I am picking up a Ruger American Rifle for coyote calling, plinking and to use as a truck gun. Seems like a 1 in 8 twist 223 would make a great plinker and decent coyote gun. It also seems like a 1 in 10 twist 22-250 would shoot flatter and hit with a little more whack. I have to stay with sub-6mm cartridges because my state doesn't allow 24+ caliber rifles in the field during big game seasons and I want something to use all year.

What do you all think? My local gun store has one of each.

For plinking, and truck gun with coyote on the side I would get the .223 in compact..
I just bought one and love it..
It is fun and cheap to shoot and you can watch your hits...
Personally for coyote calling I would get the 22-250 with 22" barrel as I always had better luck with it over the .223..
Haven't called in over 22 years so the lighter 40gr. V-max or BT in the .223 might level the playing field..

The 1-8" .223 will cover all bases.

Been shooting an american ranch this week and I am realy impressed with it. 3 different loads and 2 of them went .5 or better and the other was right at .75 so I was impressed. This modle comes with a 16 inch threaded barrel and with my can it handled great and the trigger is not to bad either. Im a real happy with it.

I have a load with a 40g. NBT and RL-7 that moves out at 3925fps out of a 26" barrel. My load for my 22-250 is a 50g. NBT with Varget for around 3800fps. As a result I don't feel undergunned distance wise with the .223. That same load for the .223 will push out of a 16.5" AR at 3675fps which is also moving the mail.

With ease and economy of reloading the .223/5.56 I find myself reaching for the .223 bolt or the AR when I go out for rock chucks or coyotes.

The bestest of all would be to have both with a 24" tube in both but I don't think that the American comes with that length. I love the long range performance and accuracy of the 22-250 in a dedicated coyote rig and have equal love for the .223 round with my faster stepping reloads.

Gun shop called and I will have my choice of either one tomorrow. Leaning 223 for cheaper plinking. Sounds like hunting wise, I'll be giving up a little energy but methinks it will be fine under 350 or so.

3925fps with a 40gr. NBT should leave a mark on a coyote..
If I loose 40fps/inch I should still get 3600fps from my 18" barreled compact..

BigChief870,
So which one did ya get?

Not that it matters much, but I'd wager you'll get better than 3600fps with the 40gr. Your math is correct, but you don't need a 26" barrel to get 3900fps.

I'd try to capitalize on the 1-8" barrel with higher BC bullets anyway.

223 with 1&8 twist will get it done on Coyotes. 26 gr of Varget and the 60 gr Hornady V-Max .