.223 or .17??

[magnatecsteve]

Hey guys, Im not all that familiar with predator hunting, but I have to do something about the coyote population where I hunt. I constantly see coyotes and the turkey have started to abandon the area in the spring. Not to mention the drastic drop in rabbit, quail, and pheasant population on the property. I'm looking at Savage .223 or.17. I have heard both do fine, my concern is that the .17 could be affected easier by wind, and a small amount of grass could cause the bullet to just split. What do you guys think would be sufficient? I want something that would also be fun and cheap to do long range paper punching too. Thanks for any pointers.

[wtnhunt]

I would go with the .223 if it were me.

[toddyboman]

223 without a doubt!

[sureshot]

I shoot the .223 they are good out to 300 yards, have shot a few farther but out to 300 they are most likly not to go any farther, the .17 rimfire is not a coyote gun buddy has one and great little fox gun out to 75 yards or so but not enough for a coyote unless lots of tracking or head shots within 50 -75 yards, the .17 centerfire is a different anser though, good flat shooting gun but shells harder to find and like you said easilly deflected or moved by the wind, there are a few different centerfires out there now and I expect they are good to 300 also but like I said small bullet lots of movement.I will stick with my .223. good luck

[Shaun_300]

I'd definitely stick with a .22 caliber rifle. The .17 Remington (centerfire) is a nice round but like Bret said, the 20 and 25gr bullets will deflect with a fart. Haven't had any experience with the .223 but haven't heard a bad thing about them. Dad has a .22-250 and I have a .220 Swift for varmint hunting, both are awesome calibers. The .22-250 has the upper hand on a .223 and the .220 Swift has the upper hand on the .22-250. Unless you reload I wouldn't get a Swift if you plan on shooting lots. Shells up here are $40+/box. It is the king kong of varmint rifles though. Launches 52gr bullets over 4000fps.

[jesse8953]

223

[magnatecsteve]

Thanks for all the input guys! Gonna definately stick with the .223, most likely Savage.

[LETMGROW]

Given your choices the .223 would be the better one.

My varmit set up is a Savage 22-250.

I have a .17 HMR. It is fun and reasonable to shoot, have killed chucks at 93 yards from a good rest but much more might be stretching it.

Target shooting the .17 in a crosswind shows a drift much more than the .22-250. I like to play around like this just to see what affects what.

Lynn

[magnatecsteve]

Thanks guys. I ended up getting a Savage Edge in .223 Rem. Got it at Dicks Sporting Goods, camo synthetic stock, floating barrel, free cheap 3x9x40 scope. Probably going to upgrade the scope. Im satisfied for $380.

[dbHunterNY]

good choice. ammo will be much easier to find.

[maddhunter]

My personal favorite is the .243, as fast as a 22-250 and can shoot a 95 or 100grn also for deer. But with the choices you have given, definately stick with the .223. And the Savage is an excellent choice. You may even take a good look at the Thompson Center Venture, it's a little cheapper and a little better gun. And the TC is fully camo. And be sure to get enough scope for long shots, atleast an 18 power in 50mm.

Good Hunting !!!!!!!!