7 wsm shooting 120 gr V-Max or Nosler BTs any one use these for Coyotes ?
7mm 120 gr Nosler BT
- Thread starter Ironworker
- Start date
The BT is is more of a hunting bullet (as opposed to a varmint bullet), with a rather tough jacket considering it's weight. I've used them on antelope and whitetails with excellent results. Never used the Vmax in calibers above .223. The BT will work on coyotes, too, I'm sure. They were quite accurate in my 280.
Kaiser Norton
Kaiser Norton
Avoid the V-Max as you will likely do a good part of the skinning on impact, at least on the exit side.
The Nosler BT might work if you have one of the smaller 7mm's, ie:7-08. But I think the velocity will be way too high with any of the mags, and possibly with a .280 or .280AI, and the exit wound will be massive.
Most use much smaller calibers for coyote if saving pelts. They do less fur damage and the bullets will usually explode inside the animal, leaving no exit wound.
120gr bullets are quite heavy for a coyote, as they are small animals. If you want to save the hide, use a bullet with controlled expansion or as light a bullet as you can find, maybe the 100gr Hornady HP or a tougher bullet that won't expand much.
I recently killed my first 2 coyotes with a .243 and 80gr Nosler BT Varmint @3300+fps hoping it would totally fragment in the animal. I still ended up with a bit more damage on the first than I had hoped (180yds), so the second got a head-ringer(120yds). But the head ringer didn't really work out as planned, as he was missing most of the top of his head.
I think I am going to try the 55's or 70's next time out. Though I hope to have my .22BR barrel done soon so I can just use a smaller round.
If at all possible, use a 6mm or smaller, aand something in the .204-.223 range will likely do well on coyotes if saving pelts. FMJ's are another option if laws allow them, though they are prohibited where I am. I have heard the centerfire .17's do very well inside 250yds. And even the .17HMR will do just fine to at least 75yds, as I watched my brother drop one with my .17 last year at apprx 50yds if I recall correctly.
The Nosler BT might work if you have one of the smaller 7mm's, ie:7-08. But I think the velocity will be way too high with any of the mags, and possibly with a .280 or .280AI, and the exit wound will be massive.
Most use much smaller calibers for coyote if saving pelts. They do less fur damage and the bullets will usually explode inside the animal, leaving no exit wound.
120gr bullets are quite heavy for a coyote, as they are small animals. If you want to save the hide, use a bullet with controlled expansion or as light a bullet as you can find, maybe the 100gr Hornady HP or a tougher bullet that won't expand much.
I recently killed my first 2 coyotes with a .243 and 80gr Nosler BT Varmint @3300+fps hoping it would totally fragment in the animal. I still ended up with a bit more damage on the first than I had hoped (180yds), so the second got a head-ringer(120yds). But the head ringer didn't really work out as planned, as he was missing most of the top of his head.
I think I am going to try the 55's or 70's next time out. Though I hope to have my .22BR barrel done soon so I can just use a smaller round.
If at all possible, use a 6mm or smaller, aand something in the .204-.223 range will likely do well on coyotes if saving pelts. FMJ's are another option if laws allow them, though they are prohibited where I am. I have heard the centerfire .17's do very well inside 250yds. And even the .17HMR will do just fine to at least 75yds, as I watched my brother drop one with my .17 last year at apprx 50yds if I recall correctly.
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