What caliber for coyotes do you use

[trappincoyotes39]

In thought I would bring up the old debate of "best" caliber for coyotes yes very subjective as to where your hunting but, let see what everyone uses and a quick explanation as to why?

I have not hidden the fact that I use a .243 as it gives me better bullet selection, knock down power for large critters like coyotes and I can get good performance on fur with a .243 due to bullet selection. Shot placement if I screw up is less critical and still have dead coyotes.

[renegade]

I use my 243 with 58grn a lot. I agree, and know for a fact, that its got the knock down power for long range shooting. The 649 yard coyote dropped in his tracks. I also use my Remington 700 cal.223, once in awhile. And the last gun I used is my 12 gauge with 00 buck with being in the woods when the hounds are running yotes.

[trappincoyotes39]

What is your choice in range finder renegade? I like the Leica costly but nice.

[renegade]

The Nikon 1200 Monarch Gold is what I use.

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

My 22-250 hasn't been out of the safe since I got my .17 Remington. I can't say that I've noticed any difference in killing power even at long range. But I've sure noticed a difference in the way the pelts are treated.

Even if it didn't work as well at extreme range I'd trade those for the many more at reasonable range without pelt damage.

[renegade]

I have only had 2 pelt damage dogs from my 243. The 17 is a great gun as well

[trappincoyotes39]

Joel longer range the .17 lacks a lot of the ft lbs of energy with a small 25 grain bullet, if shot placement is dead on I am sure your results are good buts if not then one would have runners as without the energy as should extend range the school factor drops off. Also very limited bullet selection as well.

The 243 has a much wider selection of bullets to choose from as far as jacket design performance goes over a broader range. I have found the Nosler hunting bal,tips to be a great bullet choice for the 243 on coyotes. it has a medium jacket so it works well from 100-500 plus yrds. pelt damage out of a pile of coyotes is minimal on the highest majority, closer in belly shots as with many other calibers not good but still a dead coyote other wise with the 95 grain bal tip it is most livable and remains the energy needed for good anchoring past 350 yrds.

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

Like I say, I'll trade the few that I can hit past 350 for the many at 150 that I can hit every time.

Pelt damage is not minimal, it is non existent, and why do I need a selection of bullets? 25 grain berger with 25 grains of varget is easy to remember and does what I ask it to.

A .243 has a lot of uses, a .17 only has one for me, so one bullet powder combination is adequate.

[trappincoyotes39]

Each to,his own this why we have choices. Your looking for minimal pelt damage as top priority I am looking for every coyote I hit given varying circumstances to take a quick dirt nap and pelt issues are a lower priority most of the time. yet very livable for me with the .243. late spring and summertime coyote have zero fur value.

I have shot more than a couple with a 25/06 as well and again with the proper bullet pelt damage is decent, but it doesn't kill them any deader than the 243 and I have more recoil and use more powder with the 06 versus the 243 , plus I like short actions over long most of the time.

[leghorn]

Yep .17 works real good for me . Partner packs the 220 swift for those educated ones that hold back a ways .

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

If I was doing predator control I think a .243 might be ideal. So I agree with you on that point.

However I'm not doing predator control and I don't want to sew up holes, even little ones, so I don't care to get him if he is going to be shot up.

Saves me walking out there to get him. Time I could spend walking to a cat trap.

[trappincoyotes39]

Trapping cats not near as exciting as callin coyotes though Joel

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

If you're calling coyotes you don't need a .243 lol

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I remember I went to the world calling contest one year and the wind blew like a hurricane. I told my partner that I wished that I'd have brought the .300 win mag.

[trappincoyotes39]

Another good point for larger better BC bullets wind deflection in the west is a real thing to have to cope with as in South Dakota a calm day was a rare thing most days the wind a good 10-15 mph and more than a few days a month more like 15-25 mph.

I sure do like watching that 243 perform after pulling the trigger LOL.

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

Yeah but there is always an exit hole I'll bet.

[trappincoyotes39]

No Joel not always at all no kidding either on frontal shots I hardly ever see and exit hole period and on side shots depending on range of shot it can be very tough finding an exit hole. Closer shots yes nothing larger than quarter max on decent shot placement but again deader than dead is my main goal and the fur damage is very minimal in my mind for the results I get from such. The Nosler bal tip hunting bullet is geared really well for coyote sized critters. I have had alot or more damage and less killing power from thin jacked bullets over all for sure.

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

Well just to continue the argument lol.

There is "never" an exit hole with the .17.

Are you talking quarter size on a fresh shot coyote, one that has been dead for an hour, or one that has been skinned and is on the stretcher?

[trappincoyotes39]

One that is dead and can cause no more livestock loss lol. Quarter is max size on a decent shot placement in close. Most smaller than that. Fall coyotes most sewing takes only a few minutes to take care of. Quarter size after skinning prior to sewing.

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I don't sew coyotes very often, if they have a hole they often don't get skinned. But then since they "never" have a hole...........