[mossberg kid]

I live out in az so coyotes are everywhere, so i decided to start hunting them for fun and fur but, im not quite sure what is the best round and ammo for them. I want to save as much of the fur as possible. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated

[Dillinger]

I've only been twice. Both times were in AZ when I was down for SHOT. Both times I brought my AR and shot the standard 62gr. loads. Nothing special.

The first year I didn't even get a shot - because those damn things are smart.

The second year I got one at about 120 or 130 yards after waiting all damn day and missing, no sh1t, at least 3 opportunities at ones sniffing around. Those things are infuriatingly intelligent when someone is looking to zap them. No wonder they say stalking them is like stalking a live human.

The round hit a bit high, and more on the shoulder. It dumped him @ss over tea kettle, but I think he struggled a bit. Wasn't moving by time we got over there. But, I still wonder...

In any event, it seemed to do the job. For my one grand experiment with coyote hunting.

JD

[RL357Mag]

Originally Posted by mossberg kid

I live out in az so coyotes are everywhere, so i decided to start hunting them for fun and fur but, im not quite sure what is the best round and ammo for them. I want to save as much of the fur as possible. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated

Out here (NY) the .17HMR is gaining in popularity - but shots are generally under 200 yds. If I lived in AZ I would probably own a 220 Swift or .22-250. If you are interested in minimal pelt damage you will have to get closer and use smaller ammo like the .22mag or .17 calibers. Like JD said though, they are one of the wariest, and therefore toughest, animals to stalk or call in. Harder than turkey.

[cpttango30]

Rimfires are NOT coyote rounds. I don't care what anyone says.

The be all end all is the 22-250. this is one of the most popular coyote rounds out there. Any of the 22 centerfire cartridges would fit the bill except maybe the 218 bee and 22 hornet. Though they can be used you need to keep shot to no more than 200 yards.

The 220 swift and 22-250 are going to be the go to rounds or western yote hunting. The 6mm cartridges like the 243 or some of the wildcat offerings. All three rounds will provide you with at least 400 to 500 yards. If you get a 8 or 9 twist barrel you can shoot the heiver bullets in the 220 swift and 22-250.

You could go with a smaller 22 centerfire like the 222 Rem or 221 fireball also don't count out the 20 cals like the 204 Ruger and 20vartarg. If you want to look into sub cals (smaller than .224") also look hard at a Tactical 20 it is based on the 223.

[RL357Mag]

Originally Posted by cpttango30

Rimfires are NOT coyote rounds. I don't care what anyone says.

.

More deer have been "jacked' with .22 lr than any other round! If deer will fall to a .22 lr a coyote will certainly fall to a .22 mag! Much has been written over the years, and especially before the introduction of the .17 HMR, about the efficacy of .22 lr and .22 mag for coyote. A coyote is no tougher to put down than a domestic dog. It all depends on range.

[matt g]

.50 BMG?

I'd look at the .22-250 as a minimum. There is just no reason to not get a quick, clean, humane kill with one shot.

[RL357Mag]

Originally Posted by matt g

.50 BMG?

I'd look at the .22-250 as a minimum. There is just no reason to not get a quick, clean, humane kill with one shot.

Agreed - but the poster was concerned about pelt damage. A "coyote gun" is any gun that will kill a coyote...they are not difficult animals to put down at close range. You wouldn't get a shot at one on the prairie with a .22,but in the northeast where shots are under 100yds. a .22 works just fine.

[cpttango30]

Originally Posted by RL357Mag

More deer have been "jacked' with .22 lr than any other round! If deer will fall to a .22 lr a coyote will certainly fall to a .22 mag! Much has been written over the years, and especially before the introduction of the .17 HMR, about the efficacy of .22 lr and .22 mag for coyote. A coyote is no tougher to put down than a domestic dog. It all depends on range.

I understand that. I have taken a coyote with a 22lr. Why did I do this. Well It was a shot at 15' and I was helping a rancher who was losing emu eggs and chicks at an alarming rate. He still took off and ran 200 yards before dying. fifteen feet and shot with a Remington Yellow jacket.

I personaly believe if you are specificly going out after a yote then you need to take something with more gump than any rimfire out there. The min I would take would be a 222rem the max well anything short of a nucler bomb will work for me(If I had a tank I would shoot a yote lets just say that). I do not keep pelts so I don't care if his guts go for 3' or 30' out the back side the bigger the hole the faster they die.

To me to go after coyotes with anything less than a 22 centerfire(Minus the 20 and 17 cal cf) is unethical cut and dry.

Coyotes learn quick real quick. So to shoot one with a 22lr and let it get away may very well creat a coyote that is that much harder to kill and could possiable cause more damage than is you didn't undergun yourself and kill that mange jerk the first time.

[glockfire]

Ive shot yotes with everything from a .22lr to a 180gr 30-06. If you really want an effective youte round that will give minimal pelt damage, a 55gr .223 usually does the trick for me, but, like everyone has said, a 22-250 is about the best yote round you can use.

[Catfish]

If your going 100% for hides the .17 Rem. would be my first choice with 30 gr. bullets. 2nd. choice would be the .204 Ruger with 35 gr. Berger bullets. I sell hide but don`t worry if their shot up. I carry an AR when running them with dogs and usually pack a .22-6mm when just setting and watching. If there`s not alot of wind it`s good past 600 yrds. 100% of the time, if I have time to lazer and get the shot off. When calling 1 guy will carry a .223 semi-auto and the other a long range gun. For a factory round and good deer round, the .243, or the longer range .22 cal. rounds are good, but you`ll get some big holes.