Best coyote caliber for pelts

[boltman223]

I had good experiences with a 221 firball and 40 nosler ballistic tips. I shot coyote's from 60 yards to 250. No problem with big exit holes even with the one at 60 yards. The exit hole was about the size of my pinky. Maybe I just got lucky.

I think I would go with a 17 fireball now just to try something different.

Edit to say, that was only about 10 coyotes...

 

[GT Accuracy]

Are the 17 Remington Fireball's even made anymore?

 

[kcjim]

I have shot several coyotes with a .221 Fireball and 40 gr V- Max's. Usual distance is 40 yds or so coming in to predator call. That combination results in large exit holes. Not good for fur hunting.

 

[fredo]

From what I know, Dave (DAA) shoots his .17Predator, a .20-250, and a 6-284. He's a super smart dude, has BTDT will all matter of wildcats, & stacks coyotes like cordwood. His Varmint Safari IV video was single-handedly responsible for my having Greg Tannel build me a .17Predator, too!
Mine works as described...

A 30gr GOLD @4100 will lock a coyote up, yet is quite fur friendly. Not a mark on either of these cats...

BTW, if you want to make a hotrod .224 'fur friendly' for cats or fox, load some 62 or 70gr TSXs. I've zipped a 70TSX @ 3500+ thru dainty gray fox with zero damage. Just two .22 caliber holes...

 

[snert]

I shot Fredo's 17 on a chuck. Bad medicine.

 

[dedogs]

That combination results in large exit holes.

Slow it down or shoot them farther out. dedogs

 

[KMart]

a full metal jacket 55 grain bullet out of a 223 is what works best for me, but ones that will shoot accurately seem to be no longer made. Last box of Hornady's I bought looked like buckshot on the target...

http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?95657-Review-Bobs-Bullets-Bulk-223-55-Grain-FMJ

Bob's bullets got a good write up on Benchrest Central a couple of months ago. Might be worth a try.

 

[sbhooper]

Those are great critter pics! I haven't done much varmint hunting in many years, but I used to shoot a BLR .243 with 70 grains Hornady SX at 2300fps and had great results for close-in varmints. All of these new hot rods are far superior, as is evident in the pics.

Great stuff!

 

[boltman223]

Are the 17 Remington Fireball's even made anymore?

No, ib don't believe so.

I have shot several coyotes with a .221 Fireball and 40 gr V- Max's. Usual distance is 40 yds or so coming in to predator call. That combination results in large exit holes. Not good for fur hunting.

I wonder if the difference between the construction(perceived anyways) of tge 40 vmax vs the nosler Ballistic tip made any difference. I know all I hit was ribs with my shots so I suppose that could also make a difference.

 

[msinc]

http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?95657-Review-Bobs-Bullets-Bulk-223-55-Grain-FMJ

Bob's bullets got a good write up on Benchrest Central a couple of months ago. Might be worth a try.

Wow!!! Thanks a million for posting about these bullets!!! You can best believe I will have some on the way...unless he is out.

 

[Shaggy357]

.22-250 with Winchester 55gr FMJ, .223 with Winchester 45HP or 45SP, and the .17 Rem with 25s. I have 300 17 Rems that I just finished neck turning. Hope to have them loaded over the weekend. Just waiting for some cold weather now........

 

[GT Accuracy]

I am going with a 17 Mach IV and ordered a 17 Tac Reamer - We will see which one performs better. Ah the joys of doing your own chamber work...you're only out your own time

 

[WyleWD]

I am going with a 17 Mach IV and ordered a 17 Tac Reamer - We will see which one performs better. Ah the joys of doing your own chamber work...you're only out your own time

Are you going with a 9 twist??? What barrel are you going with? Curious minds want to know... WD

 

[GT Accuracy]

Going with:

9 twist
24"
Rem Varmint Contour
Lilja 4 groove
Zero FB
.203 neck

 

[WyleWD]

Going with:

9 twist
24"
Rem Varmint Contour
Lilja 4 groove
Zero FB
.203 neck

SWEET!! I will be very surprised if you aren't pleased with that.

I've shot quite a few yotes with my Swift and was/am happy with it, but after shooting just a few with the 17 Rem ..... well..... WOW what a difference, you just about have to see it to believe it. WD

 

[rardoin]

Going with:

9 twist
24"
Rem Varmint Contour
Lilja 4 groove
Zero FB
.203 neck

Mossburg action...I presume?

 

[GT Accuracy]

Mossburg action...I presume?

Absolutley Robin!

 

[jds holler]

For calling, where I am pretty sure that shots are gonna be 150 yds or less, I absolutely love my little 218 Bee. Thick stuff where 50 yds is max -- 12 ga. I've shot the most with my 222, but every now and then the damage is kinda excessive. I'm pretty good with a needle and thread. jd

 

[oldhoward]

Morning, While I haven't hunted for pelts in a while, when I did I used a 22 Hornet with a target style bullet in the 50 to 52 grain range. This was good for 150 yard shots and there was little pelt damage. Most of the time I tried to do head shots thru the ears. Just a simple cheap option. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Barlow]

The 87gr Vmax in my 6 Dasher has not yet shot through a coyote. Tiny entrance hole results in dead coyote. Barlow