Fox / Coyote Cartridge Advice?

[DiRTY DOG]

Fox will be the problem, as they are very fragile, hide wise. I would choose a .223 with a tough 55 gr bullet. As in a soft point Sierra and not a plastic tipped bullet. Plan on an exit hole, but not to big with a bullet that gives limited expansion. Been there and done that! A .5 to 1" exit is what you want. Easily sewn up. A 5" exit hole, not so much. Good luck with your adventure.
Paul

A 45gr Barnes TSX does this. Drops foxes and coyotes with authority and leaves very small exit holes. Always 100% penetration.

 

[Gary in MD]

No trouble with pelt damage at all with that.....LMAO

What pelt?! LOL

 

[762willdo]

223 and 40 gr V-Max or Ballistic tip, loaded to 3800ish fps. Sight in at 200 yards and your approx bullet travel will be down about 5” at 300 yards and 15” at 400 yards. And I can confirm that 40 gr BT will drop a coyote like a bad habit.

What powder are you using to get a straight .223 40 grn vmax to 3800ish? And how much?

 

[rmeyerwy]

What powder are you using to get a straight .223 40 grn vmax to 3800ish? And how much?

Hodgdon lists xterminator 27gr 3800fps, aa2230 27gr 3803 fps max loads but...

 

[762willdo]

Ahh….my load data doesn’t have terminator in it….ill have to check it out thanx.

 

[snert]

Exterminator is my go to for 223 when I load in bulk. It meters like water, produces plenty of velocity, ahs a bullet "window" that is wide and it is CHEAP in comparison to some others.

 

[762willdo]

Exterminator is my go to for 223 when I load in bulk. It meters like water, produces plenty of velocity, ahs a bullet "window" that is wide and it is CHEAP in comparison to some others.

Mine has been H335 for pretty much the same reasons

 

[Onebad06VTX]

I have wacked many fox,bobcats and yotes with the 17remington.
Never any pelt damage!

 

[nmjwolf]

FWIW - Hornady 55 PSP (#2265) is a great bullet for 200 and in with a 22 cal

 

[Evlshnngns]

I tell everybody to get a 223 bolt gun. You would be crazy to not start there. Free brass, and more powder and bullet choices than any other caliber.

 

[nockhunter]

I have used 50g Speer TNT, 50g Hornady spsx on woodchucks in my .222rem. Didn't blow them apart, but their skin is tougher than fox. the sierra 50g spt is a little harder bullet but is verry accurate. All of these should do well at .222/.223 speeds.

Mike

 

[jds holler]

If I'm loading for pelts, I'd stick with 222 type power and light, 40gr bullets. Often don't exit on coyotes, and if they do, the hole is stitchable. I'm lacking in experience on fox, but the pelt is thick furred, and plenty sewable.

300 yds is a long shot with what I'm talking about, -- or just in general if ya ask me. jd

 

[DiRTY DOG]

I have wacked many fox,bobcats and yotes with the 17remington.
Never any pelt damage!

I tried 17rem on grey foxes and it was 50/50 blowing holes and ripping fur. 25gr HP. It's too much.

 

[Frankm]

+1 to Snerts recommendation …. Blue Dot with 40-50 gr appropriate bullet and run 10-12 grs based on velocity you want; will be quiet and deadly to 200-250 yards. Depending on bullet weight these charges will give you 2400-2700+ with 50 grainers and 2600-2900 with 40 grainers. We shoot ALOT of grd squirrels with these exact loads. Nice part is they ll shoot very close to your full power loads at 100 yards.

Go regular full tilt when after coyotes with whatever powder and bullet you run.

Blue Dot does make your 223 into a 22WMR, 22 Hornet or light 222 Rem based on your needs!!

 

[Treerat-sniper]

Another old-school .22-250 fan here. Starting loads will mimic a .223 for fox & you can speed em up for Wiley.

 

[Davidheart]

+1 to Snerts recommendation …. Blue Dot with 40-50 gr appropriate bullet and run 10-12 grs based on velocity you want; will be quiet and deadly to 200-250 yards. Depending on bullet weight these charges will give you 2400-2700+ with 50 grainers and 2600-2900 with 40 grainers. We shoot ALOT of grd squirrels with these exact loads. Nice part is they ll shoot very close to your full power loads at 100 yards.

Go regular full tilt when after coyotes with whatever powder and bullet you run.

Blue Dot does make your 223 into a 22WMR, 22 Hornet or light 222 Rem based on your needs!!

Thank you all for your time. I kind of suspected but it It looks like a 223 bolt gun will be the best option since I could flexibly load depending on my scenario. I already do this with my 308 using subsonic 190gr hunting, cast bullet squirrel loads, 178gr LR, and HV 130gr copper loads.

Now I need to locate one that'll fit my needs and I could enjoy. The only thing about small cartridge rifles is that I don't really like when manufacturers use a long action (or short) and put a big spacer behind the magazine. A Howa Mini action then? I noticed the Ruger American, Savage Axis, Model 7, and Tikka all use this spacer block. Any other models I should look at?

 

[Doug Casner]

I dont have one, wish I did, pre-64 model 70 22 hornet had one I been told. Doug

 

[dantiff2]

You already have a 6mm creed and you’re wanting to change to something smaller? You have the best predator round imaginable. Stick with it! Use 65-75 gn Vmax bullets and keep piling’em up! It’s just that simple! Don’t downgrade. Drop your rig in a KRG chassis (so it’s mag fed) and enjoy it!

 

[Hal]

I don't know if any .22 bullets will stay inside a red fox and not blow a hole. They aren't very big. The .17 cal bullets will stay inside a fox most of the time.
Grey fox are even smaller. I never saw one of them.

Hal

 

[Davidheart]

I don't know if any .22 bullets will stay inside a red fox and not blow a hole. They aren't very big. The .17 cal bullets will stay inside a fox most of the time.
Grey fox are even smaller. I never saw one of them.

Hal

The Grey fox and red fox we have around here seem to be about the same size. Here's a picture I got of one of our fox two nights ago.