This coyote was shot 1" to the right of his nose and if the bullet would have stayed on corse it would have exited under the passenger side ear. this was with a 204
i think there are to many veriables to shoot a yote with anything less than a 222

oh yea the coyote was recovered 480 yards away

ok before everybody jumps on me i have killed coyotes with a 22 rimfire and killed quite a few with a 22 mag but if i am going to buy a rifle that is just for that purpose it would be a 22-250 223 222 or maybe a 243 in that order

make head shots with the HMR.

and set up in areas where the wind is blocked. Trees help alot

There are places that the nearest tree is a mile or more away. And that is one tree, not trees, so what do you do in these cases? Some parts of New Mexico and West Texas, have trees that are almost as scarce as hens teeth.

I never was a fur saver, never will be, so I personally I prefer a good 243, then a 223. With the 243, if another target opportunity presents itself, I know I have enough weapon to go for it.

.223 for me

I'm getting ready to get into yote hunting and ask the same questions as the OP. My 22 mag would be great for shots within 75 yards but I need a little more gun for longer shots.I have a 17hmr but I don't consider it a proper round. I am currently waiting for a 223 to show up at my FFL. It will be perfect for my needs.

Reggie

.17 may not be the all a round favorite round. And if you want a predator rifle to shoot in any situation than get a .223. But on calm days in north tx we have trees and you can always find a clearing that wwill give a 200 yrd shot and under. I feel my .17 is a capable rifle.....to me, not every Tom, Dick, and Harry. It's like if asked what the best truck to take off road was asked. We would never get everyone to agree. They go by what they have experience and learned about the ride of their choice. Same thing about a mans gun selection in the field. In my area and in my hands I use the .17 HMR. Didn't say it would shoot in the wind or shoot a mile long. But I don't hunt that way you see I'm a caller, not just a shooter. Anyone can shoot 300 yrd yotes but not everyone can call them in close. It's called hunting not snipeing.

Did I read that right? A 204 to the cheek and the coyote ran 480 yards? What range was the shot and what kind of bullet?

winchester makes a 55 grain for the .243...

reload 22-250 with a 55gr v-max H-380 powder....

reload 243 with a 95gr SST bullet...

all do a great job....

Best advice in this thread


Chupa

the only caliber and load for our team is 22-250 and the new hornady superformance varmint load ,we got alot of country with super fox we call them because they simply wont die and since we started shooting that load one shot and done.

"Head Shots" are not lethal. Brain shots are.

The coyote's brain is roughly the size of an egg.

Ever try hitting an egg at 100yds?

Since coyotes rarely stand still for long, ever tried to hit an egg that is doing Mach 5? <-----this is a stretch, I know. But I use it as an anology.


Chupa

The question isn't can a .17HMR kill a coyote? Ofcourse it can.

The question is: Can the shooter kill a coyote with a .17HMR reliably?

How many limits are you willing to put on your stand?


Chupa

I would prefer a 243 with 80 - 100gr bullets. The heavier bullets stabilize a lot better than the 45-75gr bullets on smaller calibers. I rather have a bigger round just in case a "once in a lifetime" mt.lion shows up.
You can also use a .243 for deer, pigs and all other critters in our great State of Texas.

you never really know what a bullet it going to do to one. I've had 223s mess them up just as bad as a 300wm has. Like previously stated, a shotgun is the best option for keeping one intact to get mounted, but need to get them in somewhat close.

17 HMR seems to do the trick, last three dogs I shot with it had no exit.

Years back we used .223 loaded with hornandy
Xtp loaded hot and that little 55 gr bullet
Blew coyotes in half