If you could use either which one would you use/buy?

Based upon all I have read on them, the Duke 650's would be best choice if I lived in Montana where you do. Bigger jaw spread for those high dollar coyotes and a proven trigger design.

American Made

Minnesota Brand MB650's

If no chance of catching mine or someone else’s dog/cat then mb 650 for me

650 here

I have both and I prefer the mb550, that being said I haven't tried the Duke 650 yet, but I think it will be good

I've released 4 neighborhood canines- Totally unharmed from my MB650's

I’ve used both up there in Montana and I now own only the 550s.

Caught mine twice now in MB 650s without any issues but now he is definitely more cautious when I'm making a set. Both are good and have their places but like how my MB 550's bed vs the 650's.

What about cats? I caught my own cat in a 550 and it hasn’t put any weight on it in 6 weeks, I can’t imagine what a 650 would have done. I’ve caught my dogs in #3 bridger dog less without issue and in 550s and no issues.

Iv caught my dog twice and a neighbors once, and my finger once all in mb 650 with no damage. If I caught a cat... well, i don't like cats lol.

That’s what I was thinking about the bedding them. I just order 2 650 that come in today. There big! Which I’m from MS and all I used down there was 1.75 or 2. I like that latch on the 650. Also there are wolves where I trap just in case one steps in coyote set. It might hold one.

I've used both. They're both good traps. I sold all my 550s and use 650s almost exclusively now. My only complaint is that they are a little messy on feet sometimes, even on coyotes. I use the inside laminated model. I'd like to try the cast jaw version but they're barely over the legal jaw spread here.

I have both. Cast jaw 650's seem to cause very little foot damage. Laminated 650's are a little rougher.

MB550 with offset cast jaws and 2 coils are just about the biggest that comply within the land trap size regulations.

I want the least damage possible on red foxes because I release them. We have a few remaining red foxes that the coyotes have not eaten. Back in the time B.C. - before coyotes moved into this area, every year my gray fox catch was 60% red and 40% gray. The grays have been decimated by the coyotes. As a good sign, this spring a good friend saw a pair of grays when turkey hunting. I would not want any damage on a gray.

no question the mb 550 offset 2 coil would be my choice. I have no use for any 4 coiled traps.

I've caught both farm cats and fox in my 650's and released them without issues. Caught two of my neighbors cats on the same set and both are back catching rodents at the farm. I have cast OS on both 550's and 650's.

If I was in Montana, 650 cast, offset jaw for sure.

X2

^^^^^^^ We have these set at present. All we've used for > 10 years.

Blessings,
Mark