Federal 22Mag. All killed at ten yards or less the most one ran was twenty yards. If you call them in close you don’t need much gun. The cat in the last photo was killed with a Ruger 10/22. The cat in the first photo was called in close with that ugly useless closed reed call.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/johnp18/Cats/Bobcat-Nov405008.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/johnp18/Cats/Bobcat-Nov405002.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/johnp18/Cats/Bobcat-Nov405004.jpg)
This guy died as a result of a 22LR, Ruger10/22
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/johnp18/Cats/Bobcat.jpg)
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John
I did get lucky this year and shot a nice PA bobcat with one of them ugly calls also.
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Rem. 700 Heavy bore .223 at 100Yrs. busted through 1/8 steel plate N/P
and Ammo would not be any Problem to get 556 will be there for a long time.
20 Yrs in the Army I like the 700 series, in a 223 or a 308 I have both and I guess I am Bias :-\
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I've only killed one coyote but i love my 223 for everything
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Interesting to look at what caliber those who won the Cresson Coyote contest used:
Coyote Results Name County Date Time Weight Sex Cal Method
Dustin J. Moyer Clearfield 2/9/2013 10:30 30.1 F 12 ga FoxPro
Josh Leiw Clearfield 2/9/2013 1:00:00 39.6 M 12 ga FoxPro
Brandon D Knee Clearfield 2/9/2013 1:00:00 34.4 M 12 ga FoxPro
Nathan Latterner Cambria 2/9/2013 3:15:00 31.9 M 12 ga FoxPro
Joshua Beltowski Cambria 2/9/2013 5:30:00 32.6 M 22-250 FoxPro
Lewis Santucci Greene 2/10/2013 3:15 35.8 M 243 Calling
Lewis Santucci Greene 2/10/13 11:30 33.1 F 243 Calling
Randy Sepac Greene 2/10/13 7:00 32.4 F 243 Calling
Randy Sepac Greene 2/10/13 8:00 33.5 M 243 Calling
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I stay away from a VMAX! They tend to explode on the surface.
I have also been a bit disappointed in the 17 Fireball for fox.. wow what a ripper it is with 25 grain Hornady HP...
Often wondered how the 17 Hornet is?? But factory ammo last I read only comes in VMAX!!!
When I'm doing some serious coyote hunting it will be with a 22250!!! shoots pretty flat from 0 to about 225 yards.. Most shots are at 100 yards anyway when you predator hunt..However it's a ripper on fox too. But if you want to anchor something I prefer the 22250. I even made one of my Encore actions dedicated to my Encore 24 inch barrel....
This past week end I hunted in the Mosquito Creek hunt... My son used the 22250 Encore and I used 25 grain 17 Fireball reloads in a Encore action..
Wonder how the 17 Hornet does work for fur?
I am really considering going back to the Marlin bolt action 22WMR and the 22 Hornet Encore for fox. Winchester 22 WMR 45 grain Dynapoints just anchor fox so nice! They kill nice at 100 yards too!!I read a report about Dynpoints going deep.. I have tried them and they are working out like the article said...If I was going to use the 22 Hornet for coyotes I would shoot for the head.
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I have been using a 243 for serious coyote hunting and it is hard on them.I think a 222 or 223 would be a good choice.
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They all shoot good if loaded right.I hunt with a .204 and love it but also own a .220 swift and .243 Ackley Improved.They all shoot great and have good points,but Id pick the .243 AI if I had to pick one.Better in the wind and more load options.
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Uncle Buck
I use a 17 hornet and love it. I have not shot a coyote with it but have shot a few fox. Small hole going in and no exit would. I did a lot of research before buying one, and it has great bullistics. Very similar to a 223. Here's a link that might help.
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/2011/11/09/the-new-hornady-17-hornet/
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misterjake23 thank you for posting the info.... I'm sure once I can have an Encore barrel made into this calbier I will do it.. last i checked my source for barrels they were not yet making it... However thanks for posting the info..
I do have the 17 Fireball Encore and 2 each 17 Rem, one in heavy barreled Encore and 700 BDL! the older 17 center fires all shoot with great accuracy and knock down power... I shoot LH so hence my reason I kind of shy awy from RH actions...
Notice the www.eabco.com sell the 219 Wasp in a on the shelf Custom barrel Encore!!! that kind of like a 22250...$325.00 for a gun is not a bad price if you have the action already to change it out too..
Even the old 222 is an excellent predator hunting caliber...Many of the Savage 340 are floating around. Best to get one with the mounts on it already...Heard tell it's hard to find the scope mounts on a savage 340.
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I have the Savage Walking Predator model. Its a middle weight barrel. At 100 yards, I can put 5 shots dead nuts on, all within the size of my thumb nail....Super accurate.