I see we have a few riflemen here.

I had been looking to get a new "do everything" predator rig to span fox, cats, and coyotes, but I am finding that what is reliable for coyotes is too much for the other critters, and what is appropriate for fox and cat is marginal on yotes.

So focusing on Eastern coyotes, how's the 17 Fireball out to an occasional 300 yard shot.? Realizing that many will be much closer than that.

What say you.?

I have the 17 Mach 4 which is almost identical to the fireball. I have shot quite a few coyote and fox with it. I use the Genco 26 grain rebated hollow point bullet. Little hole in no hole going out. The key with this round and other 17’s is shot placement. It’s what I call “fur friendly “

Netman how much of a difference from a 17 centerfire?

mach 4 is centerfire.... for 300 yards I personally would go with at least a 17 rem. if you reload hands down the 17 predator (17/223) may have to go light on bullet weight not be destructive on fox and cats and still have the energy for 300 yard yotes.
RR

I'm really diggin the. 204 but never shot a fox.

Most know I am an advocate of the .17s Have shot a Mach IV for 30 years. It is a marginal 300 yard coyote gun. 200 is better. Shoulder or long angle shot are dramatically hard to guess what the end result might be.
I have shot mine with 25hp at around 3200, Awesome fox and cat gun. With that said I killed piles of fur with a .17 rem 25 hp at 3750fps. a more consistant 300 yard coyote gun. shoulder shots can fail as with semi quartering ones. Have killed coyotes at longer ranges but don't condone it. Good snow for the 50-75 yard tracking is always a plus.

I have a Tikka .17 Remington that I use most of the time. However if I’m going to be out all day calling/walking I take the Cooper.17 Mach 4 as it’s alot lighter. If I could figure out the picture posting on here I have pictures of skinned coyotes showing the carcass and bullet damage or lack of using the .17’s.

So, out to 300 yards things get "iffy" with the 17's on Coyotes...

Some folks really like the 204..


What are your thoughts concerning the 223 running 40gr NBT's.?

I have never shot a coyote with a 223 however I have killed plenty with a 220 Swift. I use a 50 gr SPSX bullet which is fur friendly as long as the shot is in the heart lungs area. It will kill with authority at 300 yds.

The fast .17's are barrel burners but it's not the barrel usually is throat erosion in the chamber area, most likely.

The .17 Hornet would be an o.k. gun, it's a bit slower than those already mentioned but way better barrel life.

The .204 Ruger shines on 'yotes and bobs' with the 40gr. Vmax.

The .223 Rem. is My top choice but would want one reamed out to .223 Wylde so i could safely shoot military and civilian ammo. And some AR rifles already carry this chamber. And there are so many good .223 caliber bullets i wont even go there, but i love Hornady and Nosler.

and the the list goes on from here, The .243 and others shine when things like wind and distance are present but that my FWIW

NBT as in Nosler Ballistic tip- i wouldn't
You want a frangible bullet like a Hornady Vmax or Nosler Varmageddon.
They both come in 40 gr.

Get the varmint but prettyfur friendlybig differenceifyouget the bt hunting bullet

Get the varmint bt’ s

I'm pretty sure that the bullet, the 40gr NBT, is what we are speaking of here in the 22 centerfires. Yes.?

This would be a different bullet than the "Varmigeddon" and the "lead free" offerings.

Once again, a " caliber/ cartridge" choice gets derailed :cra

A . 17 fireball will kill coyotes at 300 yards easy...
Problem is lack of factory BULLETS!!
You will have to reload and use a quality bullet, not one made for prairie dogs!
I routinly kill them over 400 yards with a .17 caliber

17 Fireball is a GREAT fur round, 300 yard coyotes is very doable. The amount of internal damage coupled with the lack of external damage is hard to understand without seeing it for yourself. I run a 25 grain hornady hollow point at 3500 fps.

bucksnbears- i only responded with info on the other calibers after the original poster inquired of other calibers in a ladder type scenario.

Sorry you got scolded HTF307...My bad.

I love my .17 rem for both fox and coyotes. 300 yards is no problem.

You can use 22 shorts if you hit coyote in the eye at a good angle. Otherwise, .17 Remington center fire or above.