Best varmint caliber

[P8riot]

I've done a ton of research and I think a 22-250 fits the bill.

I have .223 but they are of the AR variety and the ones I have are far from the accuracy variety. But I do have a set up for reloading .223 so I could get a bolt rifle and load my own. There are coyotes around and the wife said if I shoot one, she would like the pelt so destruction of the pelt is a concern.

I liked the .243, but they say it will start damaging the pelt at that caliber.

The furthest shot I can get aound here is 300 yards. 100-200 is more likely.

Thoughts, opinions, experience

 

[Outdoorsfellar]

This is a topic that'll go on till the end of days. How far out you plan on shooting ? I had a 22-250 that did quite a bit of pelt damage. There are variables of course.

 

[P8riot]

I just updated it before I saw your reply 200 is probably the furthest. 100 is probably going to be the sweet spot. 300 is stretching is at my property and probably wont happen.

Hmmm, So a .223 going a bit slower might do less damage? 55 grain v max in a bolt gun could be my go to.

 

[giles]

Pelt damage can be minimized by what bullet you choose.

Some snares and a 22 would be my suggestion.

 

[ThatBuckeyeGuy]

I'm a big 204 fan myself

 

["J"]

I use a .243 with a 58 grain vmax. Well, because, fugg those pelts. I want them graveyard dead. You could use the same gun with a toned down round. Less damage (carnage) but just as dead.

 

[Hortontoter]

Have you considered a .17HMR. If you are concerned with pelt damage this may be a good choice. I've been using this caliber since it came on the market. I bought it mainly for use calling raccoons during daylight. But, it turned into my groundhog gun also. Most times the 20gr. HP never exits the animal, either raccoon or groundhog. I have never had the opportunity to shoot a yote yet, but I feel it will do the job. I have killed a few very large coons a few it anchored on the spot and a few ran may 10 yards or so. I've never had one it didn't knock out of the tree. Most coons are shot at under 50 yards. But I have killed ground hogs out to 150 yards or so. After that range the bullet slows down to much to do what a hollow point is supposed to do, expand I sight my Savage in at 35 yards and it is again D.O. at 140 with the mid point bullet rise being about 1.1" at 90 yards. Quite impressive trajectory for a rimfire.

20 GRAIN	BULLET
DISTANCE	IMPACT
15	-0.71
30	-0.05
35	D.0.
45	0.48
60	0.87
75	1.1
90	1.15
105	1.04
120	0.73
135	0.21
140	D.O.
150	-0.51
165	-1.47
180	-2.68
195	-4.15
210	-5.92
225	-7.99

 

[Boarhead]

Have you considered a .17HMR. If you are concerned with pelt damage this may be a good choice. I've been using this caliber since it came on the market. I bought it mainly for use calling raccoons during daylight. But, it turned into my groundhog gun also. Most times the 20gr. HP never exits the animal, either raccoon or groundhog. I have never had the opportunity to shoot a yote yet, but I feel it will do the job. I have killed a few very large coons a few it anchored on the spot and a few ran may 10 yards or so. I've never had one it didn't knock out of the tree. Most coons are shot at under 50 yards. But I have killed ground hogs out to 150 yards or so. After that range the bullet slows down to much to do what a hollow point is supposed to do, expand I sight my Savage in at 35 yards and it is again D.O. at 140 with the mid point bullet rise being about 1.1" at 90 yards. Quite impressive trajectory for a rimfire.

20 GRAIN	BULLET
DISTANCE	IMPACT
15	-0.71
30	-0.05
35	D.0.
45	0.48
60	0.87
75	1.1
90	1.15
105	1.04
120	0.73
135	0.21
140	D.O.
150	-0.51
165	-1.47
180	-2.68
195	-4.15
210	-5.92
225	-7.99

Good choice Dick, I killed prairie dogs at 245 yards in Wyoming with a .17 ..killed a coyote with it at 100 yds..plus it's just a fun gun to shoot.

 

[hickslawns]

I love my 17hmr. I would trust it for head shots on a coyote. Not sure it has enough for the vitals without a perfect shot. Just my opinion.

 

[OO2]

Im with @giles on snare and .22. They hunt 24/7

 

[Sgt Fury]

A 17wsm would push your range out to 300 yards, as would a .222….both are fun to shoot.

 

[Hedgelj]

204 gets blown around easily

I'd go 17hmr and centerfire if that wasn't enough. Then it would come down to new gun or existing and if i was going to dedicate it or multipurpose and if i reload or not.
22-250, 223 & 243 would each get the nod for different scenarios.

 

["J"]

Whatever happened too the .22 hornet?

 

[Hedgelj]

Whatever happened too the .22 hornet?

i don't know the last time i saw a box in a store....

 

["J"]

i don't know the last time i saw a box in a store....

I’ve got an single shot one that has. 20ga barrel and .22 hornet barrel. It was a relative that was given too me. Rough shape and never bothered shooting it.

 

[Smawgunner2]

220 swift

 

[mike hunt]

22-250

 

[CJD3]

“Varmints” come in a few different sizes.
You Probably should have a 17HMR for the small to med size and something mentioned above for bigger.

We all start with a shotgun, handgun an a 22.
After that , the rabbit holes are seemingly endless.

Good luck and enjoy the quest!

 

[JARHEAD]

If you're lookin at 100-150 yard shots, hands down I'd go with a .17HMR. Any further I'd recommend a .220 swift. That's been our go to but we don't get a shot at much h further than 100 around here due to terrain and topo restrictions

 

[Outside]

I like plenty of rifling twist in 223, else accuracy seems to go out the window. A nice Camp Perry target 22 loaded up with Walmart specials is deadly against most undesireables. Enjoy what you shoot, shoot what you enjoy.