So Daryl in your opinion .204 should work fine on coyotes?
BLS700,
It's not just my opinion; it's a proven fact. The .204 is plenty for coyotes out to 300 yards or so, and farther if the shooter is up to it.
I've shot coyotes with a .17 Remington, using a 25 grain Berger match bullet at around 3800-3900 fps. It works very well on coyotes out to about 250-300 yards; about the same range as a .223, but the bullet shoots flatter and doesn't usually exit. You DO need to hit them right.
The .204 is a step up from the .17 Rem (not to be confused with the .17 HMR, which is a rimfire that doesn't even come close). It'll kill coyotes just as well, and most likely a bit farther with good hits. I have friends who use the .204, and they all report good results in both killing power and minimal fur damage.
Like I said in my earlier post though, if the shooter isn't confident in placing a bullet correctly at whatever range they'll be shooting at, the 22-250 or .243 gives you more margin for error. Pretty much any solid body shot with either will anchor a coyote. Even if it's still alive, they just aren't likely to go anywhere (on that note, I don't try for just any body shot, but when you've shot lots and lots of coyotes, things sometimes happen. I was a beginner once, too). The 22-250 and .243 are both hard on fur though, so everything is a trade-off. I feel pretty sure that I've killed in excess of 1000 coyotes with a .243 over many years, and probably around 250-300 with a 22-250
My opinion is that the .17 Rem is sort of an experienced caller's cartridge for coyotes. You have to place that bullet just right. The .223 and the .204 are likely better for a caller that isn't as experienced, and hasn't learned yet what to expect of a coyote on stand, but still wants to utilize the fur. The new guy will get more excited, and will get surprised on stand more often by a coyote, so they're more apt to rush the shot a bit. The heavier bullets of these two offer a bit more margin for error, without destroying furs more than necessary.
The '250 and the .243 are hammers on coyotes, and will likely ruin more furs then they'll save. Many don't care, since they don't skin them anyway. I've sewed up enough furs that I feel qualified to say these two generally aren't fur friendly, no matter the load. I still have a nice pre-64 Win 70 in .243 in my safe, and while I love the rifle and cartridge, I haven't shot a coyote with that rifle in years. It's just too messy, and I've shot more than enough coyotes with it to know.
Daryl