Coyote Hunting Calibers

.17 HMR

While the .17 HMR represents the smallest and lightest cartridge on this list, it is still ultimately suitable for coyote hunting. The cartridge is capable of high velocities and maintaining flat shooting trajectories. Even with lightweight projectiles weighing 17 grains to 20 grains, the cartridge is still capable of ethically dispatching coyotes. The effectiveness of the cartridge is mainly owed to the high velocities of the cartridge. VMAX loadings are particularly effective at dispatching coyotes due to their ability to achieve adequate levels of penetration and reliable expansion within the target.

.22 Magnum

Another rimfire caliber, the .22 Magnum is also suitable for coyote hunting. When utilized in a rifle, the cartridge is capable of achieving high velocities and a flat shooting trajectory. While velocities may be lower than those associated with .17 HMR, .22 Magnum projectiles are larger and heavier. This greater projectile mass equates to a harder impact on target, especially when combined with high velocities. Round nose and hollow point projectiles alike will be effective at dispatching coyotes. Additionally, lighter offerings with VMAX projectiles are also well-suited for ethically taking coyotes.

.22-250 Remington

The first centerfire cartridge on this list is the .22-250 Remington. Even in the wildcat cartridge phase of the round’s existence, the .22-250 Remington has been utilized for varmint and predator hunting applications. Notably, the .22-250 Remington is one of the fastest production rifle cartridges on the market, possessing high velocities and flat trajectories well-suited for coyote hunting. The high velocities of .22-250 Remington loadings are capable facilitating high levels of energy transfer and imparting hydrostatic shock, making it an efficient hunting round.

.223 Remington

Perhaps one of the most common centerfire cartridges in the United States, the .223 Remington is well-suited to coyote hunting. Factors such as light recoil, high velocities, and flat trajectories are beneficial when hunting coyote. The cartridge benefits from a wide range of loadings suitable for dispatching coyote. Loadings featuring V-MAX or hollow point projectiles are particularly effective for this use case. Loadings with grain weights ranging from 40 grains to about 75 grains will be appropriate for dispatching coyote.

5.56x45mm NATO

Like the .223 Remington, the 5.56x45mm NATO is another one of the most common and widely used centerfire cartridges in the United States. This cartridge also exhibits desirable traits such as light recoil, flat trajectories, and high velocities, making it suitable for hunting coyote. While there are many different 5.56x45mm NATO loadings available on the market, there are fewer hunting-oriented loadings than one would encounter with .223 Remington ammo. That being said, the cartridge is readily available and standard loadings are suitable for coyote hunting.

.243 Winchester

The .243 Winchester is also an appropriate cartridge for coyote hunting applications. As a commonly employed round, many gun owners have access to firearms and ammunition of this type, optimizing it for this use case. As far as the merits of the round itself go, the cartridge features light recoil, high velocities, and flat trajectories. The cartridge is also a full-sized short action rifle cartridge, unlike the intermediate .223 Remington, meaning that it is hitting with more authority and travels much faster. Simply put, the round can be employed effectively against coyotes and a wide range of other game.

6.5 Creedmoor

The 6.5 Creedmoor is a cartridge which is becoming more mainstream and widely used as time progresses. Since the cartridge’s introduction, many hunters have employed it in the field due to its high accuracy potential, high velocities, light recoil, and performance at extended ranges. These traits paired with the cartridge’s ability to reliably and effectively dispatch larger game makes it well-suited for taking coyote. Additionally, the cartridge is well-supported by a wide range of loadings which are suitable for hunting purposes.

.308 Winchester

The .308 Winchester represents the first and only .30 caliber cartridge on this list. While coyotes can easily be dispatched with smaller calibers than the .308 Winchester, it is still worth mentioning due to its prevalence among shooters. The cartridge is often employed by shooters as a general-purpose hunting round as it is capable of taking a wide range of game like deer, hogs, and importantly, coyote. When hunting coyotes with .308 Winchester, one should utilize lighter loadings which are capable of higher velocities. By doing so, this versatile cartridge will travel fast and hit hard, easily capable of ethically dispatching coyote.

12 Gauge and 20 Gauge

Shotguns are still commonly employed on coyote hunts. In hunting groups of two, it is not an uncommon practice for one hunter to employ a rifle while the other is equipped with a shotgun. Of course, many hunters gravitate to shotguns due to the versatility one is afforded with the wide range of ammunition they can employ. One can use 12 gauge and 20 gauge shotshells to effectively dispatch coyote. One would be well-served by #4 buckshot and 00 buckshot loadings in either gauge. Both of these loadings will maintain a relatively tight pattern out to practical shotgun distances of about 25 yards or so. These loadings feature multiple pellets traveling at high velocities, increasing chances for an effective hit.