Best .22 cal bullet weight for coyotes?

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Stevo94

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I know I'm opening a huge can of worms here, but I want to shoot some coyotes and make a trapper hat from the hides. So, naturally, I don't want to blow a huge exit hole in the other side!!

I will be using a .22-250 and I reload my own ammo. I'm partial to Sierra bullets and I've been eyeing up the bllitzking bullets. My question is (doesn't have to be a Sierra bullet) what is a good bullet weight for 200-300 yd (on average) shots?
 
Depends on the twist of your .22-250, but most are in the 1-14 range, and they usually like bullets in the 50-55 gr class. The Sierra BK will work, as will the Hornady Vmax or Nosler BT, particularly if you try to avoid the shoulder.
 
My favorite hide saving bullet for the '250 is the 52 grain Berger Varmint Match. Your 1-9 opens up some heavy bullet possibilites. I killed a pile of coyotes with 75 gr Hornady BTHP Match, they laugh at wind at longer ranges.
One thing that you may find with your 1-9. You can get a hundred honest assessments of bullet performance from guys shooting 1-14 twists. Spin the same bullet 50% faster and you may find yourself wondering if they are all retarded.
 
For shots within 300 yards, using a 22-250 or 220 Swift, the Speer 52 grain HPFB bullet has been my go-to slug. Often fails to exit and kills like lightning. The BC is fairly low, so long shots are tougher. Regards, Eagleye.
 
The Sierra Bulletsmiths advised me to try out their 60gr HP Varminter stating that it is far more accurate than anyone believes.

I bought them and loaded them to 3550fps with IMR4064 powder accurate is right shot my last wolf @ 220 yards shot broad side thru the lungs with this load the wolf hit the ground dead before I came out of recoil.
 
Not a "huge can of worms" at all. Most medium weight bullets will work well for your intended purpose, there is no one "best" - so if someone suggests a "best" it probably is - for them and their rifle. The real heavy bullets may be better for long range, but will often blow a big exit hole. The real light ones kill very well on broadside rib shots, and usually won't exit, but may blow up on a shoulder, and don't retain velocity or buck wind as well as heavier slugs. In-between is likely "just right"
 
I have been using Nosler 69 grain bthp's this year in my .223 and I have noticed that it is anchoring them with more authority at longer ranges than my old 55 grain load. The 55 grain load performed well, but the 69 grainer seems to just plain hit harder. I imagine that this would be even more so in the .22-250.
 
I've used 60 gr Vmax and it has worked quite well but can be iffy with damage to fur. I am going to try to use a 40 gr Vmax and 45 gr TSX next if I ever get some time to go hunting....
 
If you like Sierras and you don't want to blow em all to crud , try the Sierra 53 gr. match H.P.
They shoot like crazy in my 22-250 Tikka and being a match bullet they don't open up too much. It doesn't take much to kill a bush mutt.
 
The BT may penetrate a little more than you want, and for 200-300 yards shots I would pick a 50-55gr Blitzking or V-Max, and call it a day. You don't need super high BC for 300 yard shooting, and the 50ish gr bullets tend not to exit.
 
Thanks guys...awesome info. I think I'm going to try something in the 55-60ish range and see how that works. I'll be sure to post results as I've never actually shot a coyote yet!! Hopefully soon....
 
I use 40 grain Hornady bullets. No exit holes or pelt damage .................as long as you do not hit any shoulder bone or spine. However that goes for any bullet you shoot.
Gawd, 60 grain bullets are deer bullets.
 
Im no genious here,
but don't lighter,shorter bullets need faster spin to stabileze, Such as the 1-9 twist...VS 1-14 Twist for the heavier and longer bullets
 
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