Good caliber for coyote's....

[rsbhunter]

Found a really decent deal on a Savage 12 LRPV in 20 PPC.....I am looking for a caliber to barrel to, and am thinking about a 26" varmint profile 1-8 6br. I already have 221 fireball, 223's 6XC, 6.5 creed's and up. Kind of intrigued by the accuracy of the 6br.....So , what are your thoughts? Thanks for any input...rsbhunter

 

[CT10ring]

I've shot yotes with 6ppc, 22-250, 220 Swift, 223 Rem., 222, 6 BR.
fwiw, I'd say .243 Win. w a 70g Sierra Blitz King.
my .243 is ready to go w this *** beside the door - as the opportunity presents.
Ditch the Savage 12 - 26" way too heavy.
check out a lighter 22" bbl.
Like an M18 Mauser.
Just a suggestion, sir.

 

[swd]

I’d consider a Dasher. Brass is available from 2 manufacturers and is here to stay.

 

[Tommie]

The 20 PPC is a killer with 39-40 grain pills. Why do you want to change it?

 

[boltfluter]

6BR and 87 V-max is a match made in heaven. Many kills over 500 yds with this combination and minimal hide damage.

Paul

 

[msinc]

I guess the first thing to consider, like boltfluter touched on above, is are you just getting rid of coyotes, or do you want to try and salvage as much fur as you can???? If you want to save fur then strike all the 3500-4000 fps plus explosive bullet heaving calibers and begin by selecting the bullet you intend to use. Then build the rifle based on that.
I build several custom rifles each year for guys that have a specific use in mind and like you many of them want to start with caliber/cartridge. I always tell them and I do this myself, "figure out the game animal and then the appropriate bullet and you will have answered your caliber/gun question. In your case I wish I could recommend a .224 caliber Nosler Partition, but the bullet itself is so pathetically inaccurate you will have to scratch that idea. Good hunting and best of luck.

Edit: I think many coyote hunters might limit themselves needlessly by worrying too much about hide damage {i.e., using a 221 Fireball}. You aren't going to mount or tan every one you kill, just the nice ones and there will be some, so again don't limit yourself too much.

 

[AckleymanII]

I have spent a good part of my life hunting coyotes. Part of hunting is loosing brass, follow up shots, and shots at multiples. I use bolt action rifles and gas operated shotguns.

Speed is a killer, accuracy gives you confidence. Most any caliber with a custom barrel installed by a competent gunsmith is going to shoot very small groups.

My favorite calibers are 223, 22/250 AI, 243 Winchester, 6mm Remington and AI version.

I quit saving hides in 1984.

Favorite bullets to blow up a coyote is:

55g Sierra blitz lead tip at 3400 out of a 223(benchmark and cci 450)
60g Berger at 3700 out of a 22/250 AI

80g Sierra blitz out of a zero freebore, 12T -243 & 6 Remington at 3400 and 3500 respectively

80g Sierra Blitz out of a zero freebore, 12T 6 Rem AI at 3800

I am contemplating a 6 XC with .030 freebore shooting the 80g Sierra Blitz bt and should be able to achieve 3300. This will give ample room in the mag box to chase lands as needed. David Tubb is reported to have very good, tough brass in the 6 XC at a reasonable price. 6 XC feeds like a dream in Rem 700, std bdl.

If you want to use an off the rack rifle that is very, very accurate and kills coyotes well, the 270 with Sierra 90g HP with IMR 3031, blows coyotes up with authority, shooting tiny groups.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

.243 30* shoulder. and 95 gr TMKs. feeds like a dream out of magbox's. easy to reach 3100 fps with moly and H4350. Can fire form brass from Factory ammo.
.243 brass is inexpensive compared to 6 br, Dasher 6 xc ect. Second choice 6 Creedmoor :-(

 

[rsbhunter]

Awesome advice from all, I need to give more information... this will be a fun gun. I don't save hides, I would like to get one to tan, but not a priority. For most use, I use a 223 bolt, or a super lightweight ar15 223. I have a 6XC that is sporter weight (wicked accurate), a 223 WSSM with a bull barrel, a 6.5x284 sporter weight. This gun I bought for $350, because it was a factory bbl'd 204 Ruger cut to 24" and chambered to 20 PPC. As such, it wasn't a "highly desirable" project for most people. I have found 20 PPC ammo that I might try first...might change my mind. I have been turned toward the Dasher in place of the br, as it seems I will gain fps and not lose any accuracy, and case forming is a breeze. Please keep the info and suggestions coming, ...Thanks, rsbhunter

 

[AckleymanII]

Speed is a coyote hunters friend, near and far...bullets need speed to kill on the spot. Many match bullets will not expand as the speed goes down. For instance, at 3400 fps, coyotes shot at 100 yards with 80g Bergers had a 1" hole in them, with no loud plop when hit. Same load with 80g Sierra Blitz BT makes a mess of a coyote on the spot with a very loud PLOP sound when hit.

You could have a gunsmith cut off 4 threads off your 6 BR, then run in a 243 AI or even better a 6 Rem AI reamer.

Shooting coyotes at 500 needs a bullet that expands and not zipping through a coyote. I used to hunt fields when they were being irrigated with gophers climbing up on the rows to keep from drowning. Coyotes would run the rows having a gopher smorgasbord.

Bullet choice and speed with accuracy means more than headstamps.

 

[redrockranger]

You might need a new bolt head ?

 

[rsbhunter]

Yes, I figured either a PTG bolt head or stock, then lap lugs....if I do change caliber, then I'm leaning towards 6mm Dasher.....with 70-80gr weight range, should be able to get decent velocity....heavier for wind or longer range...I am looking at a Shilen select ss varmint profile, throated for 90-100gr bullets...as we normally have wind...like i said, this might be carried a half mile one way, with either a "backpack" sling, or a pack with a rifle sleeve built in...scope choice is not a concern, have plenty to try/swap....again, thanks for all the help...rsbhunter

 

[HandgunHTR]

If you don't want the hassle of changing out the bolt head, you could go with a 6.5 Grendel. Great little round that you can load for varmints, deer or paper.

 

[Tommie]

I have found 20 PPC ammo that I might try first

Please do so. I think the 20 PPC will complete your stated mission to perfection.

 

[rsbhunter]

Yes, the ammo is about $50 a box (til I reload for it, if I keep it), have never had a 20 bore....might be fun....rsbhunter

 

[farmerjohn]

Speed is a coyote hunters friend, near and far...bullets need speed to kill on the spot. Many match bullets will not expand as the speed goes down. For instance, at 3400 fps, coyotes shot at 100 yards with 80g Bergers had a 1" hole in them, with no loud plop when hit. Same load with 80g Sierra Blitz BT makes a mess of a coyote on the spot with a very loud PLOP sound when hit.

You could have a gunsmith cut off 4 threads off your 6 BR, then run in a 243 AI or even better a 6 Rem AI reamer.

Shooting coyotes at 500 needs a bullet that expands and not zipping through a coyote. I used to hunt fields when they were being irrigated with gophers climbing up on the rows to keep from drowning. Coyotes would run the rows having a gopher smorgasbord.

Bullet choice and speed with accuracy means more than headstamps.

What he says! Been killing them here raising cattle since the 50's. Plain old 244 Rem. 27' Kreiger barrel 10 twist. 3900+FPS with a 55 blitz is a string out to 350 which is about the limit here on the farm. If you are going out past that then go with a heavier bullet but a varmint style....IMHO

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Normal shooting distance, wind, and do you care about fur?

 

[284winner]

Any caliber will kill a coyote. Shotguns do a great job too in the right situation. Killed one of them fawn killers from my tower shack with my 10mm at 45 yards. 155 grain HP @ 1500 fps. Hide was toast.

 

[AckleymanII]

That was one heck of a shot, 284! Ever do a European mount with a coyote skull? Cut the head off, put the head on a hill of fire ants, put a bucket over the head with a rock on top. Fire ants will do a great job on the skull.

 

[rsbhunter]

Distance is from 25 yards, to 500...not being funny. I'm in S.E. New Mexico, and even though most of the spots are 20 miles from town, still get hunted a lot.I usually hunt days where wind is 2-10 mph. I've had dogs run in to 25-50 and 2 others that would literally sit at 500 yards and watch . The problem is, I have enough rifles, shotguns, pistols to cover any situation, I just keep buying projects.....EDIT TO OTHER POST! The 20 PPC is probably out, the ammo I thought was 20 ppc, is 22 ppc. The cost of brass, does, bullets, etc kind of make it a losing proposition, as that caliber is hard to sell, especially in a stock converted bbl. Need to chamber in a more common caliber that can be sold down the road if needed....still leaning towards 6mm Dasher....but haven't even received the rifle yet, should be this next week...rsbhunter