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Video best caliber for fox and coyote

As you scan firearm companies online and peruse the predator selections you’ll quickly see that a few calibers have become fan favorites. Even new rifle companies, like Bergara USA, have a preference for popular calibers, even in their custom-built-rifle collection. Wildcat bootleggers may brew more and more satisfying recipes, but the old reliable calibers of yesteryear still hold merit.

Here are the pros and cons of some that may be your favorite and some that might spark an argument.

.17 HMR, .17 Hornet, .17 WSM …

It’s a speedy caliber variety with the zip to tip over pint-sized varmints and predators in the fox-sized, and below category. The .17 is fun to shoot, but unfortunately the fun stops there. It lacks the punch to consistently be reliable for a true predator pounder.

.204 Ruger

Once a newcomer, the .204 Ruger is now mainstream. It has it all; speed, trajectory and ample offerings for true varmint and predator hunters. This small powerhouse will handle chores up to the coyote, but don’t pack it on your next wolf hunt. There is one downside to the .204, which unlike most of the calibers to follow, plagues it. Coyotes can run off after being hit with a projectile fired from the .204. It’s not an every-time occurrence, but enough to not give it a five-star rating.

.223 Remington

With more platform options than a 2015 Lincoln Navigator, you can find loads and bullets to handle any chore, paper or hide. Hornady alone has more than a dozen different options for ammunition shopping. I see only bonuses here. Lots of choices, ammunition available everywhere and affordability due to its popularity … it’s a top contender for most predator pursuits.

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.22-250 Remington

Up until the AR explosion, I’d bet more coyote hunters teamed up with the .22-250 rifle and ammo combo than any other caliber. Why not? It’s speedy at 3,600 fps and beyond. Trajectory is great out to 300 yards and a seasoned shooter can experience perfection to 400 yards and beyond. Lastly, it drops coyotes dead in their tracks and that means no tracking. It’s the king!

.220 Swift

The .220 is another popular load that is waning lately with the popularity of the .223. The .220 also is speedy at more than 3,500 fps and pushes a 55-grain projectile with a higher ballistic coefficient than a lighter bullet. With super downrange energy and less drift, it’s definitely a 300-yard and beyond caliber. Is the .220 Swift getting a raw deal?

.243 Winchester

A bit on the heavy side for fox and varmint targets, the .243 is ideal for coyotes, especially big northern dogs. It will also topple a wolf. This caliber is perfect for youth hunters as a dual-purpose firearm, good for coyotes and deer. Load it with a strong bullet for coyotes and bump it up to a 100-grain version for deer. Save some money from here on up and use this, and the following calibers for dual-purpose hunting.

6.5 Creedmoor

The new kid on the block, the 6.5 Creedmoor has been accepted readily by law enforcement officers as a credible long-range alternative to traditional calibers. It can speed a 120- to 140-grain bullet along with a high ballistic coefficient and that has earned it respect by 1,000-yard competition shooters. The Creedmoor also doubles for predators and big game with proper ammunition selection.

See also  6.5mm Creedmoor for Grizzly Or Brown Bear Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Grizzly Or Brown Bear Hunt Hunting Calibers 04 Apr, 2020 Posted By: Foundry Outdoors Is the 6.5mm Creedmoor a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for grizzly or brown bear hunting? The accurate answer is “it depends”. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the 6.5mm Creedmoor is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest grizzly or brown bear. As with anything, the devil is in the details. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the grizzly or brown bear, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the grizzly or brown bear in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots – the list goes on. [Click Here to Shop 6.5mm Creedmoor Ammo]What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a grizzly or brown bear in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the 6.5mm Creedmoor within the ideal range of suitable calibers for grizzly or brown bear hunting?” our answer is: No, the 6.5mm Creedmoor is UNDERKILL for grizzly or brown bear hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Assumption Value Caliber 6.5mm Creedmoor Animal Species Grizzly Or Brown Bear Muzzle Energy 2300 foot-pounds Animal Weight 595 lbs Shot Distance 200 yardsWhat is the average muzzle energy for a 6.5mm Creedmoor? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a 6.5mm Creedmoor round is approximately 2300 foot-pounds. What is the average weight of an adult male grizzly or brown bear? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male grizzly or brown bear is approximately 595 lbs. [Click Here to Shop 6.5mm Creedmoor Ammo]What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in grizzly or brown bear hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for grizzly or brown bear to be approximately 200 yards. What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the 6.5mm Creedmoor. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the grizzly or brown bear being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet.Various calibersA common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether 6.5mm Creedmoor is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest grizzly or brown bear - and to this question, the response again is no, the 6.5mm Creedmoor is UNDERKILL for grizzly or brown bear hunting. [Click Here to Shop 6.5mm Creedmoor Ammo]This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting grizzly or brown bear to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option.Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. 2 Comments Brian Mumford - Jun 09, 2021If the Alaska Department of Fish & Game wasn’t enough to convince you that .308 Winchester and similar calibers ARE enough to take bears, and if the Canadian Arctic Rangers weren’t enough to convince you by selecting a Tikka rifle chambered in .308 for their polar bear rifle back in 2014, the latter (company) now has the same orange “Arctic” rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor (note: these are only two calibers offered in Tikka’s “Arctic” line of rifles). Yes, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester are both acceptable bear rounds. That may not be great for rifle and ammunition sales, but these people have a lot invested by way of protecting the community and manufacturing capable firearms for those who have the need. Polar bears in particular are much larger on average than any brown bear species, so if it’s good enough for a 1,500+ lb. polar bear, it’s good enough for brown bear. John P. Morgan Jr. - Jul 26, 2022In the right hands, under optimal conditions, I will give the 6.5 mm Creedmore a seven (7). Why a seven ? Well it wasn’t due to a lack of penetration! I gave it that number as a cautionary hint. (Hell, If I was toting a .375 H&H, I’d be very concerned !! Leave a commentComments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment

.308 Winchester

Sure the .308 is a bit on the overkill side, but with the price of coyote hides still not making news headlines it can serve as a great long-range caliber and a close-range clobber caliber. You can readily find .308 ammunition and with a controlled expansion bullet fur damage can be reduced. Plus you can hunt deer and elk with it making it an all-purpose caliber. There are lots of positives in this caliber selection that handles it all.

There you have it, a lineup of some of predator hunting’s best calibers. What do you think? Is your favorite missing? Let us know in the comment section below.

Related article: Coyote Hunting Tips

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Ethan Smith
Ethan Smith is a seasoned marine veteran, professional blogger, witty and edgy writer, and an avid hunter. He spent a great deal of his childhood years around the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. Watching active hunters practise their craft initiated him into the world of hunting and rubrics of outdoor life. He also honed his writing skills by sharing his outdoor experiences with fellow schoolmates through their high school’s magazine. Further along the way, the US Marine Corps got wind of his excellent combination of skills and sought to put them into good use by employing him as a combat correspondent. He now shares his income from this prestigious job with his wife and one kid. Read more >>

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