Hunting
Looking to buy a new coyote gun, probably a .22-250 or a .223. Any suggestions?
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You didn't mention whether you prefer a sporterweight or heavy-barreled varminter but, in either category or chambering, you have a great many excellent choices. The Rem 700BDL-V or 700 VTR, the Weatherby Vanguard, the Howa 1500, the CZ 550 Varmint, the Ruger Model 77, and others!
If you prefer composite, laminate or wood stocks, there are choices to satisfy your preference.
Your challenge is not a matter of finding an accurate rifle, but paring your choice to ONE.
As for your cartridge choice, the .223 and the .22-250 are the premier choices for coyotes (and I rely on both) but the .22-250 will offer you a slight advantage in distance with no sacrifice in accuracy.
You didn't cite a price range, but you can find excellent varminters, new in the box, for less than $500 to more than $2,000, so be assured there is something to suit your need. You are welcomed to check the photos in my profile for some of the varminters I rely on in the field.
Thanks for the advice. What sort of range differences do the two calibers offer?
After seeing many coyotes hit, flattened or crippled, I'd say practical coyote ranges are as follows:
.223 50g VMAx @ 3450 fps - 300 yds
22-250 50g VMax @ 3700 fps - 350 yds
.243 58g VMax @ 3900 fps - 450 yards
25-06 75g VMax @ 3750 fps - 500 yds
25-06 87g Hornady @ 3600 fps 600 yds
If you are shooting coyotes inside 300 yards the .223 does very well but the 22-250 is better. In the same case, the .243 does even better with the 58g bullets and can double as a good deer rifle. The .223 in an accurate AR platform is a coyote eradicator. The 25-06 has near top speed with much longer range and is much harder hitting at very long range. It doubles as a deer rifle and could even be used for elk in a pinch.
Lots of good rifles: Tikka T3, Rem 700, Savage, Howa 1500. Heavier varmint barrels are better than standard contour for accuracy and multiple shot barrel heating. I use a Rem 700 Sendero in 25-06 because I hunt long range coyotes and coyotes on the run. The 26 inch barrel gives me even more speed.
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You didn't mention whether you prefer a sporterweight or heavy-barreled varminter but, in either category or chambering, you have a great many excellent choices. The Rem 700BDL-V or 700 VTR, the Weatherby Vanguard, the Howa 1500, the CZ 550 Varmint, the Ruger Model 77, and others!
If you prefer composite, laminate or wood stocks, there are choices to satisfy your preference.
Your challenge is not a matter of finding an accurate rifle, but paring your choice to ONE.
As for your cartridge choice, the .223 and the .22-250 are the premier choices for coyotes (and I rely on both) but the .22-250 will offer you a slight advantage in distance with no sacrifice in accuracy.
You didn't cite a price range, but you can find excellent varminters, new in the box, for less than $500 to more than $2,000, so be assured there is something to suit your need. You are welcomed to check the photos in my profile for some of the varminters I rely on in the field.
After seeing many coyotes hit, flattened or crippled, I'd say practical coyote ranges are as follows:
.223 50g VMAx @ 3450 fps - 300 yds
22-250 50g VMax @ 3700 fps - 350 yds
.243 58g VMax @ 3900 fps - 450 yards
25-06 75g VMax @ 3750 fps - 500 yds
25-06 87g Hornady @ 3600 fps 600 yds
If you are shooting coyotes inside 300 yards the .223 does very well but the 22-250 is better. In the same case, the .243 does even better with the 58g bullets and can double as a good deer rifle. The .223 in an accurate AR platform is a coyote eradicator. The 25-06 has near top speed with much longer range and is much harder hitting at very long range. It doubles as a deer rifle and could even be used for elk in a pinch.
Lots of good rifles: Tikka T3, Rem 700, Savage, Howa 1500. Heavier varmint barrels are better than standard contour for accuracy and multiple shot barrel heating. I use a Rem 700 Sendero in 25-06 because I hunt long range coyotes and coyotes on the run. The 26 inch barrel gives me even more speed.
Thanks for the advice. What sort of range differences do the two calibers offer?
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