is a .222 enough for coyote???

[Big joe]

You guys have convinced me to check out the .222. Is this cartridge enough for a big coyote at say 300 Yards???

[Swift]

The 222 is not really a 300yd round. If yer lookin to anchor one at that range I be lookin at the 22-250 or 220 Swift.

[HPBTMTCH]

Joe, swift is right, .222 is not quite up to 300 yards, it will kill one if the hit is in the right place, but finding him might be a problem. A fast twist .223 shooting 75 grain bullets is minimum imo, and the 22-250 even better. Just got a .223 wssm, with a 1 in 10 twist barrel that shoots the hornady 75 grain HPBT match at around 3100 fps, and can`t wait to shoot one with it. If hide is no concern, then a .243 would`nt be a bad choice either.

[Jim-Iowa]

I would consider the .222 about a 250 yd cartridge. And should do well on Coyote out that far.
The other cartridges mentioned will go 300 as will the .223.
However the question is are you pelt hunting?
22-250 & 220 Swift will or can blow big holes in the pelt.
I don`t want to re-start the feud of a thread below all over again.
But am one of those who maintans that a less damaging cartridge and limiting range is a better option.
So would say go .222 and hold to 250 yds or less.
My .223 is likely to stay home and will be using a Hornet for calling this year.
We still have some fox in the area, and a cartridge that is not excessive for Coyote would tear a Fox in two.
So I chose to set limits on extreme range and a cartridge adequate but not excessive.

[Rocky Raab]

I agree with Jim.

I'd say, though, that if you own a .222, then hunt with it. The coyotes you shoot will mostly be inside 250 yards, and the few that aren't might just topple over with a good hit.

Might you lose one or two? Sure. But you might lose a few with poor hits even if you carry a 7 Mag. So hunt with the gun you have.

Blaine Eddy is a professional fur hunter here, and he loves the deuce. Hard to say more than that.

Blaine? What are your thoughts?

[jmarriott]

The 222 is good for 222 yards and will kill out longer than that but 222 is my self impossed limit.

I use 40 grain bullets and have to search a bit to find them over the 50 grain pills. they seem to cause little fur damage and seem to work better in my rifle.

I have many a hit and drop shots and a few that run 30 yards but under 222 yards if i can get a good shot off on my part it is down.

My hunting partner used to use a shotgun with #2's and BB's. Now he has a new savage 22-250 He said it was for the ones that hung up out of range. I think he needs to sit still and wait. In Indiana a .222 is really the only centerfire rifle you need as the houses/farms/macdonalds are closing in.

I had a .17 rem but i could not seem to get it to work for me. I was getting some good groups, some bad groups and a lot of stringing horizontal. I could not get it to shoot well in a crosswind and i had to clean it after every 10 shots well with sweets. Sold the rem 700 .17 and picked up a rem 700 mint 222 with a simmons scope 3- 9 for about $225 outside a local gun shop. Problem solved as i get 100 yards groups you can cover with a nickel for 5. I clean it after almost every outing but i can shoot 250 rounds between cleanings with no percived lost in accuracy

Shoot the .222 almost all of my kills are less than 100 yards and often 50 yards max. If you can hunt from a truck in your state or have alot of really open areas then you might want to look at the .25 WSSM as it seems like it's going to be a good combo coyote/deer/pronghorn gun for long shots. Once again it is based on the short fat case like the .222.

[Evan03]

that is very good advice rocky gives.

thats kinda like deer hunting and elk hunting at the same time, but the rifle you have in hand is 25.06 when elk walks out, if you the rifle your not gona let that bull walk.



id be confident shooting yotes with 222.

[Kirkned]

I wouldn't shoot much past 250 yards with the triple duce. The question is why would you want to? I have one that I bought second hand from Rocky when he worked down on 25th years ago an old Remington 700. It has accounted for a few yotes, foxes, jack rabbits and more P-dawgs than I can remember. I have taken several yotes past 300 yards, but I would not reccomend it for that use. Stick to inside 250 yards and you'll be happy. The triple duce is a great round, it will do the job if you do yours.

[Catfish]

My wife has a cousin that has a tirple duse that he bought in 1960. Since then he carried it in his pick-up. Acouple of years ago he told me that it just wasn`t accurate any more. After over 30 years in his pick-up and as many rounds as he had fired through it I thought it might be possible, but have never heard of anyone shooting out a .222. I brought the gun home and run some Sweets 7.62 through the barrel, 50 patches of it to be exact, and the last patch was as blue as the first. Since I was tired of cleaning his gun I took it out and fire test firsed it. 1/2 moa., I figured that was good enought for him, brought it back in and put a coat of finish on the stock and took it back to him. He was happy as a pig in you know what. It`s a real good round and pretty cheap to load. I think that there are still a few bench rest records held by the .222 and they quit useing that round years ago.

[Cal Sibley]

I've always been a big fan of the .222Rem. and think it's the closest thing to a perfect caliber we're ever had. However, you have to respect its limitations. If I think I'll have to reach out beyond 200yds. I switch to a .222Rem. Mag. or even my .22-250.
Having these calibers that'll reach out further than the .222Rem. hasn't diminished my feelings for the venerable triple deuce in any way. It's still a winner. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[royinidaho]

Hmmmmmm,

The 222 will reach out and touch and do well at the 300 yd mark...if you can shoot well enough to connect properly.

W'/the 222 there is no good reason to not get enough practice. There are two cartridges that I have never heard of the barrel being shot out. 1 is the 222 the other is the 375 H&H.

I've recently discovered the 40 gr Vmax and reliant's 10X powder. Turned my 50s vintage 222 into a new rifle, yea a Hornet.

[Andy L]

222 is a great 200 yard coyote gun. 250, with a good hit, will be fine as well.

Its a great calling gun. Far be it for me to put words in Blaines mouth, but I do know him well enough to know that hes a caller and most of his shots are well inside those ranges. I dont think Blaine uses the 222 much anymore and when he did, it wasnt his long range go to gun.

A coyote at 200 yards is a target for good shots. Not much room for error there. Most likely, your not going to be killing many past that range anyway. Your 222 should work just fine.

Andy

[Blaine Eddy]

Howdy Fellers
I do indeed have much respect for the .222Rem, it is a finely accurate little round and when set up right is very capable out to 250 or a bit beyond as long as shot placement is adhered to. The inherent accuracy of the .222 goes a long way in assuring precise shot placement and its reduced velocity as compared to the swifts and the 250's makes it much easier on the Fur. But as in ANY caliber ALL have their limitations and are ideal for given or specific applications.


Far and away my favorite caliber for Coyote Hunting is the .17cal. starting with the .17Rem. Of course first and foremost i am a Fur hunter and my first consideration is the level of damage sustained from the weapon being used, beyond 300-350 i use the 22-284 with the 65gr Berger match, i also use this cartridge for nighthunting application whereas shot placement cannot be as precisely maintained nor range estimation as well.

I feel it is best to look at your specific application and needs or goals and build the Weapon around that criteria, there will always be trade offs. If you are a caller and market the Fur then hunt with the hot .17's . reduced velocity .224's would be my second choice. In the end i guess it comes down to the individuals own Rifle, Skill and confidence level.

[royinidaho]

Hi Blaine,

Been using the 222 with 50 to 55 gr benchrest bullets left over from my bench shooting days.

Discovered the 40 gr VMax shots pretty well and a bit faster than the above.

Have yet to shoot a yote or anything else with it. Can I expect anything adverse from that little bullet.

Buddy shoots a Hornet w/35 gr bullets and got ay yote through the south end @ about 60 yds. Instant kill was impressed, he was surprised.

[Blaine Eddy]

Hi Roy
I tested the 40gr V-max out of my BR one season and had to slow it way down to get the results i was looking for, it seems to be a very explosive projectile when driven at high speed but i definitely would give it a go at 222 velocities, i would be more inclined to use it over the Mef Bergers, however, at reduced speeds i would think either bullet would perform well at calling distances.

Blaine