Fox / Coyote Cartridge Advice?

[Davidheart]

So I've got bit by a bug to hunt predators on our land and we're covered up in fox moreso than coyote. I had been using my 6mm Creedmoor but I want to be able to save the pelts as well so I'd like to add to my collection.

On the fields for the new rifle I'm thinking about, shots will range from 50-200 yards at the treeline. However, if any coyote pop up I would like to be able to take one too.

If I'm hunting the bigger fields that range out to 400-500 yards I'd choose to take my 6CM but I'm not sure which bullet I should use that won't blow a huge hole in a fox.

I've seen advice to use everything from 17WSM to .243/6CM.

I appreciate thoughts and advice on cartridge/ bullet combinations. I set the poll to allow y'all to choose two choices. Thank you!

 

[JB10]

I think for a fox the 17's would be best for lest damage control. I have blown up 2 foxes with a 204 and 35 bergers. One was about 100 yards, one was about 25 yards. Seen a 223 with 53 vmax blow one up at 50 yards. Id stay light with some speed but not crazy speed.

 

[DirtySteve]

For fox 17 WSM. Coyote 300 WSM...

 

[Loudenboomer]

For fox 17 WSM. Coyote 300 WSM...

And shoot the Coytes 3 times

 

[std7mag]

I use the ole' 250 Savage or 257 Roberts.
Teamed with Sierra's 90gr BlitzKing, good for 400+ yards.

 

[snert]

Of your choices given, as much as I hate it, 223.

You can load it for fox and for coyote easily, just changing bullet and loading it at full power or slimming it down to 222 or less. You can even load Blue Dot and mimic a Hornet or 22 mag.

After all, we are Accurate shooters here. And reloaders too.

 

[603Country]

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.

 

[Clancy]

6BR, 70 grain varmageddon

 

[10XSHOOTER]

.223 with a 50 gr hollow point. going only about 3000 FPS.

 

[DRK]

6 TCU or 17 fireball in a bolt gun.

My all around rat rifle is a 6 TCU w/70 BTs or Blitzkings. 17 fireball is coming soon, like it better than the Hornet for brass based off the 223 case & you get more case capacity.

 

[boltfluter]

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

 

[K22]

I don't know if it's "ideal", but it works really well, the 223 Rem, 8" twist with 60 Vmax bullets in my Tikka T3X lite. The distances you stated are about the same distances where almost all my shot opportunities occur.

However, I should add that I do not salvage the fur and I am nowhere near an "expert" when it comes to predator hunting, I just dabble in it as an excuse to get out in the winter months.

 

[Doug Casner]

Im old school. 22-250 or a 220 swift. Ive seen guys out coyote hunting with 17 rem. couldnt keep them down. 25 gr. bullet you better hit em right. Your shooting twice as big a bullet wih the 22s. If your keeping the fur shoot the little stuff but who wants to skin a stinkin coyote for nothing. Doug

 

[varmintshooter]

I would go with a 222 or 223. I shoot about 150 fox and a few coyote a year and either will work well at said distance. This year I am shooting a 223 and have only had a few blowouts when shooting fox with 50 gr vmax. Most of the time there is no exit on fox

 

[STOMP442]

100 yards and in the 22 Mag will do anything you need. Out to 200 the good ol 223 is hard to beat. My oldest brother hunts coyotes almost exclusively with a 22 mag but our longest shots are probably right at 100 yards. I use a 52gr Berger Varmint in my AR and I can count on one hand how many exit holes I have had. I have been very pleased with that bullet, performance wise.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I always go back to my 17 rem when there is an even mix of red fox and coyote. I load the 25 gr Berger mef(match varmint) for fox. And the 29-30 gr hp for coyote. If a single bullet for both Hornady 25 gr hollow point. I shoot mostly for fur, not shooting a fox for fun at all.

 

[Gary in MD]

257 Weatherby & 87 grain Sierras @ 3850 fps

 

[Webster]

So I've got bit by a bug to hunt predators on our land and we're covered up in fox moreso than coyote. I had been using my 6mm Creedmoor but I want to be able to save the pelts as well so I'd like to add to my collection.

On the fields for the new rifle I'm thinking about, shots will range from 50-200 yards at the treeline. However, if any coyote pop up I would like to be able to take one too.

If I'm hunting the bigger fields that range out to 400-500 yards I'd choose to take my 6CM but I'm not sure which bullet I should use that won't blow a huge hole in a fox.

I've seen advice to use everything from 17WSM to .243/6CM.

I appreciate thoughts and advice on cartridge/ bullet combinations. I set the poll to allow y'all to choose two choices. Thank you!

6br or 6brx.

 

[CJ6]

257 Weatherby & 87 grain Sierras @ 3850 fps

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

 

[DiRTY DOG]

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.

And it will too often pop a fox open, like stepping on a banana. Been there, done that, but at around 3600ish. Not many run offs (none)!