Two callers were on stand near Morenci, Arizona, an area with plenty of coyotes. It was the third stand of the day when something unusual happened. Instead of a coyote coming to the call, it was a mountain lion. They killed it (they had the tag, as most Arizona callers have) but were both using rifles chambered in 223 Reminton. It took eight shots. Eight tense shots.

I, too, use the 223 for coyotes along with a 220 Swift. Over the decades o calling there have been five instances where lion tracks were found over our footprints when we came to the stand. I don't know how many others came to the call undetected. We never saw them. Lion attacks are almost unheard of for varmint callers, I realize, but I usually have a big bore handgun along if the occassion requires. When calling for lions specifically, I like the 257 AI, the 25-06 or the 243 Win for insurance purposes.

I really like the 243 for coyote hunting. But, like you Handloader, I pack a side arm for the unexpected.
Keep it coming...

I generally use my 22-250 but have used my 25-06 at times.

This is something we are starting to take VERY seriously here in the Loess Hills. In Iowa there are many cougars around the state now and the area I am in has a few running around. I am of the opinion that a wise predator hunter should have a side-arm of decent bullet weight. I usually like to take along my G29 in 10mm as it is so light to carry and packs a big wallop with the 180gr XTP's I load in it. But then again the 7 1/2" .45 Colt with the hard cast 245gr bullets I load for it packs a big wallop also. No matter the case when I am out in the woods I take along a dog - barks here, bites way over there! As far as what is good for yoddie dogs, pretty much any rifle/cartridge is good as long as you keep it in .30 cal or less, the larger ones just tear up the hide too bad from my limited experiences. I am a .25 cal guy myself and will always at least one or two around. Namely a family owned .250-3000 Sav. in a 99D and the .25-06' Rem in a M77R. But I do also have a .25 ACP ha ha. But that is mostly for dirt clod work or when I go fishing at night and want a little more bullet than the .22LR.

if the 223 you were carrying were savages- a qucik change of the boltface and a re-chamber to 22 BR and shoot 50-55 V-max on the yotes but have some 75 A-max in case something else larger comes in.

A S&W 610 whell gun in 10mm on the hip and a couple of moon clips might be a good idea too

maybe a 627 V-comp and Met sillouette 180 grain loads in all eight cyclinders

later
P

What caliber to use for coyote? I prefer most 22 center fire cartriges. I currently use the .223 WSSM. I shoot a 55 gr. Sierra Gameking at a slower than advertized speed for this rifle. It simply grouped better at 3850 fps. If I absolutely had to choose one, it would be the 22-250. It all depends on what you expect to encounter while ringer the dinner bell. If you think you will encounter bear or mountain lion, it's best to pack a side arm. I aways pack a Ruger P85 in 9mm with a full clip. You just never know what may show. The two callers were near Morenci Arizona, I also hunt that area, and I have seen many lion tracks, although I have never had an encounter. For hunting mountain lion, you can't beat the .243 in 80 or 85 gr. For bear I might recommend the .25 caliber family. Calling a lion in, is fairly rare, and specificly targeting them while calling is nearly unheard of. I think it's best just to stick with the .22's and keep something on my hip........just in case.

I've done some coyote hunting and have taken a few with everything from 7mm rem mag down to 22LR using CCI Stingers. I have a 250-3000 savage as well and would think that it would make a great coyote gun. I've taken deer with it and I wouldn't hesitate firing at a cat with it. 100 grain bullet going out around 2900 fps would make short work of a cat. Bears on the other hand are a different story, something with a 180 grain bullet or up. I've seen Black bears take one heck of a lot of punishment before going down and Griz even more, cat's, not so much.

Elmer Keith allowed as how Jack O'Connor's .270 was a"damned adequate" Coyote rifle.

And it is, but the smaller .22s, the Hornet and K Hornet, the .222 and .223s are outstanding, and for medium game and predator versatility, the .243, 6mm and 257 Roberts are also all that's necessary.

The .22 LR, .22 mag, and the 17s can also do the job, given shorter ranges and proper bullet placement, but are not ideal.
Actually, just about any cartridge will do. According to my brother in law, who makes rifles for them, there are a bunch of retired guys in AZ, who have set ups in the back of their trucks, with umbrellas, coolers,and recliners(?)! And they spend their spare time, not to mention $ potting 'Yotes with their .50 BMG rifles.

sniper: retired guys in Sun Ciity, AZ have had it with coyotes, but, alas, cannot shoot them in the subdivisions where their pets are favorite food. So, it has been reported, they use their deep sea outfits with 50lb line and huge trebble hooks baited with meat, meanwhile playing cards and smoking cigars on the patio. Coyotes take bait, get hooked and reeled in whereupon they are promptly clubbed with bats into oblivion.

Two people I know have attested to this, but, they also are known to like Glocks and they have been known to attest to UFO abductions and interpersonal inspections by alien females as well, hoping to get their opportunity.

Still, I wonder if I might not try it next calling trip instead of merely using a rifle? Hmmmm Got video?

[quote="Handloader"]So, it has been reported, they use their deep sea outfits with 50lb line and huge trebble hooks baited with meat, meanwhile playing cards and smoking cigars on the patio. Coyotes take bait, get hooked and reeled in whereupon they are promptly clubbed with bats into oblivion.

Two people I know have attested to this, but, they also are known to like Glocks and they have been known to attest to UFO abductions ...quote]

Pillars of the community, no doubt!

All kidding aside, a baseball bat's length is 'WAAAAY too close to a pissed off coyote, IMHO. Them things has been known to bite!

Handloader, what caliber baseball bat did they use?
Keep it coming...

My dad tells a story about when he was running a trap line after school for muskrats and small bur bearers on the Iowa side of the Mo. River on what we call the "bottoms" he had caught a coyote one day in one of the bigger traps he had set and this thing REALLY wanted to fight, imagine that! So he said he got himself as big a piece of wood he could find and proceeded to wade into the brush to the trap and whap this thng over the head, and kill it as get it out of the trap because according ot him coyotes would tear up the size of traps he had set. Well he did and in the process as I recall he got whapped a few times by the "dog" after that he always took a .22 with him on checks.

The dogs have moved into the eastern part of North Carolina, Carteret County" with a vengeance and I think I am going with the .243. The NC game commission squashed the idea of night hunting...the coon hunters wanted to be the only one using a light. I guess that will leave us to Loooong range shots or use a good gilley suit for Mr. Smarty.

As far as Mr. Bear is concerned nothing rings his bell better than a 12 gauge slug.

bubble-out-of-plumb wrote:

I think I am going with the .243.

Good Choice!

I've been using my 6.5 x 55 Swede, but the last two times it's been the .204 Ruger. Sometimes I carry a 9 mm...maybe I'll begin bringing it all the time.