.204, .22-250, or .243 for coyotes?

Do you reload?

If not, out of the cartridges you've listed i would add .223 in there or go .204. Unless money isn't an option.

If you do reload...well just pick one. We shoot Coyotes with anything we're carrying at the time as we're not fur takers and don't care about the pelts, more concerned about thinning them out for the deer, cattle, and rabbits. When i hunt coyotes i use my 18" SPR
 
Last edited:
Pick your poison, get a good scope, and practice.
Click to expand...

Unless money is no object, in order to facilitate more practice, then the answer is: None of the Above.

.223 will do anything you you need for coyotes* to 300 yards, and do it cheaper by half than any of the above.


*They don't call them "poodleshooters" for nothing!
 
Any of the three listed will work just fine. Different conditions will potentially highlight the advantages or shortcomings of each. I like varmint rifles and so I have all three as well as a 223 and 25-06. I will tell you straight out that I shoot the 223 more than the rest combined. The 25-06 comes out when longer shots are expected and the wind is gusting more than normal. I have a weird fascination with the 22-250 though so if I had to pare down to just one varmint rifle that would be the one to stay.
 
Bullet choice is as important as cartridge choice. I've shot quite a few coyotes with the 22/250 and using the right bullet results in DRT and most times no exit. The wrong bullet(even though labeled as a varmint type) in a 223 has showed lots of hide damage from exit wounds plus more run offs. I quit using the 243 prior to the current extra lightweight polymer tipped bullets. My 243 bullet choice in the old days was the Sierra 70 match BTHP. If you really don't want pelt damage, go to the 17 HMR and keep your shots under 150 yards. Oh yeah, don't hit them around the edges regardless of caliber.
 
If you reload, I with go with Austin and Col Whelen and select the 257 Roberts.

i have been shooting mine since 1977 and kept it over a couple of 243 and a 223.
 
Take a look at bullets B.C. of the three caliber cartridges. The 243 bullet has the highest B.C. for standard rifleing. Some 223 rifles have faster rifleing than 1-12 which will handle the bullets in the 70 grain range. Get a rifle that will shoot sub 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards and any of the three cartridges will do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top