Small game centerfire cartridges

Suther said:
If you want to eat it and don't want to rely on headshots I can't help but feel like 22lr or 22wmr is the obvious answer?
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THIS!

While 22rf and 22mag would be the best solutions for small edible game, they are not the best choice for coyotes. Yes they can kill a coyote but the reliability won't be there. Coyotes deserve something more powerful.

I have a 17 Fireball and a 221 Fireball and both those would be excellent for coyotes out to 100-150yds. Beyond that there are loads of choices.
 
nowarningshot said:
25/20 sounds about right, probably 22 hornet as well. Pushing past sonic, about 1040ft/sec should need gas checks.

I would think finding a cheapish 22 hornet would be easy, absolute beater 25/20 as well. Decent 25/20 would be spendy, bonus there is you could carry a short range capable Deer load.

Gas checks and suitable molds would be medium hard. Personally a 22 hornet would give you better choices and available components.
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I'd never carry this rifle in an area that would have a centerfire season for deer. It'll be just for plinking and bunnies and squirrels and the odd coyote if one happens by within 30 or 40 yards
 
brybenn said:
I used to use a 22mag for shooting coyotes on frozen creeks. It worked great but shots were never further than 40 or 50 yards
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What is your goal with regards to coyotes? I assume you don't plan to eat them? Are you doing pest control around your property, hunting them for pelts to sell, or something else entirely?
 
Suther said:
What is your goal with regards to coyotes? I assume you don't plan to eat them? Are you doing pest control around your property, hunting them for pelts to sell, or something else entirely?
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Pest control but I had a guy that took the pelts. When I lived on the farm they were a problem taking my ducklings and teasing my dogs. Wasn't until I got my mastiff that they stopped coming into the yard. I also shot a few in the driveway. Now I live in town and only hunt them because the landowners ask me to. They have livestock and horses. Seems like only orchid owners like them.
 
Since the post asks about centre fire small game cartridges.I would go with the .25-20 or .218 Bee.I have a .25-20 and it is a quite accurate rifle.
 
28 gauge said:
Since the post asks about centre fire small game cartridges.I would go with the .25-20 or .218 Bee.I have a .25-20 and it is a quite accurate rifle.
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Do you use the 2520 on game? How is it and what bullet do you use?
I would think a hard cast 60gr flat nose would do less damage than a fragmenting 22 cal
 
brybenn said:
I'm interested in this one for sure. How would it compare to a loaded down 256wm(357 mag necked down)? I even thought about using a 38sp case and seeing if I could modify the 256wm dies for the shorter case
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Would be very similar, but much easier to make just fire it in the chamber with pistol powder and cream of wheat, or just expand in one pass to .25 and first loading would be a perfect one for a cast to fireform and make filled out brass.
 
brybenn said:
Do you use the 2520 on game? How is it and what bullet do you use?
I would think a hard cast 60gr flat nose would do less damage than a fragmenting 22 cal
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Read the posting from the Guy who's handle is "35remington" Lots of info there on 25-20 loads to suit most every application. www. marlinowners.com/threads/25-20-reloaders.26002/
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I have a 9mm flobert with round ball and CB caps is pretty far ahead of the game getter and legal in my area as it's a rimfire. I'm not allowed to hunt small game with a centerfire night than 275cal
 
i've read articles of people using the 38 special for small game. slow bullet didn't make much damage supposedly. with the non availability of primers these days i can't see the purpose at present
 
brybenn said:
Do you use the 2520 on game? How is it and what bullet do you use?
I would think a hard cast 60gr flat nose would do less damage than a fragmenting 22 cal
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So far I have used my .25-20 only on targets.The few times I took the rifle hunting, I had no luck seeing any thing.Use a hand loaded Hornady 60 grain bullet.Recently purchased some factory loaded 86 grain ammunition ,that I plan on trying the next time I get to the range.
 
gday im late to the party, but il chip in sight unseen.
i have 22lr, had 22mag, got 22horn an 222rem..... for smaller game an not so much destruction, hand loading the hornet with a bullet that wont explode would be best i rekon.
magnum is good also with RN or SP whatever, but lacks the point an shoot ability of the CFs , an i think the 222 just makes quite the mess on most things? lol
 
brybenn said:
Do you use the 2520 on game? How is it and what bullet do you use?
I would think a hard cast 60gr flat nose would do less damage than a fragmenting 22 cal
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this reminds me o using a old 25-20 lever on some large grey 'rabbits' , it was a dandy little thing with no major mess as above!
they were just standard winchester super x? or something--

if we get to go all fancy like that, yeahhh- even re chambering into a bolt rifle.... ooft

talking about Cast opens new doors a bit really.... most anything can shoot cast at the 25-20 velocity or more, to deem it as useful... eg- plain ol boring ol 308win..:rolleyes: almost certain no explosions..
 
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