.17 wsm

[Frank_Gtz]

I'm a newbie looking to get started with coyote hunting, looking into buying a .17 wsm, any thoughts and advice on that caliber? Thanks

[Special T]

Its a cool caliber but im not sure it would be my go to for coyotes... Is there a reason why you are looking at sticking to rim fire?

I would suggest 223 because of ammo availability and lots of options. AR15 can be had or built CHEEP right now. I even think the ruger ar15 mag fed bolt actions are pretty sweet myslef... If you think your really gona thow the lead out there then perhaps a 22-250 is in your Future

[AWS]

  sort of.

17wsm, great round for sage rats and pelt hunting bobcats.  All around coyote gun needs more umph.  The 17 will work with great shot placement and limited rànge.

For a non-reloader the 223 is king, incredible seleçtion of ammo and inexpensive practice ammo.  I pelt, bounty and control hunted for forty years with one.

Unless you have experience with an AR it would not be my first choice for a coyote hunting rifle, they are awkward to carry, stuff sticks out every direction and they are complicated.  And yes I do have experience with one having my life depends on one for a few years.  A majority of the time if you don't make the fist shot count 29 more in the mag isn't going to help.

My ideal rifle for a beginner CALLING coyotes is light weight bolt gun, .223, 22 " barrel with detachable Mag.  Scoped with a low power variable scope FOV rocks on a calling gun, 1.5-6 to 2-10 there is plenty of time to turn the powe r up when a coyote is out a long ways but no time when they are in close plus that is just more movement to bust you when  they are in close.  I like to have at least a 40' FOV on the bottom end.

Shooting sticks instead of a bipod.  Bipods hang up in the brush and grass when you have a coyote show up where you didn't expect him and have to turn 90 or even 180 degrees.  I've had coyotes charge right past me and had to flop back on my back to shoot him going away.  To me they just get in the way but I  tend to hunt thicker cover.

Good luck and have fun

[Jerry malbeck]

Good Info from AWS.I agree. 

[Bofire]

I like everything from AWS and Jerry but I would substitute a 22-250 for the 223. My personal fav, 22-250 tikka T3 lite stainless with 3.5X 10X 40 VX III Leupold. I have 223 and AR 's and I love my 243, in the very same gun and scope. Do not give them coyotes a chance hammer them with a killer round!!!
Jerry got me started in this pursuit and I am thinking he owes me  about $16,000.00 in calls, guns, camo, and frustration!!! LOL

Carl
and Curt Barrett and Rick (Bearman too)

[CAMPMEAT]

The 17 WSM gun is affordable, the ammo is cheap, plentiful and very destructive on small vermin. The 22 mag is a better choice for out to 150 yards. The 223 rifle is $500 ish rifle with a $200 scope, ammo is plentiful now and 22 mag isn't. Depends on what and how much you want to spend. I have all 3 and use my 223 the most...

[Frank_Gtz]

Thanks, I really appreciate the time and willingness to share some of your knowledge in regards to the better caliber selection. That being said I will most likely go with the .223 for yotes and maybe even the .17 wsm for fun.

[Jerry malbeck]

Do not blame me Carl  You have to look at it another way, I saved your life--- Instead of sitting on the couch eating potato chips your getting some exercise, Now you owe me.

[Bofire]

LOL, I do admit having lots of fun, but owing you is a stretch!!!
Carl

[b23]

I've got one and after some new parts and a little extra money spent on it with my gunsmith, it shoots extremely well but as a coyote gun, well, about the only way I'd ever use it on coyotes is if it were my ONLY choice.  That is no dis on the 17 WSM in anyway and I actually really enjoy my Bmag now but in my opinion, 223 or even the 204 is MUCH more suited for yote hunting. 

If I hunted yotes in a rimfire only area, then my 17 WSM would be my first choice over all other rimfires.

[rasbo]

.17 wsm works great for me on yotes,I love it

[Special T]

Thats because you get them so close you could swat them with a stick Rasbo!

[rasbo]

Thats because you get them so close you could swat them with a stick Rasbo!

yes I would say its not a long range gun foresure

[b23]

I don't know, I think it was already dead when you walked up on the poor ole thing and you just took your picture with it. 

Wait, is this one of those high fence scam pics like that dude that got "outed" on that big bull elk??? 

[nwwanderer]

Looks like it was ear holed with the bmag, I say great job not matter the situation.  Do it again.  Oh, and by the way, no one is going to put a high fence around country like that, it exceeds the value of the ground many times over.