Bullets for coyote in .222 Rem.

[josquin]

I have a couple of boxes of 55 gr. here- Hornady #2265 SP and Sierra #1345 Blitz "Med vel." (which I take to mean "not for the 22. Swift!"). Is either of these good coyote medicine or might they open too fast?

Stuart

 

[rmkm70]

remington powerlokt hollow points work great if your a pelt hunter.

 

[Eagleye]

The Blitz will work fine at 222 velocities. Regards, Eagleye.

 

[dan belisle]

either one is fine, i usually use Hornady 52 gr BTHPs. - dan

 

[todbartell]

I'd try 50 grain Ballistic tips

 

[josquin]

Thanks for the input, folks. At the moment this is for possible "predator control" so pelt condition isn't a primary factor, although neither is vaporization of the critter.

Stuart

 

[toomanyhobbies]

If you've got 'em, use 'em.

I have used the medium velocity Sierra 1340 Blitz 50 grain in my .222, they are extremely accurate. Tried them in my .223 with a 1:9" twist, and around 3600 fps, and they disintegrate.

Eric

 

[Scott_N]

I've always found that the fast expanding "medium" velocity bullets like the Blitz or Hornady SX work great out of my 222. Quite often they will not exit and can be very fur friendly bullets.

 

[The Baron]

IMHO, the Hornady SP's should be great. The Blitz's should kill like lightning if no major bone is hit, but I have read the super-explosive varmint bullets (Blitz, VMax, etc) can "splash" on coyote bone and not get good penetration. However, a .222 isn't going to throw those 55's too fast, so you might be alright. I'd say load 'em up and give it a try. Neither bullet is a poor choice, and there's no better data than first hand experience.

 

[Suputin]

Is either of these good coyote medicine or might they open too fast?

How could a bullet open up too fast for use on coyotes?

I have read the super-explosive varmint bullets (Blitz, VMax, etc) can "splash" on coyote bone and not get good penetration.

RIGHT........ I'd believe that when I saw it. Coyotes are pretty thin skinned. Do you really think a bullet travelling at mach 2.5 is not going to penetrate?

Small, high velocity explosive bullets result in near instant death as long as the hit is decently placed.

 

[The Baron]

Do you really think a bullet travelling at mach 2.5 is not going to penetrate?

I have both heard and read numorous reports of bullet splash with the thin-jacketed varmint bullets, causing severe but very shallow wounds and a coyote that had to be found and finished off. All reports have indicated that the higher the velocity, the more pronounced the problem.

But I'm open minded, so maybe all the other reliable sources I have heard this from are all wrong. What is your first hand experience, Supitin? How many coyotes have you shot with high-velocity varmint bullets?

 

[Suputin]

? How many coyotes have you shot with high-velocity varmint bullets?

Enough.

 

[CV32]

Small, high velocity explosive bullets result in near instant death as long as the hit is decently placed.

I assume you mean "frangible" when you say "explosive", but in any event, the bolded section above is the kicker.

The varmint rounds like the Hornady Vmax, Sierra Blitz King, Barnes Varminator, Barnes Varmint Grenade, etc, are designed to come apart virtually on impact. I can put a 32 gr Vmax 204 Ruger bullet through a 1/4 inch steel plate at 100 yards like it was butter, but the same bullet will disintegrate into dust only halfway through a two inch thick hardcover book at the same distance.

When using these bullets, if you hit a shoulder bone or the hit is made at an awkward angle (where the bullet hits ribs or bones), the wound may be large but shallow, and the animal may run off to die elsewhere. There is simply less margin for error (if your objective is DRT) when using these bullets.

 

[The Baron]

Enough.

OK... obviously you're not interested or willing to share your experience on this topic with the rest of us.