Coyote Caliber

I found that in general, I've not seen coyotes all that far out where long shots are really important. So far, my .223 has been plenty good. But, if there is a real expectation of shots beyond 250 to 300 yards, any of the .22 centerfire magnums or a .243 would do just fine.
 
I use my .243 loaded with 75 gr varmint HPs. That load is going close to 3400 fps and it is plenty to ruin a coyotes day at any range inside of 400 yards.
 
We have killed many in close with a SG and buckshot. I like my Ruger 77 in .223 mainly because ammo is cheap and plentiful. Never had a need for one of the super hot .22 center fires.
 
Yup, they can come surprisingly close. I've pulled off (somehow) ;) hunting them with a mini 14. Any of the light varmint class bullets will take care of a yote. With those bullets shot placement is critical..... You must hit them between any two of the four legs ;)

I was shocked at how frail to gunshot wounds coyotes actually are. It is in sharp contrast to A raccoon that can take a nuke to the skull and get angry at you
 
I generally take my .22 wmr as well as my .243. Any yotes pop up inside a hundred yards and the wmr gets the nod, anything further and well that's where the .243 shines.
 
I don't hunt specifically for coyotes, but do take any I come across while hunting other game, and have used calibers ranging from .22 LR to .270 Win with good results.

If I was to go coyote hunting, it would most likely be with my .22 Hornet. Low recoil and noise, light weight, relatively cheap to shoot, and still more than enough power for yotes as far out as I would care to shoot.
 
If we're talking over 300 yards, my vote would be for the .25-06. It still has enough power for one shot drops way out there...

Tony
 
Here's the calibers I use, 300 yards or less 223, out to 400 yards a 22-250, from 400 yards on I use my bull barrel 243.

I have a coyote hunting buddy that killed one a while back at a little over 460yards with a bull barrel 220 swift.

I don't know about anywhere else but here in our neck of the woods the coyotes seem to have a strong tenacity for living.

I shot one with a 22-250 about a 1/4 mile out, did not dupe the wind right and hit him a little further back then I intended.
He took off at a run, dragging his guts across a frozen bean stubble field, crossed two fences and 3/4 of a mile later I caught up with him.
He was alive but exhausted, I finished what I started.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
To be fair, I kill them at close ranges, at night, I only target those that cause problems and I lay in wait. When I hear them approaching or catch a glimpse of them approaching. Occasionally I call one in. At that point, I turn on my gun light and aim carefully. The red light does not phase them at all.
The beauty of it all is this; a good swift flick of the safety causes them to stop and look in my direction. perfect moment to take the shot.

I took a friend with me once that thought my method was incredulous. Within the hour, without a call, I whispered to him "There is a coyote straight ahead"..."Where?" he says. "Right there, sitting" I say as I illuminated the coyote. the coyote was leisurely sitting about 50yds dead ahead and scanning. My buddy had brought his SuperSomthingOrOther 270 deer rifle. I patiently waited as he chambered a round, the coyote didn't budge an inch. Buddy assumed some fancy firing position. I was dumbfounded as I watched the dirt splash about two feet to the left of the coyote. The coyote peals out, flinging dirt, and sticks in the air.......Buddy excitedly asked "Did I get him??" I replied "UMMMM, I think the bullet went right through him, it was weird!"...I played like I was looking for the carcass and blood for a bit. I shoulda told him the truth but I didn't have the heart.
That was a bonus story, sorry lol


My point is that my ballistic needs are going to be different from the next guys and so on.
 
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.243 Win, .25-06, .270 win.
The .270 is able to hunt game up to the size of Elk (and it's said you can take any animal on the plant with the right load) the downside is more recoil, which really isn't all that bad, but it certainly has more than the smaller cartridges.

I was dumbfounded as I watched the dirt splash about two feet to the left of the coyote.
Click to expand...
Wow! Your friend hit 2 feet left of the target @ 50 yards!? What happened was his optics messed up? That is horrid accuracy. I wouldn't hunt with a friend that made a shot like that.
 
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Wide open spaces can have different meanings to it. Are we talking 7-800 yards here. Or far less. It would think it depends on the terrain one has in their area. Where I hunt. 200 yards is wide open spaces. Some would get a chuckle out of even considering to hunt on 200 yard grounds. But it does still take all the precision I can put forth to drop an animal as anyone else uses at much longer distances. When I use my 25-06 I know I'm over-guned for the purpose. If I again use my 223 I feel kind'a under-guned. So I've chosen to split the difference. I use my 243 allot of the time. I know the 243 again is on the edge of more gun than is needed. But I'm comfortable with that. My partner or hunting companion swears by his 204 Ruger as its being the best cartridge for the purpose. As to which caliber is best? I suppose its what ever someone has available that they can shoot well and have the confidence knowing "Yep I know can make that shot!!" would be my best answer to this question.

S/S
 
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