Suggestions for coyote caliber.

[Lone Hunter]

Look at a .22-250. If you want small bullets shoot the 40 gr Nosler B.T. They shoot flat and explode nicely. Good Luck with your build.

 

[Hackberry]

Kenny,

Try different powders for the bullets you want to use in your .308 - it's rare when you can't find at least one powder that will do what you want it to. You can also check into reduced loads on the Hodgdon Powder site, they have some info on reduced loads with H-4895 that may change the barrel harmonics on your rifle and turn it into a completely new gun. There are many powder choices for you these days - give some more powders a try!

 

[ForneyRider]

I downloaded my 7mm Mag with 120gr Nosler BT's and IMR 4064 to 7mm-08 level. The exit wound was same size as the entrance wound.

 

[Kenny474]

I received my .224 Shilen barrel today, still waiting for brass and dies to load dummy rounds to send in for the reamers. I should be getting my trigger soon as well, so things should start taking shape in a month or so.

The barrel channel in the stock has been opened up for the fatter barrel as well, just used a 1.25" and a 1" ball end mill and was actually really easy. The barrel will be fully floated with plenty of air gap for cooling.

I have also been working on light bullet loads for the .308 and a few cast bullet loads as well. I have 110gr round nose and hollow points grouping under and inch now very consistently, and 160gr and 200gr cast grouping about 1" and a 110gr mold on the way. I figure I should be able to get good results from one of these if needed, as the 6BR and 22BR barrels may not be ready for the first few weeks of hunting.
I am going to a large farm this weekend to see if I can try the .308 on some woodchucks so I can get an idea on the damage it's going to cause. I'm thinking maybe I can get some kind of idea on what bullets do less damage, but the chucks are a bit smaller so I don't know if it will truly be relevant, but it's the best and only chance I've got right now. The farmer says they are everywhere, so hopefully I will have a target rich environment.

I may see if I can get the .243 barrel from the Savage donor rifle to shoot as well, though I have a lot on my plate already so it might end up sitting for a while. I did buy dies, brass and a few boxes of bullets, so if I have time I might load up a few, screw on the barrel
and hit the range.

Thanks for reading and posting.
Kenny

 

[Kenny474]

Figure I may as well update on my progress, as I forgot after my little trip to the farm.

The .308 was devastating with the 110HP's on the chucks, nearly tearing them in half. Not what I was hoping for. But the 110RN's were a bit easier on the chucks and may be a viable option. The cast bullets I tried are very hard and didn't expand at all, so they may be good for saving the hide, though I want to make sure it can kill them cleanly as well. The sad part is the farmer told me that about 2 hours after I left, just as it was getting dark, there were 3 coyotes roaming the field. If only I had stuck around I would have had 3 perfect test subjects.
I also did a little shooting with the .243 barrel, 40 rounds worth, and it's gouping about .75". Though that was only the last 2 groups, so it could be a fluke. But it's good enough for a back-up barrel.

Now for the build. I finally have brass and dies, so I should be loading some dummy rounds soon, though I may call Dave Kiff and ask for a little advise before I do so. The trigger has arrived as well and has been installed and tuned to about 10oz, though I need to do a bit more drop testing with the heavier barrel installed before I call it good.

 

[AckleymanII]

Kenny, I have yet to see any 308 not shoot this load well:

125g-135g Bullet
49-52g of Win 748

Expect tiny groups, great speed.

I have shot this load in perhaps two dozen or more 308's, Rem, Win, Rugers, and a Mossburg.

I killed two very large bucks using 51.5g of 748 (3150 fps) with the No longer made Sierra Single 135g shot pistol bullet, DRT

I like putting very large holes in coyotes. The Nosler 125g Ballistic tip should be fantastic, and Speer makes a 30cal TNT that should grenade a yote!

Win 748 is the key to light bullets, right up close to a max load is where I have always seen the best accuracy!

 

[sscoyote]

Couple years ago there was a guy out of Iowa who was using a factory Sav. 308 tweaked a bit here and there and killing dogs at 500 yds. very consistently. He was using the Federal 168 gr. match bullet factory load i guess.

Here's my coyote rig for this year. Sav. Super Striker 22-250/8 twist McGowen/65 JLK Low Drag @ about 3100. These are 1st shot connections at 325,400, and 525--

I'd take a look at the JLK Low Drags for coyotes out of that rig of yours. 12 twist should stabilize the 60, no problem.

 

[CT10ring]

Kenny,
I have a 1/10 twist Ed Brown that shoots 110 Sierra HP into small groups. Have you tried these? I use Lapua brass, H335 ( 46.0g ?)and BR-2's. I called Sierra techs & they gave me this load, although I do not have data & OAL in front of me. Point is, I think you'd have a great load for coyotes with this, with the rifle you have. I have shot P dog's w this load, not yotes. I was shocked how well the 1/10 twist shot the 110g's. My .02 & good luck.

 

[Kenny474]

Ctshooter, I am using the same Sierra 110 HP's you speak of, as well as their 110 RN's with 48gr of Accurate 2460 and putting them into .75"@100yds. The barrel has been improving a good bit since it was new and groups better every time I shoot it. The HP is great on varmints, but I worry it may do too much damage on a coyote. I will try the HP and RN if I get a shot and see which works best, though I hope to have my 6BR/22BR done before too long.

SSCoyote, I love the striker you have. I have always wanted one, but I have yet to plop down the cash.
I will try the JLK's when I get the 22BR up and running, they look as though they can definitely shoot well.

I may also look into the Win748 as well. Though I am looking to save the hide and avoid total devastation.

 

[sscoyote]

Good luck with them--i haven't seen many 22's that they didn't best the accuracy of.

Talked a buddy into using them out of his 22 Middlested (52 grainers) and he was getting consistent .5-1.0" @ 200 yds. He said the bullet was somewhat destructive on dogs though. Of course that's a biiigg case he was running them out of.