I was just wondering who using guns to control predators on larger tracts of land in supplement or instead of trapping.

Whats your thoughts on the right situations to use a firearm.

Also, what firearm/caliber, I am thinking of converting one of my ARs for precision, but was wondering if anyone went with bigger calibers to ensure a knockdown.

If you just want em dead and don't want the hides anything will work, lots of guys I know use ARs out here just to thin em out a bit, lots of times the hides don't look too bad though long as you don't use somethin massive on em

22-250 if your 300yds or less. Over that 6mm or my personal favorite 6mm/.284 that will work for a long ways. Every one likes the AR platform and they are nice, but unless we are jump shooting and I need to take running shots I will just stick to my old bolt gun. You can do lots to an AR but you can't make it as good as a Mauser 98 or Model 70 action.

It's going to vary based on where you are hunting, if you plan on using the hide afterwards, how good of a shot you are, and what ammunition you choose/are limited to.

For small (200 yards or less) feeding areas surrounded by timber, I like the .17 or .22 mag or .223 especially if I'm using the pelt afterwards. If I'd be in more open space (up to 300 yards), then I'd with the .223 or .22-250. If I was going for long range shooting (300+ yards) I'd look at the .243 or the .25-06 (which I've never shot) due to the flat trajectory and heavier bullet weights.

Terrain would most likely be flatland with oak and boulders. I am a decent shot, but a little out of practice. I won't use the pelts. Considering that the coyote means money and customer satisfaction I will keep range of 300. I know very few people going past that who are near good as they think.

Sounds like either a .223, 5.56 or .22-250 is the best choice for you. Check to see what is available in nonlead ammo around you first as you may have to make a rifle and/or twist rate selection based on it. Remember, there is a difference between .223 and 5.56 so you don't want to be mixing ammo unless the gun is made to shoot both and that the higher the twist rate, the lighter the bullet should be. This is why a 1:12 twist works best with a 35-40 grain bullet giving better performance at shorter ranges while a 1:8 twist with a 62 grain bullet works better for longer ranges.

If you find you could use either, determine how much you want to pay. Most AR platforms in .223 and/or 5.56 (1:7, 1:8, 1:10 or 1:12 twist rate) will have a manufacture's starting price around $1,000 just for the rifle while bolt actions can be found around $350.

For .22-250, Olympic Arms has it in the AR platform with a 1:14 twist for around $1,500 while a .22-250 Savage bolt action with a 1:12 twist is around $350.

1:12 will stabilize up to a 55gr bullet well. A 1:8 would handle an 80gr just fine. I'm talking .22cal. Out past 300 gets pretty tricky and I don't shoot much past that with my 250, it just runs out of gas with my load. I developed my load for fur but it's so accurate I never messed with it. I shoot 27.5gr of 4198 55gr vmax and it's only going 3150fps but it shoots 1 hole groups.

In my experience it depends on the bullet and the gun. I had a .223 1:12 that couldn't handle a 55 gr FMJ at 50 yards while my .22-250 with a 1:12 does great with 55 gr soft tip at 200.

Anyone use the .17s? Not the rimfire but the remington, fireball or hornet.

My thinking is to lower the pass through and ricochet risks with the lighter projectiles.

Never had any luck getting a .17 center fire to shoot very well. Have killed many a coyote with my hornet. I shoot a 35gr vmax and 12.5gr of 4198. Shoots as well as a hornet can. Never shot any with the 221 so no input there. I don't even have one anymore. Turned all my old fireball brass into whisper brass.

I have an AR, I will probably just end up getting a new barrel and trigger kit

If you're not using the hides then dead coyotes mean $$$$$
Bigger is better. While my long range rifle is a 257 Roberts, when I want them on the spot dead the 30-06 is my go to rifle. A coyote that runs off is money down the drain not to mention a public relations nightmare when they drop dead in someone's yard etc.

I'm lookin now, I might be getting a 300 win mag in a trade. No such thing as overkill.

I love the 22-250 but I might be convinced to shoot a 58gr 243 if I didnt care so much about pelt damage.

17 hmr great for up to 100 yads

AR-15 with some Winchester ballistic tip 50gr ammo with a 5.6 drop at 300yds

How often or when would you choose a firearm over trapping. I haven't had a coyote call yet, but collarums are about $75 a piece, bullets about 50 cents.

I've heard that before but usually in the same breath there is something like "as long as you don't hit a rib" or "just don't take a head on shot" etc.

I agree, might be a good idea for fur, but why risk it for ADC.

For under 300 yards, anything .223 and up will do well. Take your pick.

.17 HMR, I think not. Ive shot enough prairie dogs at 100 yards to know it doesnt even belong in the same sentence as coyotes.