Starting a war... Ultimate coyote caliber

Always looking for the Ultimate coyote gun.
thought it was a 22-250
then a 243
then a 6WOA in a AR platform
then a 25WSSM in a AR platform
then a 243AI shooting 55gr NBT FAST
and for now its a 22-243AI shooting 80gr AMAX running 3530 MV. Run the numbers on this combo witha 200 yard zero....Have not been shooting it but a couple of months but between me and one of my partners we have killed around 40 coyotes with this cartridge and it is.....no wait.......it COULD be the Holy Grail of coyote cartridges that kill at all angles....

Now that I think about, I know guy that has a 6mm catbird that shoots 70gr NBT right at 4000 MV then there is the 243 SuperRockChucker....
I went with a 22-243AI so I could use all the 243AI brass I already have and can run it on a short action.

240 Gibbs, .240 Incinerator good God I don't think I will live long enough to try them all...lol

Yall stay after them
 
Well I'm going to answer the question the way I FEEL the OP intended.

Here is my top 4 and why:
1) .243, 55 gr SBK's at 3200 fps. Drops 'em dead, no fur damage.
2) .22-250, 50 gr V-maxs at 3600 fps same as above (very close second almost a 1A)
3) .204, 40 gr V-Maxs at 3700 fps more spins and less dropping dead, but same results as 1 and 2
4) .223, 53 gr V-maxs at 3400 fps same as 3

I don't have experience with .17's so I didn't include them. .222 and .220 swifts are honorable mentions.

I'll also say that I agree with whomever suggested the 6mm Remington. I based my answers off non-wildcat easy to get cartridges available to the non-handler loader. I think the 6mm can SLIGHTLY out perform the .243, but since it's not a common cartridge I left it out. If I ever build a rifle it may just be a 6mm AI. Anybody ever do this?
 
I'm shocked that no one has said 220 Swift. It's the king of coyote killers in my opinion. I've killed hundreds of coyotes with my Ruger #1 and new Remington VSSF II in 220 Swift. This year I dropped several over 350 yards and 3 between 400-467 yards with it.
 
I have read about 204 being too light, 6mm being ideal.. etc, but It really depends on the range you are going to shoot. Here in Michigan a 204, or 222 would be more than satisfactory since most of the shots taken are with in 100 yards or less. If I moved out west, then I would think seriously about making a 22 250, swift, or 243 class rifle my primary coyote rifle. My 222 is more than enough for around here.
 
even out west, where I live, I use smaller calibers. Killed a bunch with a 22-250 over the years. Then went down to the .204 and killed a few hundred more. Then this year went down to the .17/204 and didn't quite kill 100, but it seems to work pretty darn good for called in coyotes. BUT, I also sell fur, and if I didn't, I might be more serious about flinging bigger bullets.
I use a .243 for deer sized game. Works good. I don't feel that a coyote needs a deer sized bullet to kill it.
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My favorite is the 6x45 I built on a savage action....300+ down with that one to over 900 yards w a very accurate 65g vmax load.
Followed by my 6x6.8 & 55g bullet at 3400 fps, then my .223s with a 50g vmax or 55g SBK, 55g vmax/55g NBT.
 
Originally Posted By: Tim NeitzkeDon't see the reason to run a 55gr from a 243 @ 3200. Why so slow ?

That is what I was thinking also. Hodgdons data say they can push a 55 Gr Nos. at 4058 FPS with 44.5 Grains of H4895

Hodgdon
H4895
.243"
2.650"
40.0
3,638
35,100 CUP
44.5
4,058
49,300 CUP

24 inch tube / barrel.

For off the shelf Caliber I would have to go with the tried and true .243 Win.
 
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Tim,

Honestly it's just lack of testing. I got a new TC venture lags year and didn't have a lot of time to develop a load. The vmaxs weren't getting as tight as I wanted So I got some SBK's and the first load I tried shot around .75", which at the time was good enough. It's 45.5 gr H414.

Just tonight I started working it up for more velocity.

However the coyotes I shot with that load were dead instantly, no exits, and no splash at any angle. Don't know if it's the bullet or velocity. I'm trying to get around 3600 fps
 
Originally Posted By: songdog3200 fps is kind of slow, and I'd estimate that 40058 fps might be pushing the envelope just a tad!
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Dang that is what I get for not proof reading my reply. Yes 40058 would be really, really pushing it.
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Maybe if it was a 50 Cal. machine gun case necked down to 6mm with a 60 inch barrel. I doubt it.
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Sorry guys I screwed up. What I meant to type was 4058 FPS not 40058 FPS.DUH on me.

Dang a small mistake like that and you all are all over it.
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DAB
 
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Originally Posted By: mikegrangerI'm shocked that no one has said 220 Swift. It's the king of coyote killers in my opinion. I've killed hundreds of coyotes with my Ruger #1 and new Remington VSSF II in 220 Swift. This year I dropped several over 350 yards and 3 between 400-467 yards with it.
I mentioned the swift in my last post. I've always wanted one, but it's not as common as other vermin cartridges, likewise rifles aren't as common, so I don't one. Also in Michigan, most of the time I don't need the extra range the swift has to offer, so I stay with the triple deuce, or the 223. Yes, the business end of a swift is formidable for yotes.
 
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