Coyotes/Wolves

[Europe]

While speaking to cheyenne in an attempt to get her to post again, we had an interesting conversation about Wolves and Coyotes. She said that Dr Mike, Gil, and Gerry would have coyotes but that they did not have many in her area. It was also no surprise that she feels differently about the Wolf than we do in the States and works to protect them as they feel Wolves are an important part of their ecosystem.

The reason this topic came up I was curious as to what she used to hunt Wolves ( or coyotes if they had any ) and she said whatever rifle she was using that day, most likely the 348 or 7mmwsm.

With brings me to my question to you fellows

Do you build, buy, carry and hunt with rifles, specifically to hunt coyotes, and if so what is your rifle and caliber of choice ?

I am still in Arizona, where they do have coyotes, and I might pick up a "coyote" rifle for my grandson before I head back to Europe.

 

[5shot]

For me, it's a 223 and a 12 GA. Sometimes a 25-06 if the range is long (since I don't have a 22-250 or similar). The 223 is cheap to shoot, easy on barrels and gets the job done.

If I was hunting big game and the opportunity arose, I'd use whatever I had.

 

[sask boy]

April, here in southern Saskatchewan we have a huge Coyote population and it is turning into a big winter sport as we are now seeing more & more Coyote derbies :wink: every winter.
I personal have a 204 cal that I use for varmints and it is 3500 to 4000 fps rifle, my 2 boys both shoot 223s now we don't specifically going hunting for them like so many are doing now but we carry a varmint rifle in the truck while hunting Pheasant and also we going to the lake ice fishing.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DrMike]

I do little dedicated wolf and/or coyote hunting. Shooting these is more a matter of being opportunistic. If I was seriously focused on coyote, a fast .22 or a light 6mm would likely be my choice. I've threatened to build a 22-250, but something always got in my way (generally another rifle) for coyote. I have also thought of building a 6mm Remington as a dedicated coyote rifle. Again, something has always gotten in my way. Still, that's the direction I'd lean if I was building a dedicated firearm. I wouldn't feel limited in any way with a 223, a 222 Rem or a 222 Rem Magnum. I came dangerously close to building a 220 Swift at one point; again, another project got in the way.

 

[Blkram]

Like DrMike, coyotes and wolves are a target of opportunity while out hunting other game. I do not yet have a rifle dedicated solely for this purpose, but the 110 gr AB or TTSX in the 270 Wby is going to be a wolf load for out to 500 yards in a Browning B-78.

To date I have taken wolves with my 375 Win and 300 WSM. Coyotes have been taken with the 270 Wby, 243, 6.5x55 and 270 Win. I didn't get a chance with the 204 while I briefly had it. (Erratic accuracy performance from range session to session).

When out hunting Lynx, coyotes and wolves in Jan/Feb, I usually pack my 17 Mach II and either the 260 Rem, 270 (in any variant) or the 280 Rem. This year the 6.5 Creedmoor will be going along.

I do plan on building a 225 Win on a Winchester or Browning High Wall when I can find a decently priced donor rifle. And I still want to build a 221 Fireball. Both of these will be pressed into predator control.

 

[69gto]

I don't really hunt coyotes but since we built our house in 2008 my wife a I have shot 34 in the back yard. All but 2 were with a Weatherby .17 HRM at ranges between 20 an 40 yards. It is very deadly at these ranges, bullet is 17g Hornady v max.

 

[Europe]

Gentlemen, thank you all !

Dr Mike, Gil, you are going to love this lol I just made a command decision. I have decided to get him a Blaser with two extra barrels. The Standard group offer approx 14 different calibers, but I have narrowed it down to 7 I have an interest in for him.

22-250, 243, 6.5 Creed, 6.5 Swede, 270, 30-06, 9.3 x 62

I am thinking the three could be 243, 30-06, 9.3 x 62 from the above group of seven, since I have a feeling he will never go on a dedicated coyote hunt the 243 might be better than the 22-250, but then again he might want to hunt pasture poodles, but what the heck do I know, I am old and my choices are probably also out of step with the times

Anyone here want to give me their thoughts on what three they would choose from the seven I have listed

 

[DrMike]

Looks like a great selection to me. He has it all covered from mice to moose. I'm certain he'll be pleased with that firing system, April.

 

[Blkram]

Wow, that's a great decisions!

Although for purely nostalgic reasons, I would pair the 9.3x62 with the 6.5x55. While I am not the biggest 30-06 fan, it it a sensible choice between the other two calibers.

This will give bullet selections from to 85 to 300 grains, covering all medium to large and even dangerous game.

Yes, the 243 can go down to 55 grain bullets for varmints, but if he does want to get into gophers and smaller predators, it is as simple as adding a fourth barrel in a 224 caliber.

 

[Europe]

Dr Mike thank you
Gil. I LOVE the Swede, one off my all time favorite calibers, but I worry that it is of "my generation" and not his, as I see everybody, like Dewey and Scotty, whom I respect talk about the 6.5 Creedmore, not the Swede., Also, great idea about the fourth barrel however it would have to be the 22-250, as they dont offer the 224 in the "Standard" group They do offer the 308 and 270, as an alternate to the 30-06, but between those three ( 06, 308, 270 ) I like the 30-06 the best, I think.

Someone just sent me a message and said Fotis hates the Blaser rifle, so if it possible and you happen to see this thread what is it sir that you dont like about the Blaser R 8, it would be good to know before I go forward thank you

 

[DrMike]

April, the 22-250 shoots a .224 caliber bullet. So, the 22-250 would be just ideal for a round shooting a smaller bullet. I do like the 6.5 Creedmoor. All I've shot deliver fine accuracy. It may just supplant a few other .264 caliber rounds.

 

[Africa Huntress]

I agree with Gil---Great Decision!!!

There is certainly nothing wrong with the group you have chosen and within the ST group, it is probably as good as it gets. Like Gil I would go with the 6.5 x 55 and 9.3 x 62 and again like Gil the 30-06 does fit nicely in between those two. Great trio---but as you like to say, the proverbial BUT (-: My parents bought my sisters husband the following trio and it seems to be working out very well for him. also I know you like the 257 Weatherby---so---

Maybe think about the MA group instead of the ST group and get the 257 Weatherby, 300 Weatherby, and 375 H & H. It will give him a bit more of everything at every level and if he gets to Africa the H& H will be legal in all countries ( as the 9.3 x 62 is not--64 is but 62 is not )

Also I strongly suggest you think about getting him the "Professional" R 8 model---Nice!

Best Regards

Jamila

ps dont forget you can mix and match with the change of the bolt face, along with the barrel and magazine--just a thought

 

[Anonymous]

I use a .223 on smaller furbearers, including coyotes in the winter for predator calling. In my predator calling AO, wolves are seldom seen and if they are...they're not coming to a call. I've also used a 12ga with 3" magnum 'T' shot- both do reasonably well within range limits.

I've taken a wolf as a target of opportunity/necessity during a caribou hunt with a .300WSM...it worked. Probably not recommended for that though.


On the Blaser note-
"Maybe think about the MA group instead of the ST group and get the 257 Weatherby, 300 Weatherby, and 375 H & H. It will give him a bit more of everything at every level"

^^^^ this would work!

 

[elkhunternm]

Yes,I have rifles just for calling coyotes.

1) .22-6mm. This is the primary rifle I use. Interarms Mark X re-barreled with a MRC barrel.

2) .243 Win. Winchester M 70 factory factory rifle re-stocked with a Boyds thumbhole laminated stock.

3) .223 Rem. Interarms Mark X Mini-Mauser factory rifle.

 

[Europe]

thanks De Mike, I had the 223 in my head, good catch thanks

Jamila, hodgeman, you guys certainly do make a good case for the alternative group

hodgeman, can you find a good supply of Weatherby bullets in local gun shops in Alaska ?

Dr Mike, you ALSO have the Creedmore, Now I really feel like I am stuck alone in the last century.

elkhunterm, you are prepared for coyotes, can you hunt them all year ?

Anyway thanks to all who contributed their thoughts and suggestions toward finding the right rifle for my grandson. I think I will arrange with his father for him to get the rifle and barrels for his birthday.

 

[DrMike]

April, I'd not hesitate to grab a 6.5X55 if the right rifle. Now, if Scotty would let that 6.5X55 Featherweight go... I like the Creedmoor, though I can't say it is "better" than the .260 Rem I bought my grandson. Good cartridges, all.

 

[sask boy]

April, I do enjoy the different calibers :wink: around Saskatchewan you do not see a lot of Swedes or the 9.3. I have been doing a little reading of late & I am really leaning towards the 260 Rem over a 6.5CM.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Anonymous]

hodgeman, can you find a good supply of Weatherby bullets in local gun shops in Alaska?.

Yes, the Weatherby cartridges are generally found in most road system gun shops and are well regarded by a lot of Alaskans. My local hook and bullet has a pretty good selection of the most common ones- .270WBY, .300WBY, and the .340WBY and at least a bit of some of the others. In larger cities, you'll find then all in all varieties.

For a thread drift-
During the last big ammunition crisis- I could find all kinds of unusual and oddball cartridges. I had no issue finding .300WSM and even bought a couple boxes of .32 S&W Long. However, contrary to the long stated logic, if you wanted .223, .308 or .30-06 you were just out of luck here for several months.

 

[elkhunternm]

Europe,yes coyotes can be hunted all year here in New Mexico. I start calling/hunting them around October and go through early-Febuary as it colder. I leave them alone during mating season (Febuary) and let them raise their pups during the summer. Also during the summer it is HOT! it can get up to 106* during June.

 

[salmonchaser]

In addition to my AR-15 and .22-250 I've added the 6.5 Cm. carried the 6.5 yesterday. No wind, a foot of snow -3 when I left the truck. To dang cold to sit and call. Took a 3 mile loop over the ridge for exercise, found tracks but no song dogs.
I've also taken two coyotes with a 45acp and one with a 40.


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