I am looking for a scope recommendation and bullet recommendation to use on coyotes in a .22-250 Browning 78 single shot. I am leaning towards a 3.5x10, 4x12, or 6x18 variable scope. An advantage of the 3.3x10 is that I already have a good one. I want a bullet that will not do too much pelt damage. Since the area I hunt is open prairie, shots are generally long; 200 yards plus. The rifle will see little to no use on smaller varmints and no use on deer/antelope-sized critters.

Been years since I did serious coyote hunting. Your 3.5x10 is plenty. We approached bullet selection 2 ways. If it was open we would often use a solid. Yes no quick kills but one through the lungs would do the job. If we wanted to drop it on the spot and do as little damage as possible we went with something explosive. Figured small hole one the one side and jelly on the inside. At the time we used Nosler BTs probably 55gr range. You hit the shoulder most any bullet will leave you a large hole going in.

I called and trapped coyotes for a living for many years. I had my best luck with two bullets in the Swift and 22-250. They were the old Speer 1035 52 grain HP. Rarely ever had an exit at Swift or 22-250 velocity. The other is the Sierra 1365 55 grain Game King. It usually leaves about a one inch exit wound which is easily sewn. I'm sure there are some other good fur bullets but these two have proven themselves very reliable. I found the 40 grain BT and VMax to be pretty damaging if a shoulder was hit. Seems they would splash and leave a huge entrance wound. Slipped into the lungs behind the shoulder and they work well.

I tend to run fixed low power scopes on my calling rifles and I rarely use a Swift or 22-250 any more. My calling rifles are a 6mmx222, 17 Remington and a 16x16x222 Rimmed drilling and I'm looking at a Savage 24V in 223/20 gauge. A 22-250 begs for a fairly powerful scope and your 3.3x10 would serve you well. I ran a 4-12x on my last one. I always coach new callers to leave it on the lowest setting and turn it up if needed. There is always turn to turn it up but never time to turn it down especially when one sneaks in and is in your lap. I've never felt handicapped making a 400 yard shot on 4x but I have forgotten to turn the power down and played heck trying to find one at 20 feet on 12 power.

I've been using Sierra 52 and 53 grain Match bullets at 3800 fps. Last year I shot 4 Coyotes at 100 yards to 225 yards and I did not get an exit, all shots were into ribcage.
Your scope selection is good with the 3.5-10.
I have a Nikon Monarch 5.5-15 on one of my 22/250's and wish I didn't sometimes, other rifle has a 4-12 Leupold on it.

My little rig (sako vixen) has a leu 3 x 9 compact. My middle (223) has a leu 4 x 12 and my big (220 Swift) a Leu 6 x 20. For song dogs, I prefer the 3 x 9 or 4 x 12.

I also recommend the 52 gr. Speer HP. They usually do not come out. I have a friend who likes the Rem. 55 gr. PSP that you can buy in bulk. They appear to mushroom but not blow up and leave about a 1" exit hole. I will stay with the Speers.

For a scope, I use a Leupold 3.5-10X VariX-III. The rifle is a Rem. 700 AS.

I shoot a 60 gr. Horn HP of which I have plenty. Any 60 gr. bullet should be fine or a 50 is fine. I hunt the Owahee desert and shoot coyotes often. I like the heavier bullets because they work up close and hold velocity better at long range and buck the wind better also. A 2.5 x 8 Leupold scope is what I use, never found the need for more. I have a 2x7 on my 250-3000 and it works just as well. Get much bigger than these two scopes then off hand and running shots become difficult for me.

Another vote for the 52 hpbt or 53 Sierra match or the similar from Hornady, never shot coyotes with the Speer 52 mentioned, but I think it would work well also. Scope power is really a preference thing, I shoot almost everything at 10X-12X, even prairie dogs. I have used the Speer 52 on PD's and results were very good.

Thanks guys. The nice thing about the 3.5x10 is that I already have one. I tend to like lower power scopes so your recommendations reinforce my inclination.

I have too many coyote rifles and one is a 22-250.
Most of mine wear a Leupold 4-12X, with a fine duplex reticle.
I mostly use 50 grain ballistic tips and 50 grain Bergers.
I find these to be very accurate and effective.

I use the 36 grain Barnes Varmint grenades pushed to 4,400 fps out of my 22.250. I've never had a bullet exit from hits at 100 - 300 yards.

As to the scope, Natchez Shooter Supply is currently selling the Weaver V16 for around $220, a good scope at a great price. I have this scope on my Remington 700 LVSF parts guns in 223 and 22-250 and really like them. I even like them better at $220 per unit.

Can't comment on a pelt-friendly .224" bullet, as I don't save the coyotes that I shoot, just haul 'em home and send them to the dump.

If coyote pelts ever get high dollar again, I'll be shooting the Barnes Varmint grenade..but with the 60 gr. Hornady I get a small exit and its easy to sew up and never got docked for it. They are so good in the wind and wind is a problem in the Owyhee and snake river canyon.