Newbie needs gun for coyotes - 22-250?

[Bkdamkr]

Hi all.
I’m new here and could use help and advice about choosing and setting up a gun for coyotes. I live on a ranch and for whatever reason, they’re getting closer than I’d like. I will be shooting at maybe 200-300 yards and down a steep hill, so I want something that shoots flat. It seems like a 22-250 would be a good choice, or maybe a 223. Any advice?

I also need help with a scope. I expect to be shooting primarily at night so I assume that I need a night vision scope. Help here?

How do I make sure to get a rifle and scope that are compatible? Do all scopes fit onto some sort of standard mount that all rifles have?

BTW, I’m in the SF Bay Area and would love to get in touch with someone here who could give me hands-on help with this.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[joed49]

For what you want I'd go with a .22-250 in a standard twist. I was in the same situation here in Ohio and made the choice. It's a great cartridge to 400 yards and shoots very flat.

The scope is pretty much a personal thing but I have a 6x18 on mine. There are options for mounting but that's a personal thing too. Bases are available in 1 piece or 2 piece. I have rifles with both choices and both work well. The one thing I like is a low mounted scope, as close to the barrel as I can get.

 

[Phil]

P.M. Sent....

 

[rr2030]

A few things to consider before you purchase a rifle. This is California and we are led free for fur-bearers here.You will find that the standard twist of 1:14 will stabilize 36grain led free bullets. I don't know if you reload but commercial ammo, led free in the caliber and weight you desire may be difficult or impossible to locate here. So think about going with a faster twist and in 22-250 you may be limited to the Savage(1:12 and 1:9). Since the led free thing here I have limited my coyote shooting to 300 yards or less with my Rem 700 1:14 tw. So maybe another cartridge like the .223 where 1:9 twist is common may be more desirable if you don't like the Savage.

Shooting at night, here in the peoples state ?, you need to be certain its legal in your area. Here is a link that should get you on your way to find out if its OK. You might want to check with DFG in your area just to be sure.

Good luck.

 

[284winner]

For your requirement, a .223 will work just fine as well. I think I'd get it in a 9 twist so pushing a 69/70 grain low drag bullet around 3000 fps is doable for the longer ranges If desired. Consider using the 53 Vmax bullets also. Very low drag bullet. Probably wouldn't even need to consider the heavier bullets using the 53 Vmax. Great 223 bullet pushed around 3300 fps + will destroy coyotes.

 

[swd]

Coyotes aren't hard to kill if put it in the right place. A 223 or 22/250 will work well. The 223 will have more ammo choices. Listen to whatever Phil pm's you about. Good guy and varmint shooter.

 

[B23]

It's really unfortunate so many of the big companies don't market 22-250's with at least a 12tw or better yet a 10tw barrel. All that horsepower and you're limited to shooting a 52gr bullet in all those 22-250's that come from the factory with a slowwwwww azz 14tw barrel.

 

[rr2030]

I had no problemo killing coyotes, Bobcats, ground squirrels n such out to 600 ish with my 1:14 twist using Sierra 55 HPBT game kings. And then we went to led free and now its a paper puncher and steel slammer or I limit distance to 300 yards. So I use a .223 or my 30/30 contender for the critters, until I re-barrel.

 

[oldman1951]

It's really unfortunate so many of the big companies don't market 22-250's with at least a 12tw or better yet a 10tw barrel. All that horsepower and you're limited to shooting a 52gr bullet in all those 22-250's that come from the factory with a slowwwwww azz 14tw barrel.

Tikka has a 1-8 twist now.

 

[Mark W]

It's really unfortunate so many of the big companies don't market 22-250's with at least a 12tw or better yet a 10tw barrel. All that horsepower and you're limited to shooting a 52gr bullet in all those 22-250's that come from the factory with a slowwwwww azz 14tw barrel.

For the OPs stated purpose of 200 to 300 yard coyotes a slow azz 1:14 twist 22-250 would work just fine. There’s no need to lob heavy high BC bullets at that short distance. Fast as flat is where it’s at!!!

 

[Evan]

For the OPs stated purpose of 200 to 300 yard coyotes a slow azz 1:14 twist 22-250 would work just fine. There’s no need to lob heavy high BC bullets at that short distance. Fast as flat is where it’s at!!!

Especially considering that ranging critters at night is tricky. You'll appreciate a flatter trajectory making up for when the yote was at 250y instead of 220y.

BTW, I’m in the SF Bay Area and would love to get in touch with someone here who could give me hands-on help with this.

Brian,
Finding someone local to help you out will be really useful, since it seems like you're new to this. I wouldn't trust whoever is behind the gun counter to actually know anything. All too often it seems like they don't have much experience or knowledge. You could look for a gun club or rifle range around you and contact them for help getting going if no one on this forum is nearby.

Here are some cartridges to consider in ascending size:

17 Remington , 204 Ruger, 22-250, 243 Winchester, 6mm Creedmoor, 25-06

If your gun store has a plentiful supply of ammo and a rifle that catches your fancy, then any of these would readily suit your purpose. Once you've found a type of ammo that shoots well in your rifle, you can order a larger quantity (hopefully at a discount). California has an unfortunate law preventing online shopping, and effectively eliminating competition, so you're a slave to what your local stores offer you.

Night vision: I have no clue there but I've had reasonable luck with a 3-12x scope turned all the way down to 3x at night.

 

[R.Morehouse]

You may be able to have some real fun with putting together an AR for the task. Visit www.6mmar.com and check out what you can throw through a gas gun....

Regards
Rick

 

[thatguyshm]

AR and California don't go hand in hand. Most companies don't even ship parts to Cali so if scratch that off the list. Personally, I'd go with a 22-250 Ruger Compact. It's a 1:10 twist, short and compact, and will sling any bullets you'd want. With it being California, I'd recommend something faster than a 14 twist just due to length of lead free bullets.

 

[drover]

Here you go - stainless barrel Ruger American 22/250 with 1-8 twist = $279.99. I don't know how you could find a better coyote rifle for the dollars.

https://shop.whittakerguns.com/product/1704071440207

drover