preferred caliber for coyotes

[Topstrap]

While reading down thru all the posts I had a caliber in mind and finally Eddie mentioned it. That new 204 is devastating on critters. It's ultra fast and not much smaller game walks away from a hit with it.

But nearly any caliber that was mentioned would be good, all the various .22 and 6mm calibers. 308 is good with lighter weight bullets as well, bigger rounds also will work well but then they are more expensive to shoot and also will generate more recoil.

Personally since I'm a ultra long range handgunner I have my personal picks but for what you are looking for have you looked at the TC Encore? You can get shotgun barrels, muzzle loader barrels, rifle barrels of nearly any caliber and also pistol length barrels of nearly any rifle caliber. Accuracy is very good out to 500 yards and a bit beyond without anything special being done to them with a decent scope. If you want to try another caliber just pop off the forend, pull the hinge pin and put on another caliber if you wish to use that gun for something else.

They are inexpensive compared to a lot of the bolt guns and a LOT more versatile.

Just some ideas for you to think of that hasn't been mentioned yet.

Good luck and have fun...

Topstrap

 

[gsganzer]

I agree with those recommending the .223 The ammo is cheap and it has very little recoil. It also has plenty of range.

CZ makes a great bolt model at a very affordable price.

 

[N80]

How about a 22 Hornet? I used to have one years ago. It was a cheap little single shot by H&R (I think). No recoil and man it was just scary accurate. We generally shoot coyotes with whichever deer rifle we happen to have. Have thought about getting a dedicated coyote gun but know nothing about which ones are best. I never gone out specifically to hunt coyotes but I could get into it we are just crawling with coyotes. (Getting bored with deer hunting....not sure why). Anyway, I liked the 22 Hornet. Doubt I'd take a shot over 200 yards.

Also, my Dad used to take a shotgun and his buddy would carry a rifle. He's rolled them with number 2's.

 

[ToadHill]

Western: I may be mistaken but isn't it .220 Swift and .222 Remington?

 

[CurlyDave]

Go into WallyWorld and look at the ammunition selection. Buy 100 rounds of any caliber between .17 and .30-06. Then buy a rifle to match the ammo you have.

I would go for either .223 or .308 just because they are common and ammo is more likely to be available. Sadly, there have been severe shortages for the past two years, and unless I knew I could get ammo I would not buy a new rifle.

If I could only have one centerfire rifle, it would be a .308. Anything from rabbits to moose, elk and black bear is within its reasonable capabilities.

If you really know you don't plan to shoot anything larger than a coyote, go for a .223. Big enough, common, quiet and very low recoil.

 

[N80]

I agree that ammo can be expensive, but how many coyotes are you guys going to shoot?

 

[CurlyDave]

I will usually put 40-50 rounds through a new rifle just to break it in and sight it in. Then I would consider 40 or so the minimum inventory to have on hand.

If you haven't bought any recently, the answer may well be no coyotes shot due to no ammo available for may calibers.

 

[N80]

Dave, I think I've had one new rifle in my life. And I'll admit, I don't know what the market is like for things like 22-250 or 22 Hornet or more exotic rounds, but there is no trouble obtaining 30-06, .270 or .308. At some places they'll only sell you one box at a time though.

Anyway, 40 rounds usually lasts me several years if the gun stays sighted in. I average one or two deer a year which uses maybe one to four rounds. I suspect I'd get more shooting with coyotes but at least in my case, the cost of rounds would not be major expense, although, as you say, availability might.

Of course, I've never done much (any) long range shooting, so I might burn more rounds than I think shooting at coyotes across open fields.

 

[EddieWalker]

I agree that ammo can be expensive, but how many coyotes are you guys going to shoot?

The real question is how many rounds will it take to become proficiant and accurate with the rifle so that you CAN kill a coyote with one shot.

At 100 yards, a coyote is a small target. At 200 yards, it's absolutely tiny. Being able to hit one with a killing shot at that type of range means being able to shoot accurately. The only way to be accurate is to know the rifle and run a bunch of rounds through it. Even then, different brands of ammo and bullet weights have a big difference on accuracy. Each barrel is unique and what shoots the best in it is trial and error.

I would buy one box of ammo for the rifle you choose and see how it shoots. If it shoots well, then buy more of that same ammo. Odds are that it might take some trial and error to find the best ammo for that particular rifle. I'm a big fan of Federal Premium rounds I can shoot one inch groups at 100 yards with it all day long. On a really good day, and everything being perfect, I've done a fair bit better then one inch groups. My wife also shoots the same ammo, and she can outshoot me with her rifle without even trying.

A good buddy of mine does better with Remington ammo, and another friend does best with Winchester ammo. Another guy that I know will only shoot relodes. He's a competive shooter, and is very, very good.

Then again, it's only a coyote and you can get all crazy about this, or buy what you find affordable. Most anything will get the job done if you work at getting close enough for an easy shot. It's the longer shots that make you crazy. LOL

Eddie

 

[Sidwuffler]

You might like to consider one of these.

Barrett Rifles

No nonsense and one can instantly obtain pair of ready made Coyote slippers.

On a more serious note, 270 Winchester with a 130 grain Sierra flat base Gameking pill is pretty reliable . I used in Winchester Model 70 some years ago when employed overseas as a culler of wild goats.