I would prefer the 223. My favorite coyote rifle is the 6x45 or one of the larger calibers like a 243, 25-06 or some flat shooting caliber for long range shooting and a lot of coyote shooting is way out yonder and running and I like that.
I am not very particular what rifle I use for coyotes however and its not uncommon for me to walk the desert for them with a iron sighted 25-35 or Sav. 250-3000 or even a 375 H&H if the notion moves me as it adds to the difficulty of the hunt. I don't believe missing a coyote is of any great importance in the big picture, but then that is my outlook on hunting in general..Its fun and I enjoy it, but its no longer imparitive to succeed.
