|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 259
Campfire Member
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 259 |
I have a quality deer lease in East Texas this year that is pretty full of deer, hogs and coyotes. I have never gotten into any type of varmint hunting before but with all year access to the property, I would like to try it out. I have a lot of coyotes on my game cameras, multitude of tracks and hear them howling a lot basically all day long when I am on the property. When Deer season is over I plan on getting out into a stand and trying it out.
If I was harvest a quality coyote and I would want to have it mounted, would the following calibers I have be "too much" and be destructive? Having never shot a coyote before, I am seeking advice.
I have the following caliber rifles, .300 win mag ( I do have down loaded sst loaded ammo that makes it essentially a .308), and a .308.
What ammunition and bullets would you recommend for a coyote application? thanks
Memento mori ( remember you must die) enjoy every day for tomorrow you may not wake
You can always borrow and pay the money back but you can never get the time back
Everyone hunter should own a fine rifle, life is short.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,954 Likes: 21
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,954 Likes: 21 |
Texas isn't known for 'quality' coyotes....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 113
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 113 |
Go with your most accurate load, some may be small and hard to get a good shot at.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 113
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 113 |
For some cheap game calls, you can download the Ruger iHunt app to your phone then use a Bluetooth speaker you carry in your pocket, both can be recharged by USB port.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,168 Likes: 5
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,168 Likes: 5 |
Use what you use for deer in your .300 WM and .308.
I strongly urge you to buy a .22/250 just for coyotes.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2 |
Use what you use for deer in your .300 WM and .308.
I strongly urge you to buy a .22/250 just for coyotes. THIS. And if you use the bigger bores you have, go to heavy and heavily constructed bullets going slow. They will exit but they won't be so messy. If you haven't hunted before, you're in for a humbling and learning experience.They don't allow you any mistakes.
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,349
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,349 |
Use what you use for deer in your .300 WM and .308.
I strongly urge you to buy a .22/250 just for coyotes. THIS. And if you use the bigger bores you have, go to heavy and heavily constructed bullets going slow. They will exit but they won't be so messy. If you haven't hunted before, you're in for a humbling and learning experience.They don't allow you any mistakes. This +1! I tried predator calling coyotes off and on for the past 15yrs and finally called one into range a couple weeks ago. Fox seem to come in a lot easier than coyotes. Texas coyotes aren't really known as being really high quality either........
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,377 Likes: 10
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,377 Likes: 10 |
The only way you're not raining down coyote parts for a week with a 300 mag is if you drop it out of a tree on one.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,813 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,813 Likes: 3 |
I used both 125 and 150 gr. Ballistic Tips in my .300 for coyotes.. Loaded with a full charge of 4350.. Kills them dead!!! The big 22’s are my favorites!!
Molon Labe
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,346 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,346 Likes: 2 |
use your shotgun 12 gauge 3 inch copper plated BB`s,in Texas you will kill way more coyotes with that shotgun.
LIFE NRA , we vote Red up here, Norseman
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 259
Campfire Member
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 259 |
I fully understand about Texas not having high quality coyotes, rather I am more interested in starting out hunting them.
Memento mori ( remember you must die) enjoy every day for tomorrow you may not wake
You can always borrow and pay the money back but you can never get the time back
Everyone hunter should own a fine rifle, life is short.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,291 Likes: 24
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,291 Likes: 24 |
For what it's worth, I've whacked 20 or so incidental coyotes over the years while elk or deer hunting with a .300 Win and .340 WBY....and with stout bullets designed for elk out of those rounds at normal ranges, I have found significantly less pelt damage than I have with the more accepted hypervelocity varmint rounds and their normal bullets.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,712 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,712 Likes: 2 |
For what it's worth, I've whacked 20 or so incidental coyotes over the years while elk or deer hunting with a .300 Win and .340 WBY....and with stout bullets designed for elk out of those rounds at normal ranges, I have found significantly less pelt damage than I have with the more accepted hypervelocity varmint rounds and their normal bullets. Totally agree with TI. A tough bullet put through the ribs and staying off the shoulder will save the hide. Use what you have for now and if you really get the bug to keep hunting coyotes, you can buy an more appropriate caliber down the road. Personally, the biggest mistake I see made when using a deer/elk rifle for coyotes is being zeroed at too high at 100 for a critter the size of a coyote. The commonly used zero of 2-3" high at 100 will have you over shooting many coyotes at 150ish, unless you remind yourself to hold low. That can be hard to do in the heat of the moment.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 113
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 113 |
Coyotes like to circle down wind also so watch your back and hunt in a position to see the down wind side.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,220
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,220 |
Were I you, I would pick up a .223 or a .204 Ruger for coyotes. You can get a Ruger American rifle in 223 for not a ridiculous amount of coin, and they tend to get good reports for accuracy.
If you can't afford an electronic call, get some hand calls. You'll want both regular and close range if you're going hand calls. If you use an electronic call, put it about 30 yds away from you so that when the critter comes in they are looking towards the call, where the sound is coming from, and not at you.
Once you start calling, BE READY! Coyotes tend to come in fast, and it sounds like you have lots of them. I always use a net facemask.
You might also want to watch some Randy Anderson coyote hunting videos on youtube. They are both instructional and motivational.
Exquisitely turdlike in all of his many manifestations!!
Resist much - obey little. Hayduke lives!
"30-06 guys don't worry about schit 'cause 30-06 guys don't worry....." 16bore
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,706 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,706 Likes: 2 |
If you don't want the expense of another rifle, then use either of the two you have. A .308 loaded with 110's or 125's would work fine, as would most any bullet.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,513
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,513 |
A coyote mount with a huge hole through the middle might look pretty cool.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,481 Likes: 27
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,481 Likes: 27 |
Use what you use for deer in your .300 WM and .308.
I strongly urge you to buy a .22/250 just for coyotes. THIS. And if you use the bigger bores you have, go to heavy and heavily constructed bullets going slow. They will exit but they won't be so messy. If you haven't hunted before, you're in for a humbling and learning experience.They don't allow you any mistakes. Yep. They get educated quick. My favorite Coyote call is a Haydel’s Govt Hunter: https://www.haydels.com/products/ghj-government-hunter-jackrabbitI prefer an AR-15 in .556 as my coyote calling gun. Nosler 55 gr Ballistic Tips work well in .22 cal varmint rifles.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,220
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,220 |
Last edited by DELGUE; 01/15/20.
Exquisitely turdlike in all of his many manifestations!!
Resist much - obey little. Hayduke lives!
"30-06 guys don't worry about schit 'cause 30-06 guys don't worry....." 16bore
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 101
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 101 |
Go with a smaller caliber. .223, 22-250, .204, ect. Don't worry to much about the holes. A good taxidermist can fix it assuming you dont rip 15 inches down his side.
|
|
|
|
533 members (160user, 257Bob, 300jimmy, 257 roberts, 10gaugemag, 222ND, 55 invisible),
2,592
guests, and
1,326
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,194,372
Posts18,527,420
Members74,031
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|