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I am considering the purchase of a new rifle for some coyote extermination. I deer hunt with a .270 A-bolt, but wanted a auto for some rapid repeat fire...

I was thinking .243 or .308, but did not know if that would have the knock down needed to lay one flat.

Any suggestions or experiences...?

a .308 is a bit overkill for yotes I would think. I shoot one deer hunting and use a 165 grain bullet. I would go with a .223, .243, or something smaller.

the cheapest way would be to soak some hot dogs in antifreeze...

If your looking for rapid fire you better look for something with cheap ammo.. I would say the 223.. 308 is a bit much for a yote..

my experience.... a 22-250 is a nasty yote killer....as is the 257 Roberts.... I've only hunted them with bolt actions or single shots, I've never felt like I really needed a quick follow up.... but then I am not a dedicated predator hunter by any means (just went when friends invited me)....

if I was gonna get an auto I'd look at an AR-15 heavy barrel in 223.... a bigger caliber, with heavier recoil, will slow your follow up and coyotes tend to disappear after the first shot....

just my 2 cents...and that's overcharging

I'm not big on semi-auto rifles myself. I prefer bolt guns. I shoot a savage model 10fp chambered in .223 for coyotes. Most that I've shot have been DRT (dead right there). .223 and 22-250's are hands down the most popular varmint calibers. Around here, .223 is just fine. You start going out west where it's windy and wide open and 200-300 yard shots are more common, then a 22-250 or a .220 swift or another very fast .22 would serve you better. Even out west, most shots are 100yards or less when calling.

.243 is also a very good all around rifle. 55gr bullets are going at a very good clip. Great gun for windy conditions with heavier bullets. I considered getting a .243 over the .223 but I have a .270 that I load 90grain hollow points for that suits that purpose if I need it to.

I am not big on the higher caliber auto rifles either. More times than not coyotes appear in small groups so a fast second shot would be nice for multiple kills. The chance of bolting and killing another are slim to none with those things.

Anyone have a .223 or .243 they want to get rid of or trade for....??

hollywoodpike55 wrote:the cheapest way would be to soak some hot dogs in antifreeze...

Until you kill Aunt Margarets pet cat or dog and people start reporting dead coons, possums, and hawks.

Then it would've been cheaper to buy a dozen rifles.

hollywoodpike55 wrote:the cheapest way would be to soak some hot dogs in antifreeze...

I definately "WOULD NOT" go this route... Easy way to accidently poison unintended animals. Plus it's just a plain and simple cruel agonizing death! I've witnessed a neighbors dog die of antifreeze poisoning. It's horrible!!! If you want to kill something; kill it outright!!! Don't leave it to suffer......................... Nuff said

Wingman wrote:

hollywoodpike55 wrote:the cheapest way would be to soak some hot dogs in antifreeze...

Until you kill Aunt Margarets pet cat or dog and people start reporting dead coons, possums, and hawks.

Then it would've been cheaper to buy a dozen rifles.

I second that. When I get an animal in my scope, I decide whether it lives or dies. Poison isn't quite as prudent. There is no way to selectively kill with poison.

Actually, your least expensive way to go is keep your .270, and just go with a smaller light-weight bullet for it. You should be able to find plenty of 65 or 85 grain ballistic tips for it.
They will scream for you, going down range!!!

In the last week I've laid the hammer down on four on my farm with a .223 barrel for my Encore. Only one ran off and he went about 40 yds before croakin'. I debated on a .243, but felt for that big of bullet I could pretty much do a light load in my 30-.06 and do the same thing.

Ultimatley for me the.223 was my choice due to the cheapness of bullets.

dukluk wrote:Actually, your least expensive way to go is keep your .270, and just go with a smaller light-weight bullet for it. You should be able to find plenty of 65 or 85 grain ballistic tips for it.
They will scream for you, going down range!!!

Smallest bullets available in .277 diameter are 90gr. Speer TNT's and Sierra Varminters (that's what I shoot). I'm loading them at about 3300fps (not extremely fast, but I shoot 1/2" groups with that load). I could make them go about 3500fps pretty easily, but there is no point.

I would look at a 204

gotta go with bolt 22-05...if you want auto try a mini 13 in 223...those ranch guns can do a number