Best 22 cal. Help me decide my next build

[K.E.C. Darkside]

22 Creedmore, 7twt, 85.5 or 90 A-tips.
But if you don't want to shoot the heavy's.
Put a 9twt on it.

 

[Roughrice]

Well, I'll give my 2 cents…

IF I were to build a long range coyote rifle… I'd have to lean on the side of 22 Creedmoor with no less than a 24" barrel.

I don't have one yet but I'll give my reasons:

1) I just put a 22 Creedmoor rifle together for a friend who takes me hunting on his South Texas ranches. And, down there, there is a big following of the 22 Creedmoor for everything they hunt from coyote to Audad and whitetail deer.
2) This rifle will absolutely pin the donkeys tail with 75-80 grain bullets @ 3350-3400 fps!!
Again, This is with a 24" barrel… so…
I'm realizing that's why you see so many 20" barrels for sale!
Again, So… what would you take to the stand?
A 55-60 grain going 3500-3600 which will implode a coyote… or a 75-80 grain that will drop it, or a 200 lb pig, or whitetail with better ballistics down range for steel and bragging rights?..

Maybe not even 2 cents worth, but that's only my thoughts since I hunt coyote down here in South Louisiana and most shots are from 75-250 yards

 

[Justice1327]

Here in WV you can only use 22cal cartridges for night hunting and I'm looking at having a savage 110 308win rebarreled to something for coyotes. I currently run a Ruger American Predator 22-250 in a Magpul Hunter fed with Hornady Superformance 50 grain VMax. In this rifle it's running 4009 fps, groups 1/2 moa, and flat hammers coyotes. But the action leaves something to be desired. It's rough, noisy, and just all around clunky. Still yet it's killed SOOOOO many coyotes.

I have in my safe a Savage FCP-SR 308 that shoots fantastic but I never use it so I'm goi g to build it into a better coyote rifle. The action is butter smooth, it has the precision accutrigger set at 1#, and a factory 10 round mag.

So I want to hear from you guys what's the best 22cal center fire for coyotes?

Here's the Ruger
View attachment 623420

Here's the Savage action

View attachment 623423
Here is a TRYBE defense chassis that I picked up for a steal

View attachment 623424
I am considering just having it rebarreled to a 22-250 since I have such great luck with it and killing coyotes. Most shots here are less than 250 yards. With 90% being less than 150.

So what your fellas opinions?

1:7.7 twist 22 Creedmoor

 

[highfinblue]

Easy button would be 22-250 1 in 8 or 1 in 7 and use current dies and brass.

This

 

[DarryH]

I'm older, so the 22-250 is king to me. I have NO experience with the newer rounds, though some look pretty impressive. Advantages for you is you already know the round and it's performance very well, you have ammo and cases already, and it works with your existing bolt face. Have fun!!!

 

[ShootnMathews]

Well, I'll give my 2 cents…

IF I were to build a long range coyote rifle… I'd have to lean on the side of 22 Creedmoor with no less than a 24" barrel.

I don't have one yet but I'll give my reasons:

1) I just put a 22 Creedmoor rifle together for a friend who takes me hunting on his South Texas ranches. And, down there, there is a big following of the 22 Creedmoor for everything they hunt from coyote to Audad and whitetail deer.
2) This rifle will absolutely pin the donkeys tail with 75-80 grain bullets @ 3350-3400 fps!!
Again, This is with a 24" barrel… so…
I'm realizing that's why you see so many 20" barrels for sale!
Again, So… what would you take to the stand?
A 55-60 grain going 3500-3600 which will implode a coyote… or a 75-80 grain that will drop it, or a 200 lb pig, or whitetail with better ballistics down range for steel and bragging rights?..

Maybe not even 2 cents worth, but that's only my thoughts since I hunt coyote down here in South Louisiana and most shots are from 75-250 yards

All good points. I've very torn on which caliber to go with. My current set up runs a 50 grain Vmax at 4009fps and is sited in at 1/2" high at 100 yards and I can hold dead on to about 225 and at 300 I have about 6" of drop so I just hold on their back. In between 225 and 300 I just hold about where the ribs meet the spine. And I can do all of this with just eye estimation of range and have killed a pile of dogs this way. If I went 22 creed I'd probably be ranging and dialing at 300. I haven't checked into it that deep but a 80 pill at 3200 has to have more drop than this 50 at 4000fps. . I'm still on the fence with which to go with.

 

[Beluebow]

Another vote for the 22Cm. If you reload that is a plus....if you don't, there is some great factory ammo out there.

 

[Beluebow]

All good points. I've very torn on which caliber to go with. My current set up runs a 50 grain Vmax at 4009fps and is sited in at 1/2" high at 100 yards and I can hold dead on to about 225 and at 300 I have about 6" of drop so I just hold on their back. In between 225 and 300 I just hold about where the ribs meet the spine. And I can do all of this with just eye estimation of range and have killed a pile of dogs this way. If I went 22 creed I'd probably be ranging and dialing at 300. I haven't checked into it that deep but a 80 pill at 3200 has to have more drop than this 50 at 4000fps. . I'm still on the fence with which to go with.

If you zero a Berger 80.5FB@3260fps (what I run mine at with a 22" barrel) at 200yrds the drop would be basically the same...but you would have less wind drift and more energy.

Here are a couple tools to play with..

https://bergerbullets.com/ballistics-calculator/

https://shooterscalculator.com/point-blank-range.php?df=G2&bc=0.226&vi=3250&sh=1.5&ts=4

 

[Roughrice]

All good points. I've very torn on which caliber to go with. My current set up runs a 50 grain Vmax at 4009fps and is sited in at 1/2" high at 100 yards and I can hold dead on to about 225 and at 300 I have about 6" of drop so I just hold on their back. In between 225 and 300 I just hold about where the ribs meet the spine. And I can do all of this with just eye estimation of range and have killed a pile of dogs this way. If I went 22 creed I'd probably be ranging and dialing at 300. I haven't checked into it that deep but a 80 pill at 3200 has to have more drop than this 50 at 4000fps. . I'm still on the fence with which to go with.

No dialing at those ranges.
75 ELDM @ 3350 with 200 yard zero = 1" high @100 and 5" low @ 300

 

[ShootnMathews]

No dialing at those ranges.
75 ELDM @ 3350 with 200 yard zero = 1" high @100 and 5" low @ 300

Are you having good luck with that match bullet on coyotes?

 

[Roughrice]

I just built it for a friend and developed the load for it.
I've used 223 for years but had too many runners.
Now, I mostly use 6.5 Grendel for the ranges I hunt around here.... 250 yards max and most are under.

 

[Web1350]

Here in WV you can only use 22cal cartridges for night hunting and I'm looking at having a savage 110 308win rebarreled to something for coyotes. I currently run a Ruger American Predator 22-250 in a Magpul Hunter fed with Hornady Superformance 50 grain VMax. In this rifle it's running 4009 fps, groups 1/2 moa, and flat hammers coyotes. But the action leaves something to be desired. It's rough, noisy, and just all around clunky. Still yet it's killed SOOOOO many coyotes.

I have in my safe a Savage FCP-SR 308 that shoots fantastic but I never use it so I'm goi g to build it into a better coyote rifle. The action is butter smooth, it has the precision accutrigger set at 1#, and a factory 10 round mag.

So I want to hear from you guys what's the best 22cal center fire for coyotes?

Here's the Ruger
View attachment 623420

Here's the Savage action

View attachment 623423
Here is a TRYBE defense chassis that I picked up for a steal

View attachment 623424
I am considering just having it rebarreled to a 22-250 since I have such great luck with it and killing coyotes. Most shots here are less than 250 yards. With 90% being less than 150.

So what your fellas opinions?

I'd stick with the 22/250. It's tried and true and you've had positive experiences with it. Ammo is very accessible and reasonable. "Dance with the girl that brought ya".

 

[Mike Matteson]

Build a 22-243AI - you'll thank me later.

That will push them down the road. That kind of velocity are you getting. I have a 220 Swift and have had for a great many years. love the rifle and what I can do with it.

 

[westexhunt]

I grew up on a ranch and have carried a rifle everyday since 1988, at one time (for a long time) 22-250 was the only centerfire rifle I owned. I still have that 788, plus a couple more as well as a 22-250AI. I would have to go back and check to see how long I've had it but my first 22CM is a Horizon built on a Tikka. Newest 22CM is a Horizon Vandal 18". I've also got a custom built on a BAT in a chassis and a 16" Savage I put together. I've got two boys that hunt more than I do now is the reason for multiple rifles in a caliber. I've settled on 80gr ELDM for all around use. In the last week that Vandal has killed a coyote, a big feral hog, half a dozen or so fox, 10 or 11 whitetail (including the biggest bodied wt buck I've ever loaded in Texas) and a javelina. All one shot kills and only one deer ran leaving a blood trail like a water hose was pumping. I run everything suppressed, have for many years, hate recoil (prefer to see my impacts through the scope). The 22CM is it for me. Will be re-barreling my Q and Sig Cross to 22CM next for thermal host.