Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Coyote Rifle Questions

I hate hiking a quarter mile to a coyote(even more so if I'm postholing through the snow) and then dragging it another quarter mile or more back to the truck, much rather shoot them and reach down and grab them.

Easiest way is to not worry about fetching them...

I mostly use the 223 for coyote hunting, as it's all you need, and the variety of rifles and bullets for it are practically endless. I also use the 243 on occasion. I don't save fur, so that's of no consequence. If I was going to buy a rifle to use on both deer and coyotes, the 243 would be my first choice. The lighter weight 243 bullets shoot like lasers and kill like a lightning bolt. The 243 is also a good deer killer.

Some years ago I went with a 25-06 and a 6x Leupold for my primary mule deer rifle. Also hunt pronghorn with it.

Turns out it's one heck of a coyote rifle as well. I just shoot the same ammo for everything, 115 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips. Never mess with the zero. Just point & shoot. Very deadly. Have taken coyotes out to about 425 yards.

I'd think the .243 would be pretty similar.

Regards, Guy

I've hunted, and hunt, with 223s, and am often left wanting or needing more gun for coyotes.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...369809/tikka-t3x-22-250-1-8#Post12369809

I like a calling rifle to be sporter-barreled and easy to pack as far as weight is concerned. Also a fan of the 22-250 for coyotes.

The above rifle would make a darn nice for a calling rifle IMO.

I rarely walk more than a half mile from the truck when calling, so packability isnt a huge concern for me. Again, everyones needs are different, based on hunting style and demand.

The only problem I've ever had with a 223 on coyotes has been with a VMax bullet splashing on the shoulder, and failing to penetrate. I really like the VMax's, and use them, but every now and then, one fails to work. I also shoot a 55 grain SP, and a 52 grain HP, both of which will give a coyote a dirt nap in a New York minute. Long shots are rare here where I usually hunt, but I have made a 450 yard shot with a 223 on a coyote. If I hunt in an area that might present me with a long shot, I usually carry a 243.

With the parameters of legal for deer in WA, factory loads and no need to save fur, I'd go .243 or 25-06 with a 2-7 scope mounted as low as possible. The low mount is to keep the bullet path as close to line of sight as possible for medium range and close shots through small holes in your wet coastal brush. 2-7 gives a pretty good sight picture from close to more than 300 yards for the open clear cuts. Once in awhile a coyote will be too close to focus on with 2 power but they die the same when blurry. For factory coyote bullets with no concern for fur I'd go with light, fast and frangible.

If you are a long ranger, make it a 6.5 Creed with a 6-18 or higher 50 or 56 mm scope with a bipod-- and kick the close ones.

Added: as said by others, start calling now with the .308 rather than wait for a more specialized rifle. It is prime time to call, with naïve young adults just now blundering about on their own. It was my experience shooting coyotes with 30-30, .22 and 30-06 that led to my choice of a heavy barreled 6mm for coyotes that would also be good for deer. It is.

Use your .308 Win. with 130 grain bullets. Hunt in different terrain as in deep cover and open country. When you discover your preference for the type of hunting, adjust your equipment to meet your needs.
Play with different type and power scopes to find your sweet spot. If you decide to build a dedicated rifle later, you will know what YOU like.

It is hard to beat a .22-250. As you get hooked, you'll end up with several dedicated predator or varmint rifles.
If you end up doing a lot of shooting and especially long range, then accuracy and cost will become an issue. Reloading will become a recommended option. With it, you'll be able to specifically load for each type of hunt and bullet type.

Most important, don't let specialized equipment keep you from hunting. go hunt and build memories every chance you get.

Killed my first coyote with a 30/06 loaded with 110 gr SP. I bet your 308 loaded with 110 Barnes ttsx would work for coyotes and 99% of the deer you hunt too. I've never owned one since I'm hung up on other cartridges, but how can you beat a .204 if you are just starting out? I use a .221 Fireball an awful lot for a calling rifle and it is about ideal balance between noise, accuracy, and anchoring ability.

Another consideration- All the bigger rifles make so much noise they ruin multiple call-in opportunities the quieter rifles, like the .17 Hornet, leave open. That can be a huge factor in a days success ratio.

as a suppressor will, also.....

Yep.. A suppressor is the single best piece of calling gear I've ever purchased

I shoot coyotes with lots of different calibers but if I had to settle on one it would be a standard factory 22-250.I think they are 1in 14 twist. Shoot 55grn white box Winchesters or reloads either. My old 700 adl will shoot half inch groups with factory.

A good .22-250 is my pick or a swift... But I have .25-06, 270 or 7mm Mag. for windy days and long shots.. Here there is lots of wind,and shots can be as long as you want to take...

We are covered up with coyotes this year, killed 17 last week, with .243 A.I. from close to far .243 A.I. works, also like 22-250 for coyotes, but for me the .243 A.I. is a better all around daily carry for deer,pigs, coyotes, and anything else I run into in S. Texas. Rio7

Here you go....

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...9809/gonew/1/tikka-t3x-22-250-1-8#UNREAD

I wonder how many die hard predator callers use a Remington 788 in 22-250

20 years ago, I carried a 26" bull barrel .22-250. Got to the point where I did not like the weight. Moved down to .223's in various flavors for 4-5 years. Savage, Ruger, AR15. A 2-3 years ago, I purchased a nice little R700 chambered in .222 I've not taken anything with it yet. It's a super accurate cartridge, mild report and just a joy to shoot.

Bottom line, I'd say shoot the rifle that you're most comfortable shooting, and the most accurate with.

I use several rifle/scope combinations, and almost anything will work. I have really come to prefer my H&R 317 ultra wildcat, which is essentially a sako vixen. Mine is chambered to .222. It has a leupold compact 4x on it. It is light, handy and accurate, and it simply does the job on close range coyotes very well.

I have on occasion carried the .222 and wished for a .243 or a 25-06. And I have both available. And both are in Model 70 classic fwts. The .243 wears a 2-7 VX1 and the 2506 a 3-9 VX2. I have killed more coyotes with the .243 than I probably have with all other rifles combined.