Looking for input on new coyote gun

[skypilot]

Just understand that impact velocity, impact area(bone or soft tissue) and bullet construction determine pelt damage for the most part.

If you are looking for less pelt damage use a less expanding type bullet regardless of caliber.

Or learn to sew. Graders expect pelts to have bullet holes, not all coyotes sold are trapped or roadkill.

 

[Camp Cook]

35 plus years ago when I first got interested in coyote hunting I was reading everything I could about it.

Turns out one of the prefered hunting rounds for the professionals was a 300 Win mag with good old regular 180gr spitzer hunting bullets.

The bullets were moving fast enough to not open up on coyotes = small hole in small hole out but it killed them they may run off a bit but you always got them.

I can attest to this I started with a 30-06 then moved to a 308 Norma mag loaded with 180gr bullets it killed coyotes with just about the least amount of fur damage I've ever seen other than a 223.

Most shrapnel damage was with Sierra 110gr HP's in the 30-06 shredded the off side of every coyote I shot with them.

 

[hoytcanon]

35 plus years ago when I first got interested in coyote hunting I was reading everything I could about it.

Turns out one of the prefered hunting rounds for the professionals was a 300 Win mag with good old regular 180gr spitzer hunting bullets.

The bullets were moving fast enough to not open up on coyotes = small hole in small hole out but it killed them they may run off a bit but you always got them.

I can attest to this I started with a 30-06 then moved to a 308 Norma mag loaded with 180gr bullets it killed coyotes with just about the least amount of fur damage I've ever seen other than a 223.

Most shrapnel damage was with Sierra 110gr HP's in the 30-06 shredded the off side of every coyote I shot with them.

I agree, we often use 7mm-08's loaded with 120 grain SST's and they kill cleanly with very little fur damage... as do .243's with typical deer loads.

 

[hoytcanon]

Double tap...

 

[Eagleye]

Lighter Ballistic Tips at top velocities often will not exit a coyote, particularly if the shot is not broadside.

Another bullet I used with considerable "hide saving" success is the old, large hollowpoint 52 grain Speer flatbase.
However, you give up a bit of BC with this bullet.

No matter what you use, the occasional hide will be lost due to offside damage. Even solids tumble sometimes, causing havoc to the hide.

I used to purposely try to get angled shots, rather than broadside, since then the bullet was less likely to exit.

As has been already noted, bullets designed for larger animals will usually do less pelt damage as well.

Regards, Dave.

 

[browningmr]

When they are running flat out at 200 yards away from you.Well any hit is a good hit.100 grain 243 does trick.

 

[Camp Cook]

Most fun I ever had on a coyote was years ago caught it out in the middle of a 600 yard plus hillside up on the Douglas Lake ranch.

Had my long gone Ruger M77 tang safety in 300 Win mag with me took 4 shots to get it had to aim 1 1/2 body lengths ahead + it was zigzagging so also held for the zag.

Last shot was appr 300 yards back then cause I shot so much it was skill today to repeat a shot like that would be schit house luck.

 

[CJM]

Sako 85 varmint in 223?

 

[krausb]

Thanks everyone for the input. After much deliberation, Yesterday I went ahead and ordered the Browning Predator Hunter in .223 from P&D. It was a lot of back and forth between it and a Tikka, but after seeing a lot of good info about Brownings in this thread, it clinched the deal and I decided my original gut feeling was what I would go with.

My conclusion is that both Tikka and Browning are quality guns in the same general price range but for my dollar, the browning really delivers with features such as a glass bedded action and hand polished chamber. I really like Browning's Dura-Touch stock as well. Not to mention the 60 degree bolt throw. And because I know I'm going to want spare magazines to hold different loads while out in the field, Browning's $65 magazines will be a bit easier on my wallet than Tikka's $100 mags.

Now to find the right scope...

 

[AWOL]

Thanks everyone for the input. After much deliberation, Yesterday I went ahead and ordered the Browning Predator Hunter in .223 from P&D. It was a lot of back and forth between it and a Tikka, but after seeing a lot of good info about Brownings in this thread, it clinched the deal and I decided my original gut feeling was what I would go with.

My conclusion is that both Tikka and Browning are quality guns in the same general price range but for my dollar, the browning really delivers with features such as a glass bedded action and hand polished chamber. I really like Browning's Dura-Touch stock as well. Not to mention the 60 degree bolt throw. And because I know I'm going to want spare magazines to hold different loads while out in the field, Browning's $65 magazines will be a bit easier on my wallet than Tikka's $100 mags.

Now to find the right scope...

Nice grab, congrats.

 

[krausb]

Thanks!