Savage .243 for coyotes?

[crowinghen]

 Is this a good gun for shooting coyotes?
Savage .243 model 110 with a 3-9x32 scope
thanks!

[Special T]

ANY gun is a good coyote gun as long as you can killem!  The other question is a good gun for whom? the 243 IMO is a great calling gun because you can kill all legal game with it. Bear cougar, deer and even elk (Not recommended by many) I personlly use my 30-06 because it helps sharpen shooting skills... I think if you are looking for a predator/deer gun then this is it... If you were looking for a predator only... Cougar, coyote, bobcat gun then I might go something differrent, but a .243 is a good round.

[FALFire]

Yes....the 243 is a great coyote caliber. You load that bad boy up with 55gr Nosler B-Tips and you have a 22-250 on steroids. That's what I use in mine and it flat hammers them dogs.

[crowinghen]

Hmm good thoughts.
 we bow hunt for deer, but thought it would be too hard to get a coyote in that close.  But we also thought that we might call in game other than coyotes, so we'd want to be prepared for that too.
If  we weren't interested in deer or larger game, what would you suggest?
thanks!

[WA hunter14]

22-250 is what almost everyone will recomend if you dont plan on using it for big game

[crowinghen]

I keep seeing that , but when I try and search for .22-250 nothing comes up.  I figure that's the type of ammo it uses. What's a good economical gun that shoots that?
 thanks!

susie

[Wazukie]

I'll take my 223AI over a 22-250 any day.

[WA hunter14]

savage axis, i just bought one for coyotes but in 223 because of the price of ammo love the gun would recommend it!

[scudmaster]

I have a Savage .243 model 10 with 3-9 Burris.  Gonna put a mil dot on it to allow me more distance and wind.  Typical of Savage my gun is it a five round less than MOA gun with almost anything I put in it.  Is preferred that is has an ACCU Trigger?

[Karl Blanchard]

I agree on the .223 over the 22-250.  Both great calibers but the .223 is WAY cheaper to shoot.

[AWS]

I shoot a 223, 22-204(223AI Long), 22-250, 6x45, 6mm/204, 243 and a few smaller and a few bigger. They've all killed coyotes.  Any rifle that shoots flat enough to hold on fur to 300yrds works well, Light bullets in small bores or specialty bullets in the bigger 6mm's work best for me because I hunt for pelts.  If your rifle needs to be your deer rifle the 243 is perfect.  Hunting open country and your shots tend to be long go for the 22-250 or 243.  If your calling and most of your shots are under 300 yrds you can't beat the 223.

In other words what ever feels good to you will kill coyotes.  I've been looking for the perfect predator gun for a long time, I'm down to four I like best, Terrain and Quary tells me what I'll be carrying that day.

[400out]

Yes....the 243 is a great coyote caliber. You load that bad boy up with 55gr Nosler B-Tips and you have a 22-250 on steroids. That's what I use in mine and it flat hammers them dogs.

that's the ticket!!!!!!!!

[crowinghen]

Thank you all!
Looks like we'll be going to look at the gun I mentioned  on Thursday ( Savage .243) just more versatility, and if we don't end up using it or liking  it , probably pretty easy to re-sell.
 thanks again!
 

[BOWHUNTER45]

I have shot thousands of rounds out of my .243 and love it .. for yotes I like a 87gr v-max flat long range bullet but a couple years ago I finally bought a .223 and it is now my go to gun ...I shot 55 gr v-max out of it and last year I dumped a big kitty at about 100 and it flat out leveled him ....so no doubt about the .223 being a big kitty gun 

[iusmc2002]

Thank you all!
Looks like we'll be going to look at the gun I mentioned  on Thursday ( Savage .243) just more versatility, and if we don't end up using it or liking  it , probably pretty easy to re-sell.
 thanks again!

The good thing about the Savage system, is that if you don't like that particular caliber, they are very easy to rebarrel.  Several major barrel makers have barrels you can install on your own, if you have the barrel vise.  You don't have to order one short-chambered and partially threaded, then take it to a 'smith and have him finish it, they come ready for install.  Something else to think about

[M_ray]

For varmints I shoot a Ruger 223 with 55gr v max ballistic tips ... its a screamer! 

[lghtnquik]

I'd stick with the .243 it may be a bit more gun than needed but ammo is plentiful and not too terribly expensive.

[crowinghen]

 we went gun shopping today-- it looks like I could really use a youth sized .243. ( I'm short)
 If anyone has one for sale  please send me a PM- thanks! looking to pay less than 500 for gun+ scope.

thanks!

[crowinghen]

may just go with  savage Axis in a youth size....

[FALFire]

I believe either Howa and/or the Weatherby Vanguard have a youth model and either is a fine choice. Check Walmart for prices too.

[rasbo]

here is a remington model 700 youth fixed 4 power..you will like this gun,bought it for my wife and cant seem to keep it out of my hands.New is under 500,look for a used gun in good shape,think I paid 200 for this one

[ELKBURGER]

If you're interested in a used one look at some gun shows. You get a much better variety and can dicker on a deal usually. I picked up a Ruger M77 with a heavy barrel at the show in portland a couple years back. I went looking for a .243 and there were many to pick from, new and used. It was fun to go looking for something in particular and have so many options. Many scope dealers there as well. I will be working the show with my Dad this weekend in portland if you're in the area check it out. Good Luck and happy gun hunting!

[flinter]

I got my girlfriend a Savage model 11 .243, youth model 3x9 nikon scope. Love that acutrigger. Big game season she feeds it 100 gr. Nosler partion -federal ammo. Nothing argues with it, 3 bull elk, 2 adult black bear, a bunch of deer - the rest of the year its the go to gun for all predeter trips - with standard 100 gr. bullets - It wil shoot 3/8" groups with handloads!!!

[trippledigitss]

ANY gun is a good coyote gun as long as you can killem!  The other question is a good gun for whom? the 243 IMO is a great calling gun because you can kill all legal game with it. Bear cougar, deer and even elk (Not recommended by many) I personlly use my 30-06 because it helps sharpen shooting skills... I think if you are looking for a predator/deer gun then this is it... If you were looking for a predator only... Cougar, coyote, bobcat gun then I might go something differrent, but a .243 is a good round.

Yep - great point. I dusted a coyote with my .243 1st time I took it out. I normally use .223 or 22-250 - that is if #4 buck is out of range - and if I am going to be shooting long range I'll usually take my Howa Axiom (22-250) over my MP15 (.223) but my MP is good at long range too, just not as much 'bite' at 200yds in my opinion. But when there is a possibility I may see something bigger, like a cat, I'll grab the .243 for the reason SpecialT said above.

I bought the .243 Savage Edge Combo (now Axis) in camo for $299 at Cabela's about 6mos ago. I changed the scope on it, it came with a Bushnell 3-9x40, to an older Tasco Varmit 2.5-10x 50 that I like. The gun shoots well even with the cheapest of ammo, its light, and the camo dip looks pretty good. I'd say get it! 

[crowinghen]

 Picked up my rifle today!
 I got the Savage Axis youth size .243 in black for about 300 bucks including tax- I think the scope is fine, the trigger is a bit heavy. gonna take it out shooting this weekend

Susie

[ELKBURGER]

Awesome! Have fun and post up some pics of your groups. Then go put the smack down on some yotes!

[BOWHUNTER45]

good choice... I grew up with a .243 and I have many memories from varmit hunting to deer hunting ....killed many yotes with mine ... just recently switched over to a .223 for coyotes but thats only because I wanted a new gun 

[addicted]

nah thats a crappy set up for coyotes. that gun can probably only kill them out to 600 or 700 yards and thats with a good scope. Definately not worth anything.

[trippledigitss]

Picked up my rifle today!
 I got the Savage Axis youth size .243 in black for about 300 bucks including tax- I think the scope is fine, the trigger is a bit heavy. gonna take it out shooting this weekend

Susie

Cool! Have fun with it and then go get some dogs! 

[FC]

nah thats a crappy set up for coyotes. that gun can probably only kill them out to 600 or 700 yards and thats with a good scope. Definately not worth anything.

Definitely need a .375 H&H minimum, them dogs are tough! If you can't make at least an eyeball sized entry hole they will just run off! 

[trippledigitss]

nah thats a crappy set up for coyotes. that gun can probably only kill them out to 600 or 700 yards and thats with a good scope. Definately not worth anything.

Definitely need a .375 H&H minimum, them dogs are tough! If you can't make at least an eyeball sized entry hole they will just run off! 

Whats up FC? Wanna head out to Kenmore with me tonight?