Which Caliber?

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

In the market for a new varmit rifle. By varmit I mean primarily coyotes, racoons, and bobcat. I settled in the past with either a .22 or a much larger caliber. The .22 does put them down, but I would like something with a little more range/accuracy, however I still want something small enough to not put a crater-sized hole in the hide. The choices I have been looking at are a .17 HMR, 22-250, or 223. The 223 is getting a little bigger on the caliber size tho. Any advice, references, stories or other choices that I should look into? Anyone with a .204 that would have some advice on that gun?
Much appreciated and Happy Holidays!
Joel - Black River Taxidermy

[heronblu]

I bought a ruger m77 in .22-250 a little over a year ago and it has become not only my favorite varmit rifle but my favorite gun overall. I think many on this site will agree that the .22-250 is a fantastic caliber if not your best choice for varmint. Had I not found the gun I own now, I would have bought the Ruger American predator in the same caliber.

[jackelope]

Depending on what you want for range, the new .17wsm is cool. A lot better than the .17HMR. I think the .204 Ruger has a diehard following in the varmint world.
The .223 and the .22-250 are shooting the same bullet, I suppose you probably know that. The .22-250 has more horsepower behind it. At that point, bullet choice will be important to avoid the crater-sized holes. Choose a bullet that splatters like a Varmint Grenade or a V-max and you'll be a  lot better off.

[bobcat]

I'd definitely go with the 204 Ruger. Although the 223 is nice to have due to all the cheap factory ammo available for it. It would do the job as well. The 204 Ruger just has a bit more of the "cool factor."

22-250 is faster than needed and I wouldn't choose it if you want small holes.

[jasnt]

20 tactical or 17 hornet 17 rem come to mind. I've had poor luck with the 17rimfires for coyote

[Karl Blanchard]

Pelt friendly, accurate, lots of ammo, most definitely deadly.  If I could only have one, it would be a bolt action .223

[Karl Blanchard]

6.5 Grendel.....................................









Too soon

[Bofire]

for me in Washington 22-250, you can hunt cougar with it but not big game. due to laws. So during big games seasons you can use a 22 caliber in case you call a cougar, 22-250 kicks ass on all the rest of the varmits, it's the best in the state due to laws.

Carl

[Boss .300 winmag]

for me in Washington 22-250, you can hunt cougar with it but not big game. due to laws. So during big games seasons you can use a 22 caliber in case you call a cougar, 22-250 kicks ass on all the rest of the varmits, it's the best in the state due to laws.

Carl

What ?

[jasnt]

for me in Washington 22-250, you can hunt cougar with it but not big game. due to laws. So during big games seasons you can use a 22 caliber in case you call a cougar, 22-250 kicks ass on all the rest of the varmits, it's the best in the state due to laws.

Carl

What ?

i think he is talking about hunting coyotes during mf deer or elk seasons and possibly calling a cougar.

[Bofire]

yes, I call predators all year, but never hunt big game. I can call predators during deer/elk season while using a 22-250 while not having a big game tag, I can hunt cougar with a 22-250. I can hunt any varmit with a 22-250. but I cannot hunt cougar with less than 22 caliber. So for my one gun all year round caliber , 22-250 works for everything I hunt. Washington law. smaller calibers work for varmits and might work for cougars, but the law says no for cougars. I would hate to try to call a coyote have a cougar come in and not be able to shoot cause I brought my 204.

Carl

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

Awesome...thank you for all the input. Was leaning towards the 22-250, and I think after reading a lot of the input I may go with that choice.

[widebear]

Just food for thought. Been shooting yotes for 50 plus years and tried all kinds of calibers all mentioned above except for the 220 Swift. I use a Model 7 243 loaded with 70 grain ballistic tips now and by far the most consistent for killing without tearing them up. However you have to load them to 3200 to 3300 fps to make them perform well on the pelts. Plus you have a legal caliber for large game which all my Grandkids have started with. The one caliber I really had no luck with is the 204. Tried all kinds of bullets and loads but lots of dogs ran off.

[jasnt]

Just food for thought. Been shooting yotes for 50 plus years and tried all kinds of calibers all mentioned above except for the 220 Swift. I use a Model 7 243 loaded with 70 grain ballistic tips now and by far the most consistent for killing without tearing them up. However you have to load them to 3200 to 3300 fps to make them perform well on the pelts. Plus you have a legal caliber for large game which all my Grandkids have started with. The one caliber I really had no luck with is the 204. Tried all kinds of bullets and loads but lots of dogs ran off.

ill 2nd the 243. Though for pelt damage or lack of I've had my best results with 58gr vmax at 3575-3725. 1/4" hole in and not exit. All have dropped on the spot. Also very fun round for busting sage rats or whistle pigs or porcupine or .....

[yorketransport]

6.5 Grendel.....................................









Too soon

This was going to be my suggestion. I've tried a couple different setups as my general walking in the woods guns and the Grendel in a CZ 527 is my new favorite. I always felt a little under gunned with the 204 and the 22 centerfires didn't seem much better. The 243 and up were all to big in my opinion. The little 6.5 was enough for any small critters I may encounter (specifically porcupines) and sufficient for cougar at most ranges. Plus I hear that it's a great long range elk round.

[huntnphool]

The 243 and up were all to big in my opinion. The little 6.5 was enough for any small critters I may encounter

 The 6.5 (.264) is bigger than the .243

[bearpaw]

Awesome...thank you for all the input. Was leaning towards the 22-250, and I think after reading a lot of the input I may go with that choice.

I think that's a good all around varmint choice! 

For closer ranges you could load full metal jacket bullets or use Barnes, they don't make near the hole a soft point or hollow point will make! For years I shot coyotes with a 220 swift, almost identical ballistics, and sold the fur. If you use the right bullets at the right distance and know your ballistics you will be good for anywhere from 10 to 500 yards. You are a taxi, if you make a big hole just sow it up, that's what i did and I got just as much for the fur!

I eventually swapped out the 220 for a 257 Wtby, I doubt anything kills coyotes any better than a 257 roy, but keep the needle and thread handy!  Actually you can minimize fur damage with your choice of bullets in the 257 too.

[yorketransport]

The 243 and up were all to big in my opinion. The little 6.5 was enough for any small critters I may encounter

 The 6.5 (.264) is bigger than the .243

I should have known that there would be at least one heckler out there.  243 win is bigger than I like   

[Blacklab]

223 Wylde would a great choice. Lot's of great bullet choice's for anything you want to shoot. Being up close an personal or for longer ranges. 

[Jonathan_S]

It's been said but VMax bullets are your friend for not ruining the pelt. 

The .22-250 is a hotrod cartridge but easy as pie to reload.  Buy H380, put in 38.0 grains, seal it with a 55grain VMax and go have fun.  Work it up if desired

[Dan-o]

6.5 Grendel.....................................









Too soon

Only if you keep your shots under 75 yards!

[Curly]

This would be a nice varmint rifle if ammo wasn't so hard to find: 250 Savage
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=533280897

Or a Savage model 99 would be pretty nice too in the 250 Savage.

[coachcw]

If its just a varmint gun then probably a .223 , cool factor 6.5 grendal . a ar based rifle would be sweet for doubles . the .243 would defiantly stretch your effective range though . 26 nosler it is then !

[Jonathan_S]

.223 --->26 Nosler

That escalated quickly

[BULLBLASTER]

.223 --->26 Nosler

That escalated quickly

[BOWHUNTER45]

Any of the above mentioned will do just fine ..The only one I do not own is a .204 ..but I may need to fix that ! ha !

[Mxracer532]

I used to use a 22-250 with 52gn Nosler BTs and 52gn Bergers. I even shot a coyote at about 10 yards with a 52gn Seirra HP and surprisingly didn't have an exit. I loaded hot, 40 grains of H380. The Noslers worked awesome but every so often would have a splash (huge entrance) or monster exit. The Bergers I felt did the best of both as far as killing power and pelt damage. The Seirras didn't anchor coyotes as well as the others.
Now I shoot a .243 and 95gn VLD's, close range alot of times I don't get an exit, but when I do I'm glad I don't care about pelt damage. (3136fps)

[257wbymagkiller]

Can't go wrong with .204, .223, 22-250  they are are fun calibers. I've always ended up taking my 22-250

[CAMPMEAT]

Every critter I've shot with my 22 mag died. Everything I've shot with my 17HMR has not. Every critter I've shot with me 223 died with no big holes. Everything I've shot with my 22-250 was blown apart. Haven't killed anything with my 204. Everything I've shot with my 17 WSM got blown apart, but were only as big as Jackelopes Tea Cup Poodle.

I'd go with any 223 brand rifle and use ONLY FMJ from my experiences, if your not selling hides or mounting it. I've never had a blown up coyote from the FMJ, 55 grain.

[JJB11B]

I'd definitely go with the 204 Ruger. Although the 223 is nice to have due to all the cheap factory ammo available for it. It would do the job as well. The 204 Ruger just has a bit more of the "cool factor."

22-250 is faster than needed and I wouldn't choose it if you want small holes.

I've seen equally nasty holes from .220 swift .22-250 and .204 ruger, as always bullet selection and shot placement are the key factors. .204 is moving about 400fps faster than a standard .22-250

[bobcat]

I'd definitely go with the 204 Ruger. Although the 223 is nice to have due to all the cheap factory ammo available for it. It would do the job as well. The 204 Ruger just has a bit more of the "cool factor."

22-250 is faster than needed and I wouldn't choose it if you want small holes.

I've seen equally nasty holes from .220 swift .22-250 and .204 ruger, as always bullet selection and shot placement are the key factors. .204 is moving about 400fps faster than a standard .22-250

Yes, you're right and it's really just a matter of personal preference. The bullet used is a much more important factor than the headstamp on the cartridge.

[JJB11B]

.220 swift is another good choice, btw if you consider a .22-250 try and find one with a tighter twist ratio than 1:14

[jstone]

Shot a coyote with a 30-30 core locks.... Very Big Hole. Dont use that. I used to use a .22 semi auto when i was going up in wenatchee. Worked great you just have to be close.

[C-Money]

If it was just for coons I would recommend the .17hmr. Throw in coyotes and bobcats, .223, lots of available ammo. Not so hard on the fur.

[theleo]

  The .22-250 is a hotrod cartridge but easy as pie to reload.  Buy H380, put in 38.0 grains, seal it with a 55grain VMax and go have fun.  Work it up if desired

This is my exact load for my model 700 VLS, but I do opt for magnum primers with ball powders like H380. Every coyote I have ever shot with this combo, inside of 300 yards, had only an entrance hole and host were DRT. Some made it 20 yards dead on their feat before they started cart wheeling. The ones 300 yards and beyond generally made the 20 yard dash and had a 1/2" exit hole.

[Curly]

I didn't see anyone recommend the 6x45.  I would think that would be a good choice.

[Jonathan_S]

  The .22-250 is a hotrod cartridge but easy as pie to reload.  Buy H380, put in 38.0 grains, seal it with a 55grain VMax and go have fun.  Work it up if desired

This is my exact load for my model 700 VLS, but I do opt for magnum primers with ball powders like H380. Every coyote I have ever shot with this combo, inside of 300 yards, had only an entrance hole and host were DRT. Some made it 20 yards dead on their feat before they started cart wheeling. The ones 300 yards and beyond generally made the 20 yard dash and had a 1/2" exit hole.

It plants them...every solid body hit is a dead dog in my experience. 

[Karl Blanchard]

  The .22-250 is a hotrod cartridge but easy as pie to reload.  Buy H380, put in 38.0 grains, seal it with a 55grain VMax and go have fun.  Work it up if desired

This is my exact load for my model 700 VLS, but I do opt for magnum primers with ball powders like H380. Every coyote I have ever shot with this combo, inside of 300 yards, had only an entrance hole and host were DRT. Some made it 20 yards dead on their feat before they started cart wheeling. The ones 300 yards and beyond generally made the 20 yard dash and had a 1/2" exit hole.

It plants them...every solid body hit is a dead dog in my experience.

Hard to walk away from a fast moving vmax out of the 250.  I'm running imr3031 though.

If you aren't interested in saving pelts its hard to beat the old .243 too!  I run a 58gr Vmax at 3,700 fps out of mine and it is my hands down favorite for coyote hunting.

[theleo]

If we aren't worrying about pelts, a 280ai with 110 grain TNT's anchors them with authority. I got about a 1" hole going in with no exit whole on the off side, but they were very flexible when I went to remove them from the field.