hunting coyotes with a .308?
- Thread starter cdnred
- Start date
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
If you don't care about pelts than whatever you want.
If you want pelts, this isn't really the cartridge for it...but, I have read of guys using light 130gr HP's, or lighter, and loading them light, say 2500 fps or less, and doing pretty well with that.
I actually just bought some 110gr HP's from the EE to do just that for my dad, who doesn't have a dedicated coyote rifle.
If you want pelts, this isn't really the cartridge for it...but, I have read of guys using light 130gr HP's, or lighter, and loading them light, say 2500 fps or less, and doing pretty well with that.
I actually just bought some 110gr HP's from the EE to do just that for my dad, who doesn't have a dedicated coyote rifle.
Make sure you're in the part of the country/province where you can use that size calibre as in Ont you can't use anything larger than .270 cal.
I used one with 135 grn Berger hollow points. It was built on a Remington 700 with a 1-15 twist Hart barrel. It also had a 1 1/2oz trigger. It was my old Hunter Bench Rest Rifle. It was topped by a 6x Burris with Mil dot reticle. The rifle weighed in at 10 lbs as HBR rules stated. Very accurate rifle. I sold that rifle to a fellow that converted it to 6ppc. Oh well. If your rifle has a longer throat, you are stuck with longer bullets if you want to keep accurate. If you're building one, go for a 1-12 or 1-15 twist rate. A good trigger helps a lot as well. The nice thing about heavier bullets is wind drift doesn't bite you so hard. I now use a Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 with 95grn Hornady bullets. Pretty much the same thing when compared to velocities and trajectories. Just remember, coyotes have a cross section somewhere between 4inches and 6inches. A really big fellow or crossbreed will go as deep as 9inches. Then there is at least 4inches of hair at the top and bottom.
I have eaten coyote, it's not bad at all. I hate skinning them though, they stink like hell. Mind you I don't like cleaning chickens either. Now, when it comes to good eating, those big marmots are absolutely delicious. Mind you, their hides are tough to get off and they smell like chickens when you clean them. They are better than rabbit. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
"...best .308 cartridge set up to hunt coyotes..." Where you are might matter. Parts of Southern Ontario don't allow .30 cal rifles for small game. As does whether or not you're reloading. However, if you don't care about having a nice coyote fur jacket or hood collar, your deer load will do nicely. Varmint hunting, in general, is great practice for deer season. The coyote won't care.
You will need full camouflage and a good blind. Wiley is a smart fellow.
If you are reloading, work up a load using 125 or 130 grain bullets. Easier on your shoulder than a deer load. Commercial FMJ's if you want the hides. Think in terms of having a place to tan or going to a professional tanner/taxidermist.
"...don't eat it do you?..." You can. You want some recipes? Otherwise, the carcass is bait for more coyotes, if baiting is legal where you are.
"...hides are worthless..." It isn't always about selling the hides.
You will need full camouflage and a good blind. Wiley is a smart fellow.
If you are reloading, work up a load using 125 or 130 grain bullets. Easier on your shoulder than a deer load. Commercial FMJ's if you want the hides. Think in terms of having a place to tan or going to a professional tanner/taxidermist.
"...don't eat it do you?..." You can. You want some recipes? Otherwise, the carcass is bait for more coyotes, if baiting is legal where you are.
"...hides are worthless..." It isn't always about selling the hides.
I've shot coyotes with 110gr VMax, 125gr Ballistic Tip and 165gr Ballistic Tip.
The smaller bullets produce HUGE exit holes. I think the VMax left a 3 inch round exit hole and the inside of the coyote looked like blood soup. Kills them DEAD though.
The smaller bullets produce HUGE exit holes. I think the VMax left a 3 inch round exit hole and the inside of the coyote looked like blood soup. Kills them DEAD though.
Here we go again...
I'm using 110gr V-max in mine...And I'm in Ontario...
For factory ammo, I'd use the cheapest load that shot well...
Well it just depends on what part of Ontario your in.
from the regs:
The holder of a small game licence may not use a rifle of
greater calibre than .275, except a flintlock or percussion
cap muzzle-loading gun, for hunting small game in the
counties of Brant, Elgin, Essex, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex,
Northumberland, Oxford, Perth and Wellington and the
regional municipalities of Chatham/Kent, Durham, the
former regional municipalities of Haldimand-Norfolk and
Hamilton-Wentworth, Halton, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo and
York and the City of Toronto.
