Looking for a versatile gun.

[goosegetter79]

So i'm looking for a caliber that is a good coyote killer and one that will also kill me a deer. Was thinking about a .243 but was also thinking a .270. What do you guy's and gal's think?

[Bulldozer]

243, 25-06 if you want to maybe salvage hides. Otherwise any deer cartridge will kill a yote.

[Red Dawg]

I think if you want an ultimate dawg/deer killer I would get anything in the 25 caliber area. Notably the 25-06. but a 243 would also be a great multipurpose gun also.

[Galpster]

In my opinion the 25.06 is the most well rounded gun their is. It is capable of dropping elk all the way down to the yote. the other most well rounded caliber ou there is the 30.06. the 30.06 is a little big and expensive to shoot at yotes at about a $1 a round where you can get 25.06 for $0.50 to $0.80 cents a round

[uplandhunter870]

theres no saving pelts with any bigger than some sort of .22cal, unless you shoot FMJs.  i would reccomend the 243 if its just deer and smaller but if you want to extend the variety out a bit to include bear and possibly elk i would say go with the 25.06 or possibly the 270 if you really want to make a mess of Mr. wiley c. coyote.

[Tony 270WSM]

243, 25-anything, 260, up to a 270 would work fine.

Don't buy into the BS that you can get one or another at half the ammo price. Take a look, most ammo runs about the same and varies in price by bullet, not by caliber. Just get one in the rifle you like and choose a load that is accurate (after trying several).

[wrangler]

257 roberts. NOTHING better for what your trying to do.

[chrisb]

Why not go for an AR? you can easily swap uppers for different calibers when you want to switch the game you go after.

[Huntbear]

257 roberts. NOTHING better for what your trying to do.

Amen, there! 

[jackelope]

Why not go for an AR? you can easily swap uppers for different calibers when you want to switch the game you go after.

or an encore?

I've got a 22-250 barrel and a 300 win mag barrel for mine and am also looking to pick up a turkey barrel here pretty soon. I love this set up.

[goosegetter79]

Thanks guy's for the replies so far. Don't do any elk hunting (yet) so it'll mainly be for yote's and deer. Never thought of the 25-06 might have to look at that.

[coriantonk]

I like the 7x57 mauser very versitile and easy on the shoulder.

[alecvg]

.30/06, will kill anything in North America.  Have even heard of people killing elephants with them.  If hunting coyotes, tone down the load to a 90 or 110 gr. load.  180 gr. for deer or elk.   

[high country]

243 or th 25-06 are beyond proven. if you tend to wring some distance out in your shots.....257roy has put rosies on their side for me at 400yds with a 100gr pass through.

[Galpster]

or an encore?

I've got a 22-250 barrel and a 300 win mag barrel for mine and am also looking to pick up a turkey barrel here pretty soon. I love this set up.

[/quote]

What does an encore cost? Then how much for each different barrel? It sounds really cool. Never seen one or shot one but I am really considering one.

[Bofire]

 :)Never buy a versatile gun!!!
You MUST buy a different one for each animal in each sitution.

Rookies!
Carl

[goosegetter79]

:)Never buy a versatile gun!!!
You MUST buy a different one for each animal in each sitution.

Rookies!
Carl

I'd love to but the wife would kill me and don't have 10k to spend on guns.

[bobcat]

You definitely need a 270. Good for elk too if you ever decide to try that.

[jdb]

or an encore?

I've got a 22-250 barrel and a 300 win mag barrel for mine and am also looking to pick up a turkey barrel here pretty soon. I love this set up.

What does an encore cost? Then how much for each different barrel? It sounds really cool. Never seen one or shot one but I am really considering one.
[/quote]the rifle's them selves cost about the same as maybe a little less than most bolt action sporters and then the barrels cost around 300$ I have one in .223 and love it very handy rifle

[jackelope]

What does an encore cost? Then how much for each different barrel? It sounds really cool. Never seen one or shot one but I am really considering one.

used is the way to go with the barrels. around $200 for used barrels. i saw one for sale on 24hourcampfire with 2 barrels for $700.00. with the gun and 2 barrels and 2 scopes, bases, rings, etc you can get into a few bucks all together, then if 1 happens to end up at a  gunsmith the price ggoes up...
 

[Elk-aholic]

I got a .257 Weatherby Mag, take a look at those ballistics if you're interested in a 25 cal it smokes pretty hard good for Varmints and Elk.

[addicted]

drilling. about as versitile as it gets. 

[TEX-X]

416 rigsby   

[KimberRich]

257 roberts. NOTHING better for what your trying to do.

x3

Awesome caliber with lots of options and not used by a lot of guys so generally there is factory ammo always on the shelf if you're not a reloader..

[goosegetter79]

Thanks for the replies guy's. I think it's going to be between the .25-06 and .243. Gonna go check out a few this weekend and then wait for the tax return to come in and make a choice.

[wrangler]

can't go wrong with a 25-06. iv been around one for years, that'd have been my second choice.

[FALFire]

The overall cost difference between the 243 and the 25-06 is minimal. The accuracy? I would say, the 243 might have the edge but the biggest difference will be the thump on the other end. The 25 will take the lead with the foot pounds of energy once you get out there beyond 400 yards. Would it matter? Likely not, so either will do the job quite effectively. I have had one of my 25-06's for over 30 years and the 243 for aout 5 years, both have easily killed deer and either will put the stop on a coyote with extreme authority.

[Missing]

I have to give another vote for the 257 rob, they far out perform their published data. Another good round is the 6mm Remington, I have the 6mm in a 7400 semi and Encore

[carpsniperg2]

by far the 25-06 is great for what you are looking for just what mine is used for 85-90 grains yotes 100-120 deer knocks them silly without to much recoil and great ballistics as well.

[addicted]

8mm mauser.  fast light bullets drift. big heavy bullets are consistent and do lots of damage without ruining a bunch of meat or pelt.

[thinkingman]

338 win mag...for sure.
you're crazy to consider anything smaller.
600 nitro if you want to do the deed in one shot.

[Intruder]

243 all the way.