varmint caliber
going on my first coyote hunt...what should i get for a rifle? im 90% sure of getting one of the NEF handi rifles because they are so inexpensive...but what caliber should i get? i know i can probably take a coyote with anything from a .22 to a 30-06...but what is the ideal caliber? people ive talked to say .223 or 12 gauge is whats popular...any suggestions? technically the handi rifles are so cheap i could get 2 in 2 different calibers for the price of one other kind of rifle
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.223 will work fine. If you know your shots will be at short distance than its hard to beat a .12ga with buckshot.
God gave us all a gift. Have you found yours yet ?0 -
Yep,.223 should work fine out to 200 or so yards.
25-06 would be better yet if ya think your gonna have
to reach out there a little farther.
I just got one in .223 w/bull bbl.and although I haven't
had time to really tune it in,I can already tell it's a tack driver even w/cheap ammo.[^]
What the heck,like ya said,their cheap enough to have 2 different calibers.
BTW,are you aware of their barrel exchange program?
http://www.hr1871.com/barrelAcc/index.htm
BW
IT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT MAKES THEM AFRAID.0 -
I think the Handi Rifles are a great deal, and seem to be getting great reviews from the experts and lay people as well. It's hard to argue real world experience. The 223 is a good Coyote round, but would not give you the flexibility to go after much larger game. Rounds like the 225 Winchester and 22-250 are a ways up the food chain and would both make far better large varmint rounds than the 222 or 223, and would also give you another 100 or so more yards range wise. If you would like a round that will bridge the gap between the 22's and 30's the aforementioned 25-06 is a real smoker, and flexible to boot. It has a pretty impressive bullet weight/type range and can take med to lg deer without much difficulty. The 257 Roberts is another one along those lines that generates a little less power but also does a number on deer as well as the lighter stuff using a fair bit less powder than the 25-06.
It would seem to me that for the cost of a handi rifle new you could get a nice condition used 70 or 700 (or ruger, or Savage etc...) that will likely have at least decent optics already mounted. I just saw an older Winchester 70 in 22-250 that had a few bruises on the stock but was scoped with an older redfield and claimed to be 98% mechanically that went for $300 and change. Can't argue that as a pretty good deal, and you have the advantage of a magazine fed repeater.
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The people I know who hunt cyotes on a regular basis all want the ability for a fast follow up shot. One buddy of mine is looking for a Savage M99 in 250-3000 because it is fine out to 250yds, his personal limit, and fast handling. Others like the AR-15, either way the farther out you reach, the more a fast follow up in likely to be needed. One other point, if you are looking to take a pelt you will probably want to use the smallest cartridge that will do the job for the terrain you will be hunting. The more energy and bullet dia, the more extreem the pelt damage will be. 0 -
i like a 243 win for coyotes out here where i live...because unless you call them in with calls most shots are 3-400+yds because here it pretty flat land you can see for miles any direction i read your profile and see you are from MA...i have never been out your way so dont know what ranges you might be shooting at i would guess not as long of ranges as i shoot at.... 223 would be fine at closer ranges and cheaper to shoot i guess.
my favorite load for coyotes with my 243's is with a 55gr nosler bal tip they are screaming fast and flat for a long ways out there and my rifles all shoot the 55gr very well.
doc
ps i use my 22-250 also which work very well also there are many cartridges that will work fine mostly its personal preference i guess.
on edit to echo what couple others have said get a bolt action rifle
i have several times called in 4 or more coyotes in at time and a single shot wouldnt cut it imho. infact wish i had an ar10 chambered in 243 with heavy varmint bbl and ect to be able to hammer more than just two or three of them yotes when they all come at the same time, because with a boltaction by time you bolt a couple tow or three shots and get sighted back up the other coyotes are out there a long ways and on a dead run.0 -
Probably a psychological thing but I prefer using 6MM or up for coyotes. They are extremely durable and very intelligent. I have enough respect for them to want a very clean kill. I have used .22 cal in the past and now prefer something heavier. 0 -
i reccomend the 204 ruger, 22-250... or if you really want to kill the thing and dont mind the extra couple bucks for ammo get something like 300 winchester mag. but seriously tho, 204 and 22 250 and coyote fit perfectly in the same sentence. 0 -
I've got to go with the kydster on this one. The 25's are about the most underated round out there today. They are the 250/3000, .257 Roberts (Ackley imp also) the 25-06 and the newest, 25 WSSM. I've hit coyotes on the run shooting offhand at 250 yds. and nailed two at 600 & 620 from a rest with a .257 Roberts. (great optics helps) Although, the .243 and 6mm would do just as well on coyotes out as far as you know the ballistics and windages. (bring a range card no matter what you shoot...it really does help).
The .223 will kill coyotes out to 300 yds. I use a 60 gr. @ 3100 fps. and that gives about a 13-14" drop with a 100 yd zero. Beyond that variations in load and wind changes make it hard to accurately assess all adjustments. The 22.250 on the other hand has a great speed advantage over the .223 and can use much heavier bullets. Easily one of the premier varmint cartridges out there. Again, your knowledge of ballistics will be the limitation, not the round.
Lastly, I agree with one of the other posts that you could find a good used Win 70, Rem 700. Or better yet, a Savage heavy barrel would run you 400-470 bucks new, less for used. I wouldn't go with the handi-rifle or the 12 guage. You'll wish you bought a real rifle or had just gone bird hunting instead. The 12 guage will only kill coyotes out to 40 or so yds. It works great for short ranges but not much else. A rifle will kill close or far. -good luck
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I bought my 8 yr. old daughter one of those handi rifles in .243 , and am very impressed for the money.First high-power rifle she has shot,and got an inch and a half group at 100 yds. Remington corelokt. I was shocked!! A GREAT COYOTE GUN !!!
Teach them young ! Teach them often !
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undoubtedly a good bolt rifle in the 6mm/243 or better yet 25-06 range. i have lost several dogs when shots are much over 350 yards with the .22's. the 25-06 is my first choice hands down. more importantly than caliber is optics. don't scrimp here or it won't matter what you are shooting.
good luck!0
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