After a 10-minute hike into the hills, I placed my coyote decoy in the snow 20 yards from the e-call and returned up the mountain to settle in for a calling session. Bipod activated, and my favorite coyote rifle – a .243 Win. topped with a Swarovski Z5i 3.5-18x44P – tucked into my shoulder, I was laid out prone and ready to go. Starting with a few swarming crow and magpie sounds, soon switched to a jackrabbit in distress. No more than five minutes passed, and from my elevated position, I would see a coyote trotting through the aspens. Emerging from cover, he stopped and stared at the decoy, giving me ample time to lock my crosshairs on his shoulder and squeeze. He collapsed instantl,y and I immediately switched the call to a distressed coyote pup. Quickly ejecting and loading a second round, I shouldered and waited. Less than a minute later, a second coyote stood over the first, again glaring at the call and decoy. It couldn’t have been choreographed better. In the second squeeze, the second coyote fell, almost touching the first. Reloading again, another couple of minutes passed, and a third emerged and fell right beside the other two! As textbook as it gets, my trusty .243 did its thing yet again.
Much like big game hunters, coyote hunters usually have strong opinions about varmint rifles and the best ways to hunt coyotes. Wildcats aside, visit any fur-taker forum, and the calibers you’ll hear mentioned most are the venerable .22-250 Win, .223 Rem, .204 Ruger and of course the .243 Rem. Some specialists will favor a .22 Mag or .17 HMR. All great calibers are in their own right, and each shines in its own way under variable circumstances and in the right hands. It’s important when we discuss caliber choice, also to consider configuration. It’s likely fair to say that, while many coyote hunters like to shoot AR-style rifles, most tend to shoot bolt-action rifles still. A detachable box magazine is considered ideal.
Likewise, I would be remiss if I didn’t qualify by saying that ammunition technology has evolved so much today, that the cartridge you choose is equally, and perhaps even more important than the caliber you use. Allow me to shed some light on a few of the more proven options for today’s coyote hunter.
The Venerable .22-250 Remington
My Pick: 55-grain Winchester Varmint X
With a long history, the .22-250 was born from a wildcat round in 1937 and eventually standardized by Remington in 1965. I hold my Winchester M70 in .22-250 Featherweight in ultra-high regard. It’s one of my top two favorite coyote hunting rifles, and here’s why. This lightweight bolt-action, although classic in its satin-finished walnut stock, has taken more fur than I can remember. In direct contrast to the heavy barrel rifles preferred by many coyote hunters for stability, my Winchester is lightweight, making it a dream to carry when I’m covering lots of ground in deep mid-winter snow.
Why is the .22-250 still considered to the go-to caliber for coyotes? With a higher muzzle velocity, this caliber has gained a long-standing reputation for delivering hard-hitting bullets at longer distances. Reliable and consistent, if you’re waffling at all on cailiber choice, you can’t go wrong with a .22-250. It’s harder hitting and flatter shooting than a .223 or a .204 for instance. My go-to cartridge in .22-250 is a 55-grain Winchester Varmint X.
The Ever-Popular .223 Remington
My Pick: Hornady’s 53-grain V-Max Superformance
Available in a variety of configurations, from classic to AR-format, the .223 is primarily cost-effective to purchase and economical to shoot. Ammunition is readily available and inexpensive to buy. Some suggest that the .223 Remington, or its military equivalent – the 5.56 NATO – is the most popular coyote caliber. While it is widely used, I’m not sure this is the case. Why? On one hand, yes, ammo is easier to come by, and indeed it is a somewhat flat shooting caliber, but it just doesn’t perform as well as these other options. With the wide assortment of cost-effective rounds, if you go with a .223, stick with a higher end, fur-friendly cartridge like the Hornady’s 53-grain V-Max Superformance.
The Under Spoken .204 Ruger
My Pick: 32-grain Nosler Varmageddon Polymer Tip
Many suggest that, once you shoot a .204, you’ll never go back to anything else. While I’m yet to be convinced, I know several others who live by this credo. Many coyote hunters consider it to be a bit light, especially if you plan to shoot longer distances. Given the smaller size of the cartridge, at longer distances, say over 300 yards, the bullet becomes more vulnerable to wind-drift. Even still, with a 40-grain cartridge, the .204 is again very flat shooting with a muzzle velocity of over 3,500 feet per second. As a fur-taker, it’s easy on the hides with a small entrance hole and, if it makes it through the body, the exit hole is usually small as well. Delivering very little recoil, the .204 Ruger is becoming increasingly popular with varmint hunters. On the downside, .204 Ruger ammunition can be a lot more difficult to find than other, more common, coyote calibers.
Given that this is a smaller caliber, you’re best to go with a lighter, faster frangible cartridge. My favorite is a 32-grain Nosler Varmageddon Polymer Tip. It’s engineered for quick expansion inside the coyote, minimizing and, in many instances, eliminating exit damage.
Best 500 Yard Coyote Hunting Caliber: The Versatile .243 Winchester
My Pick: 58-grain Winchester Varmint X
By far, one of the best all-around calibers for coyote hunting, the biggest advantage in choosing the .243 Win is its undeniable versatility. Especially if you’re limited in the number of rifles you can buy, this caliber is also great for hunting smaller big game species like deer and antelope as well. I own two different varmint rifles chambered in .243 Win. My all-time favorite is a Thompson Center Icon and the other is a Mossberg Patriot. This caliber is hard-hitting, flat shooting and stable, compared to some of these other calibers. My longest coyote kill with my TC Icon was just over 700 yards. Both of my rifles chambered in .243 Win are remarkably accurate. For coyotes I typically shoot a fur-friendly 58-grain Winchester Varmint X round. Hit them head on in the chest or broadside through the shoulder with this bullet, and there is barely any visible damage to the hide.
Best Short Range Coyote Caliber: 17HMR or 22 Mag – Rimfire Options
My Pick for 22 Mag: 30-grain Hornady V-Max
My Pick for 17 HMR: 17-grain Hornady V-Max
A contentious topic with purists, some varmint hunters have an affinity for rimfire calibers – yes, even for coyote hunting. I’ve experimented a fair bit myself, and I have to say, I have mixed feelings. I like the smaller calibers, but if we’re honest, they come with challenges. A smaller, lighter bullet means less velocity. I’ve seen shot coyotes that leave no blood trail at all, and I’ve seen them with wounds that leave a heavy blood trail. My own go-to rimfire caliber is the .17 HMR, but really only for coyotes called in to under 100 yards. Beyond that, velocity dissipates quickly.
I know several coyote hunters who boast about the .22 Mag being an even better caliber as well – mostly because it is really fur-friendly. Its considerably bigger than the .17. As such, it can work extremely well, but again closer shots let’s say out to 200 yards are very doable. Ultimately, it’s always about hitting vitals and causing as much internal damage as possible to put the coyote down as quickly as possible.
| Caliber | Suggested Load (author) | Effective Range* | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .22-250 Rem | 55-gr Winchester Varmint X | 200–400+ yd | Flat shooting, hard-hitting, lightweight rifles available | Ammo availability cost vs common calibers |
| .243 Win | 58-gr Winchester Varmint X | 300–700+ yd | Extremely versatile, good for coyotes & small deer | Slightly heavier recoil vs .223/.204 |
| .223 Rem | 53-gr Hornady V-Max Superformance | 150–300 yd | Cheap, plentiful ammo, AR/bolt options | Less energy at long range vs .22-250/.243 |
| .204 Ruger | 32-gr Nosler Varmageddon | 150–350 yd | Very flat, minimal hide damage | Wind-sensitive, harder to source ammo |
| Rimfires
(.17 HMR/.22 Mag) |
17 HMR Options | <100–200 yd | Lightweight, frangible, inexpensive rifle options | Limited range, inconsistent terminal results |
FAQs
What is the best caliber for coyote hunting?
The .243 Winchester and .22-250 Remington are two of the most popular and effective coyote calibers thanks to their flat trajectory and knock-down power. For closer shots or smaller properties, the .223 Remington and .204 Ruger perform exceptionally well.
Which ammo is best for minimal hide damage?
Frangible or varmint-specific bullets minimize exit wounds and preserve pelts. Excellent examples include the .22-250 Rem 55-grain Winchester Varmint X and the .204 Ruger 32-grain Nosler Varmageddon Polymer Tip. These fragment on impact, reducing pelt damage.
Is the .223 Remington powerful enough for coyotes?
Yes—especially with high-quality loads like the Hornady 53-grain V-Max Superformance. It delivers flat flight paths and excellent terminal performance out to about 300 yards when shot placement is precise.
How far can I ethically shoot a coyote?
For most hunters, 200–400 yards is the effective, ethical range. Past that distance, wind drift and bullet drop make shot placement difficult unless you’ve verified your rifle’s ballistics and practiced extensively.
Can I use a rimfire caliber for coyotes?
Yes, but only at short range. The .17 HMR or .22 Mag can drop coyotes inside 100–200 yards, but lack the velocity for consistent kills beyond that. A fur-friendly option is the 22 Mag with 30-grain Hornady V-Max bullets
Does bullet weight really matter?
Absolutely. Lighter bullets (30–55 grains) shoot flatter and expand faster, while heavier bullets (60 grains +) retain more energy for long-range work. Match your bullet weight to expected distance and wind conditions.
What scope magnification is ideal for coyote hunting?
A 3–18× or 4–16× optic, such as the Swarovski Z5i 3.5-18×44P, provides flexibility for both close-range setups and long-distance shots across open terrain.
What’s the flattest-shooting coyote caliber?
The .22-250 Remington holds that title for many hunters. Its velocity and trajectory outperform most mid-calibers, making it ideal for wide-open spaces where 300-yard shots are common.
Which caliber offers the best balance of versatility?
The .243 Winchester stands out. It doubles as a light-deer rifle and a long-range varmint round, with excellent load variety like the 58-grain Winchester Varmint X.
What’s the most underrated coyote round?
The .204 Ruger. With blistering speed and minimal recoil, it’s gaining popularity among fur takers who prioritize hide preservation and precision. Its small entrance and exit holes mean less sewing later.
Conclusion: The Right Rifle and Round for Every Coyote Hunter
When the snow settles and the calls echo across the hills, the caliber in your chamber matters. My .243 Winchester has proven its worth time and again — versatile, accurate, and powerful enough to anchor coyotes past 600 yards. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only answer. The .22-250 Remington remains a legend among long-range fur takers, while the .223 Remington continues to offer affordable precision for those who shoot often. The .204 Ruger brings incredible speed and hide-saving performance, and even rimfires like the .17 HMR and .22 Mag have their place inside 100 yards for tight setups.
Whatever you carry, the key is pairing your rifle with the right load. Rounds like the 55-grain Winchester Varmint X, Hornady 53-grain V-Max Superformance, 32-grain Nosler Varmageddon Polymer Tip, 58-grain Winchester Varmint X, and 30-grain Hornady V-Max deliver the precision and terminal energy today’s coyote hunters demand.
In the end, success comes down to confidence in your equipment and a commitment to ethical, accurate shooting. Know your rifle, test your loads, and understand your effective range before you ever set an e-caller in the snow. Do that, and when the next coyote steps out of the aspens, you’ll be ready to make the shot count — clean, quick, and unforgettable.
