Help me choose a bolt gun...

[verrlara]

I am wanting to shoot coyotes... And save the pelts. So I need something with a moderate reach. (400-500 yards) yet tiny enough that it won't blow a grapefruit size hole. I was thinking 204, 223 or .17 hmr(yes I know this is the wrong forum for the little rimfire). No semi auto or lever guns. Just bolters.

Budget 500 dollars... I like accutriggers!

GO!

[killshot44]

None of the above unless you like tracking wounded animals...
22-250 or 6BR would launch heavier bullets with better range.

[pdq_wizzard]

None of the above unless you like tracking wounded animals...
22-250 or 6BR would launch heavier bullets with better range.

223 will launch heavier bullets than a 22-250, most 22-250 have a 1:12 twist so the best you can do is 55gr or less. you can get a .223 in 1:9.

I would look at the .243 you can get ammo anywhere they are a nice soft shooting gun, good to well over 400 yards (on a song dog) using 70gr pills

[TMB 1]

This would be a better 17 or maybe get it in 222 Remington. They also make it with a thumb hole laminate stock and regular laminate stock.

[Justin21]

Get the savage hog hunter in 223 or perhaps the ruger American in 223

[milotrain]

The triple duce passed 300 yards sounds like a bad idea, why even bother when it's so close to the 223. Your budget puts you in compromise territory, and a 223 with a 1:8 twist is a good one.

[JMP]

With the Savage, just swap the barrel with the nut. You 223 bolt will be good for 6x45.

http://www.shilen.com/chambers.html

This one:
6mm X 223

[LynnJr]

220 Swift or 22-250 you want something fast and flat and to save the pelts a GameKing bullet.

[killshot44]

The .223 can't push a 55 or 62 grain to the 3,700 range a 22-250 will, and it keeps more energy as it's a bit overbore. Hits like a grenade with minimal fur damage.

Granted a .223 will work and are probably easier to find ready to ship.

[scotty99]

I think .243 is the right answer. Widely available, good ballistics, and enough bullet weight to put them down right now.


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[verrlara]

I guess I was mistake in the original post about the reach of the calibers I was interested in. If we ignore the range that I put in my OP would the listed calibers be good for coyotes?

[eric n]

They all will work. I would put a 22 250 on the top of the list and take off the 17hmr if it were me. Stay off the shoulder bone and you will be fine

[LynnJr]

I guess I was mistake in the original post about the reach of the calibers I was interested in. If we ignore the range that I put in my OP would the listed calibers be good for coyotes?

The 500 yard range is huge so if you remove it the 20 caliber fits perfectly.
I would have listed the 6BR but I thought you put a price limit in your post as well

[RNE228]

I would do 22-250 in a Varmint weight action.

FWIW, I have a family member that has hunted coyote, and prairie dogs for decades. He loads 55grfmj and uses a Mini-14 from that he got in the 1970's for that purpose. The AR guys scream about the Mini not being accurate, but that old rifle has shot a lot of coyotes for pelts. I had opportunity to shoot some prairie dogs with it in Wyoming. While not as accurate as a varmint weight bolt gun, it sure works great.

[Divernhunter]

The 204/223/22-250 or a 6mm(243/6mmRem) all would work fine at proper ranges. The 6mm/243 would be better at long range(400+).
Buy what YOU like and what fits you and your budget. You will want to put good optics on it so that rules out the cheap junk scopes.