Best Coyote Caliber: Ensure Your Perfect Shot Every Time.

.223 Remington

When choosing the coyote caliber, 223 Remington is the first choice of all hunters. It is arguably the most used caliber for predators such as bobcats, foxes, and primarily coyotes.

These calibers offer a balance of power, accuracy, and affordability. It is particularly well-suited for hunters who prefer mid-range engagements, typically within 300 yards.

Advantages of Using .223 Remington for Coyote Hunting

• 223 Remington is very effective & delivers enough energy to ensure a quick and humane kill, minimizing animal suffering.
• The .223 Remington is known for its accuracy, allowing hunters to make precise shots even at longer ranges.
• The .223 Remington has relatively low recoil compared to larger calibers, making it a good choice for novice hunters or those sensitive to recoil.
• The .223 Remington is widely available and inexpensive, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious hunters.

Price & Availability: 223 Remington is widely available online & in stores at affordable prices starting from $0.40 per round. It allows hunters to practice consistently without breaking the bank.

.22-250 Remington

The .22-250 Remington is a popular and effective caliber for coyote hunting, offering power, accuracy, and a flatter trajectory as compared to the .223 Remington. It is particularly well-suited for hunters who prefer longer-range engagements, typically within 400-500 yards.

Pros of Using .22-250 Remington for Coyote Hunting

• The .22-250 Remington delivers more power and a flatter trajectory than the .223 Remington, making it more effective for longer-range shots. This allows hunters to dispatch coyotes at extended distances with greater precision ethically.
• The .22-250 Remington is known for its accuracy and ability to resist wind drift, which is crucial for longer-range shots. This ensures that hunters can confidently place their shots, even in windy conditions.
• The .22-250 Remington is effective for coyotes and other varmints and predators, such as prairie dogs, foxes, and bobcats. This versatility makes it a popular choice among hunters who pursue a variety of varmint species.

Price & Availability: .22-250 Remington ammunition tends to be more expensive & less available as compared to .223 Remington ammunition.

.204 Ruger Ammo

204 is a great caliber that will do light hide/fur damage and still have great knock-down power on Coyotes. 204 Ruger has minimal recoil, is very accurate, has an extremely flat trajectory, and is decent enough for long-range shooting. These bullets are a good choice for coyote & varmint hunting.

204 Ruger is awesome—virtually no recoil. The sound is low enough not to kill your ears. It shoots flat as a laser out to about 350-375 yards and will kill coyotes out to 500 or so.

Why Choose .204 for Coyote hunting

• Flat Trajectory: The .204 Ruger boasts an extremely flat trajectory, making it ideal for long-range shots, a common requirement in coyote hunting.
• High Velocity: This caliber is known for its high muzzle velocity, allowing for excellent long-range performance and minimal bullet drop.
• Outstanding Accuracy: The .204 Ruger is renowned for its exceptional accuracy, which is critical when targeting small and fast-moving coyotes.
• Quick Kills: This caliber's high velocity and energy transfer result in rapid and humane kills when shot placement is accurate.
• Limited Recoil: Compared to larger calibers, the .204 Ruger has relatively low recoil, enabling quick follow-up shots.

Price & Availability: Regarding price & availability of .204, Ruger ammo has a limited selection of bullet weights and types compared to more popular calibers like the .223 Remington. Price range: $0.89 to $2.00.

6.5 Creedmoor Ammo

The 6.5mm Creedmoor is the most popular choice for hunting because of its excellent accuracy and moderate recoil.

The 6.5mm Creedmoor is a good choice for coyote hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.

Why Choose 6.5 Creedmoor For Coyote?

• Regarding external ballistics, the 6.5 Creedmoor has a higher ballistic coefficient and a flatter trajectory, making it more effective at long range.
• 6.5 Creedmoor ammo is generally considered suitable for hunting when loaded with a heavy-for-caliber bullet, such as a 140-grain bullet.
• These heavy bullets have a high sectional density, which allows them to maintain velocity and energy over long distances, making them suitable for long-range shots.

Price & Availability: Many companies make bullets for it because so many people like the 6.5 Creedmoor. This competition keeps costs reasonable within the $0.811 - $7.25 per round range.

.243 Winchester Ammo

The .243 Winchester is an excellent choice for coyote hunting, offering a balance of power, accuracy, and manageable recoil. It is effective for mid and long-range engagements, making it a versatile option for hunters pursuing coyotes in various terrains and conditions.

Advantages of Using .243 Winchester for Coyote Hunting

• The .243 Winchester is a versatile caliber that can handle a wide range of game, making it an excellent choice for coyote hunting.
• It offers a relatively flat trajectory, which is important for accurate long-range shots, a common scenario in coyote hunting.
• The .243 Winchester offers a balance of power and recoil, making it comfortable to shoot and allowing quick follow-up shots.

Price & Availability: The .243 Winchester is widely available and relatively affordable, making it easy to find ammunition for practice and hunting. This accessibility and affordability are attractive for budget-conscious hunters.

220 Swift Ammo

The .220 Swift is a high-velocity rifle cartridge that is well-suited for coyote hunting. It is known for its flat trajectory and excellent accuracy, making it a good choice for long-range shots.

The .220 Swift is also relatively lightweight and has low recoil, making it a comfortable cartridge to shoot.

Pros of using .220 Swift ammo for coyote hunting

• The .220 Swift has a very flat trajectory, which means that you don't have to compensate for bullet drop as much as you would with other cartridges.
• The .220 Swift is a very accurate cartridge, even at long range. This is due to its high velocity and flat trajectory.
• The .220 Swift is a relatively lightweight cartridge, and it has low recoil. This makes it a comfortable cartridge to shoot, even for extended periods of time.

Price & Availability: The .220 Swift is a little bit hard to find as compared to other coyote calibers like 6.5 Creedmoor. The cost range starts from $1.45 per round.

7.62×39mm Ammo

Within its effective range of around 100 yards, the 7.62x39mm delivers sufficient power to dispatch coyotes with proper shot placement ethically.

Advantages Of Using 7.62×39mm Ammo For Coyote Hunting

• The 7.62x39mm provides sufficient power to ethically dispatch coyotes at close range, typically within 100 yards.
• 7.62x39mm is known for its versatility and can be used in various firearms, including semi-automatic rifles like the AK-47 and SKS
• The 7.62x39mm cartridge delivers adequate energy for taking down coyotes effectively, especially at closer ranges.

Price & Availability: The 7.62x39mm is one of the world's most widely available and inexpensive rifle cartridges, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious hunters.

Final Words

In conclusion, choosing the best coyote caliber is a decision that should not be taken lightly. It's a choice that can greatly influence your success in the field and the ethicality of your hunt.

Choose the caliber that best suits your skills and hunting style, and venture forth confidently, knowing you can make ethical and responsible decisions in the field.