Fur Bullets for Coyotes

[Akcharlie]

50 grain hornady sx worked very well for me in a 222 at 3100 with little pelt damage when shot behind shoulder or in head

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Besides shooting coyote with 50 gr SX, I shoot pest raccoon and opossum. Usually around farm cat feed/cat house at night, very seldom get an exit. Most are shot inside 75 yards with 223 Rem. Usually inside 50 yards.

 

[SD guy]

I know fur doesn't sell for much nowadays but I'd like to get a fur gun so that I can start putting together a collection at my own house.

I've been looking at a lot of 17 cal and 20 cal cartridges to build into an AR and I've been reading through old conversations about which would work best. I've narrowed it down to four: 17 Tactical, 17-223, 20 Practical, and 204 Ruger but I can't make up my mind...

However, that's not the question I have here. I want to try and make my current AR which is chambered in .223 Remington and turn it into an optimal fur gun. Have you guys had success in shooting something around the 40 gr range with .223 Remington. I've been shooting 55 gr V-Max for a bit and it does a little too much damage on pelts for my taste.

I'm wondering if I can make my .223 Remington work as a pelt gun before I start getting into the smaller stuff. Any comparisons with .17 and .20 cal bullets are welcomed.

Yes, & No. you can experience good pelt preservation with the 223. though you need to do your part. Bullet selection can have a very significant impact on outcome with the pelt preservation.

Shot placement can make a big difference. if you are shooting a high velocity plastic tip explosive projectile and you hit the front shoulder bone don't be surprised if it blows up. You hit low on the hide or high on the hide, Don't be surprised if you blow through.

Velocity can make a difference if your projectile is moving at 2700 ft./s on impact as opposed to 3400 ft./s on impact. The explosive effect might be a little less exaggerated generally to your favor if you're trying to save the pelt.

 

[bullseyeshtr]

204 out of an AR is a good go to for coyotes for fur. 35berger, 39tnt, 40 berger and 40 bibs. Had very good luck with all 4. 32NBT at mach chicken has been working in my 20 tactical bolt rifle. I'm very partial to 20 cals on coyotes, 204 in an AR, 20 Tactical and 20BR-55bergers in bolt rifles.

 

[Bleebs]

Yes, & No. you can experience good pelt preservation with the 223. though you need to do your part. Bullet selection can have a very significant impact on outcome with the pelt preservation.

Shot placement can make a big difference. if you are shooting a high velocity plastic tip explosive projectile and you hit the front shoulder bone don't be surprised if it blows up. You hit low on the hide or high on the hide, Don't be surprised if you blow through.

Velocity can make a difference if your projectile is moving at 2700 ft./s on impact as opposed to 3400 ft./s on impact. The explosive effect might be a little less exaggerated generally to your favor if you're trying to save the pelt.

Very good advice! Thank you.

 

[Bleebs]

204 out of an AR is a good go to for coyotes for fur. 35berger, 39tnt, 40 berger and 40 bibs. Had very good luck with all 4. 32NBT at mach chicken has been working in my 20 tactical bolt rifle. I'm very partial to 20 cals on coyotes, 204 in an AR, 20 Tactical and 20BR-55bergers in bolt rifles.

Do you have experience with a 20 Practical out of an AR-15? Any reason that you prefer the 204 Ruger out of an AR-15?

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I use a 20p AR for coyote, put it together instead of the 204R because of cheap brass and deep snow. I have shot coyote with 32 vmax, 35 and 40 gr Berger, 39 gr BK, 40 gr NBT and 40 gr BIB. Didn't like the inconsistent penetration from the 32vm and 39 Bk. I have some of the 32vm for raccoons/opossum and barn rats and thermal on the 20p for the summer. It makes rats vaporize at 25 yards at night(outside not in buildings).

 

[bullseyeshtr]

Do you have experience with a 20 Practical out of an AR-15? Any reason that you prefer the 204 Ruger out of an AR-15?

I did a 204 because I bought the upper off my brother cheap and just stuck with it. My hunting buddy also runs one. Its also very simple all across the board. I think a 20P would be just as good if you want to go that way. 32 vmax and 39bk are not what I consider anything other than prairie dog bullets based on the performance I've had and seen on over a dozen coyotes with each.

 

[Bleebs]

I did a 204 because I bought the upper off my brother cheap and just stuck with it. My hunting buddy also runs one. Its also very simple all across the board. I think a 20P would be just as good if you want to go that way. 32 vmax and 39bk are not what I consider anything other than prairie dog bullets based on the performance I've had and seen on over a dozen coyotes with each.

In my debate for my fur gun, the 204R vs 20P has come up a lot as well as the 17 TAC vs 17 Rem. In both cases, it seems like the wildcat cartridge has the edge but since I generally like to buy factory loads for my gas guns, I almost want to lean towards the SAAMI approved cartridges.

Any problems feeding with the 204R?

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

From my research, mag selection is important for the 204R in an AR. But gas control in AR is a factor and users who report mag issues may not have tuned the gas system properly. I know my 17 Rem and 20p function correctly with SS,alum and plastic mags. I have ran 556 brass formed to 17 Rem also(winter snow and no brass catcher) as to not lose 17 Rem brass. I now run short brass goat catchers, no lose worries.

 

[bullseyeshtr]

In my debate for my fur gun, the 204R vs 20P has come up a lot as well as the 17 TAC vs 17 Rem. In both cases, it seems like the wildcat cartridge has the edge but since I generally like to buy factory loads for my gas guns, I almost want to lean towards the SAAMI approved cartridges.

Any problems feeding with the 204R?

Never. I use lancer mags 20rd and also metal 20rd mags. You can't fill them all the way up but about 18rds in them. Straight mags or ones with minimal curvature is what I always did. Also haven't had any issues at all. I run a brass goat to catch empties. I run a bootlegger adjustable bolt to blead gas since I run suppressed. Buddy runs suppressed with a std gas block. We both have silent capture recoil springs but no increase in weights.

 

[RegionRat]

Any problems feeding with the 204R?

I have had no issues at all with running 204R in the ARs. I just use the same magazines I run for 556/223 and have never had an issue. I'm mostly Magpul 10 round mags on prairie dog runs these days.
ETA: these were WOA uppers.