Small coyote caliber

Status
Not open for further replies.
H

HALLAUSTIN

New member
I am looking for a small coyote caliber, I would like to make coyote pelts. Preferibly in a bolt action. I have a lever action 22lr that i can hit a soda can 9/10 times at 100 yards. Would that work or would I be chasing tiny blood trails? Please before you say shot placement, shot placement, shot placement remember that a heat, heart, or lung shot would not be a problem. But at 30-60 yards would my 22 work? And if not please tell me what fits the bill.
 
Last edited:
i would pic up something like a 17hmr or a .204 ruger. even a bolt action .223 would work.

really comes down to choice.
 
For coyote my choice (humane kill) would be a minimum of .22 WMR with something similar to Hornady 45gr FTX. Or, better yet, .223 65gr-75gr HP. Heck, you could get by with a round like Hornady 30gr V-Max but that's pushing it a little bit.
 
I was thinking about a 223, I've never shot a 17hmr though, can they drop a yote where it stands? Cause im not big on chasing wounded predators, even a small coyote... But I would like something other than my 22, but if I stay with the 22 (hypothetical) would those stinger rounds do the deed cleanly? I dont want to cause excess pain just because I want a smaller hole... Shot one with a 30-30 and ruined a nice hide :( dont want to ruin hides but dont want to wound/maime an animal either.
 
Last edited:
^^^ Some say a .17 HMR will drop coyotes where they stand but I'm not convinced. My choice would be a minimum .22 HMR with relatively heavy ballistic-tip ammo... and .223 ballistic-tip or hollow point ammo would be even better. I (personally) would NEVER use .17 HMR for coyote unless it was it just a little pup and/or I had no other choice.
 
.204 Ruger.

.22lr will work given good shot placement and within its range.

Bullet choice has a lot to do with preserving pelts.
 
I also have a 22lr that I can hit a can at 100 yards no problem but 9 out of 10 coyotes you hit will probably run to the county. Even head shots are a big problem with something that small for alot of shots. A 223 I'n my opinion is best for coyotes and then use Full metal jackets and small hole I'n and small hole out and coyote hits ground and stays there and you can even make shots to 250 yards easy! Plus the ammo is about as cheap as they come and if you're a reloader it's even cheaper. 223 Best coyote medicine hands down. Yep go price ammo for a 22-250, 17, 204, or whatever it's pricey and basically a small bullet. And for your 30-06 you'd do too much damage to pelt and again, check price of ammo.
 
So 17HMR works, buts its not all that clean. I would prefer a clean kill. Does 223 tumble it coyotes? And even if it did im sure it wouldnt be as messy as a 30-30 Im almost sure. Well this is helpful information, please keep it coming :D
 
i have to manage wildlife on an airport and have taken coyote, deer and every other small crawly furry critter under the sun with a 17

personally I would pick something like the 204 or as someone else mentioned a 22-250 or a 220 swift
 
Towboat, yep those are all awesome varmit calibers but again now let's see howmany stores carry which calibers and then let's price the ammo. Everyone has 223's and they are half the cost or more than all the rest and make the same shots with a 223
 
"I would like to make coyote pelts."

Folks haven't been reading that, apparently.

For handloaders, a .223 with 35- or 40-grain bullets likely would not have exit wounds on a body shot.

Otherwise, I know one hide-hunter who calls them in and uses a .22 rimfire magnum--but he tries to hold his shots to around 50 yards.

Headshots with a .22 rimfire should work okay.
 
even with .223 if your looking for 75 grain coyote killers they are not going to be your cheap surplus ammo. you are going to pay for them, 20 of the higher end nicer hunting loads for 223 will be more than a box of 50 17 rounds
 
Midways prices: 17 20 grain Remington AT BT $27.99. 223 50 grain JHP $12.99. 17's are pricey. Personally I'd shoot 223 FMJ's really cheap
 
Golden bear FMJ $5.89 item 611-032. I can't find hardly no 17 I'n midways magazine anyway i personally reload and it is very cheap for 223
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top