Sure its been done, but best yotey gun
- Thread starter jogforfun
- Start date
I have whacked a truckload of 'yotes over the years, and I believe that your bullet choice can make a lot of difference regarding hide damage.
The vast majority of 'yotes I have taken were with the 220 Swift. Initially I found that hide damage was unacceptable with any bullet over 50 grains, with one exception.
It gives up a bit of BC, but the Speer 52 grain HP, with the larger open nose did not exit coyotes 90% of the time. Started at right around 4000 fps, they made a pinhole in and then disintegrated.
Needless to say, the coyotes died pretty quickly. I now shoot the 40 grain Ballistic Tip at around 4150, with similar results.
I would think that the 22-250, only giving up 150-200 fps to the Swift should be fine as well. FMJ bullets are not legal is some jurisdictions, and they do often tumble, causing serious damage to pelts as well.
My experience with the 243, 6mm Remington and 25-06 has all been: Great killing power, but substantial damage to pelts..
A shot at a coyote standing face on or facing away can allow the bullet to stay in, but other presentations....not so good.
After all is said and done, the 222/223 chamberings will do 95% of your coyote harvesting with minimum fuss and bother.
I have no personal experience with the 204, so cannot comment.
Regards, Dave.
The vast majority of 'yotes I have taken were with the 220 Swift. Initially I found that hide damage was unacceptable with any bullet over 50 grains, with one exception.
It gives up a bit of BC, but the Speer 52 grain HP, with the larger open nose did not exit coyotes 90% of the time. Started at right around 4000 fps, they made a pinhole in and then disintegrated.
Needless to say, the coyotes died pretty quickly. I now shoot the 40 grain Ballistic Tip at around 4150, with similar results.
I would think that the 22-250, only giving up 150-200 fps to the Swift should be fine as well. FMJ bullets are not legal is some jurisdictions, and they do often tumble, causing serious damage to pelts as well.
My experience with the 243, 6mm Remington and 25-06 has all been: Great killing power, but substantial damage to pelts..
A shot at a coyote standing face on or facing away can allow the bullet to stay in, but other presentations....not so good.
After all is said and done, the 222/223 chamberings will do 95% of your coyote harvesting with minimum fuss and bother.
I have no personal experience with the 204, so cannot comment.
Regards, Dave.
As above 25/06 great caliber. Not fur friendly usually. I did shoot an 85 lb female wolf at 50/60 yards thru both front shoulders with a 117 gr interlock. Exit was only twoonie size. Any varmint bullet expect a hole that a 5x7 photo of you and your rifle can fill nicely
Since your looking for something to hump around for occasional shots while trapping, I'd avoid the 10-12lb heavy barrel varmint rifles. A synthetic stocked hunting rifle in 223 would fit the bill and be easy to pack around all day if needed. I used a Stevens 200 in 223 with an improved trigger for a number of years. Great 'keep it handy' coyote gun. 223 is cheap and fairly easy on pelts.
TacticalTeacher
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Georgian Bay, ON
I'm rocking a .22-250 in a Remmy 700 with a Leupold MK4 target 4.5 x 14 x 40mm for carrying around. I am launching 50 gr Vmax booolits, YMMV. I'm not too worried about pelt damage!
Cheers and keep helping the noobs around here!
Barney
Cheers and keep helping the noobs around here!
Barney
I have wondered about this myself. 22-250 or 223 is what I have been reading in various places lately.
243 is also mentioned a fair bit but I have seen the potential damage this does and it can be excessive if your aim is to keep pelts.
243 is also mentioned a fair bit but I have seen the potential damage this does and it can be excessive if your aim is to keep pelts.
I would agree with this. I do prefer the 22-250 for coyotes but I don't worry about the fur. 223 is cheap and easy to find (usually) and will kill them nicely.
how hard is the 22-250 on fur? I did a net search and the holes look about the same for the 223 and 22/250, has any one shot both? I know the 22/50 is a lot faster but is it really going to look like I shot the thing with a 06?
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My buddy just put together a stainless/synthetic stocked Tikka T3 in 243 with a VX3 4.5-14X40mm LR side focus 30mm tube Varmint reticle scope he is using this rifle exclusively for coyotes at their families cattle ranch.
He will be loading/shooting 80gr Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint bullets he bought 400 of them off the EE yesterday.
Myself I'm going to be using single shot T/C Contender carbines in 204 Ruger with 32gr V-Max - 223 with 40gr V-Max - 6.8SPC with 95gr TTSX going to dig out my old Ruger M77 tang safety in 22-250 as well.
Haven't shot a coyote with a 204 yet looking forward to seeing how it performs.
I can't remember if I have ever loaded my 22-250 with 40gr V-Max but plan on giving it a try normally load 52gr Speer - 55gr anything.
He will be loading/shooting 80gr Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint bullets he bought 400 of them off the EE yesterday.
Myself I'm going to be using single shot T/C Contender carbines in 204 Ruger with 32gr V-Max - 223 with 40gr V-Max - 6.8SPC with 95gr TTSX going to dig out my old Ruger M77 tang safety in 22-250 as well.
Haven't shot a coyote with a 204 yet looking forward to seeing how it performs.
I can't remember if I have ever loaded my 22-250 with 40gr V-Max but plan on giving it a try normally load 52gr Speer - 55gr anything.
How far do you usually see coyotes at ? If your shots are on the short side of 100 yard you can't go wrong with a 22 magnum, the price is right and for fur busines it's kind of a smart thing to do. It's not as fun as a 220 swift or a 22-250 rem but hey such is life.
If you need to reach out a couple hundred yards, the 223 rem is a good choice, ammo is easy to find and the price is good.
Your average distance should really be the big factor in your choice followed by access to amunition ie price, availability, etc.
Other factors like multi tasking need to be considered, are you going to harvest; wolf, beaver, fox, grouse, rabbits?
I always carry a 22 magnum with me on my skidoo when out on the trap line and to be sure let me tell you. I've skinned a lot of critters because of it.
If you need to reach out a couple hundred yards, the 223 rem is a good choice, ammo is easy to find and the price is good.
Your average distance should really be the big factor in your choice followed by access to amunition ie price, availability, etc.
Other factors like multi tasking need to be considered, are you going to harvest; wolf, beaver, fox, grouse, rabbits?
I always carry a 22 magnum with me on my skidoo when out on the trap line and to be sure let me tell you. I've skinned a lot of critters because of it.
.17 Remington FTW!
Tiny little hole going into them, and nothing going out. Anyone who says the .17 is too small for coyotes has never shot one. They kill good and clean, its what I used out to 300 yards before I sold it and got out of hunting all together. Family got in the way of it.
Tiny little hole going into them, and nothing going out. Anyone who says the .17 is too small for coyotes has never shot one. They kill good and clean, its what I used out to 300 yards before I sold it and got out of hunting all together. Family got in the way of it.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
X2 fer the .17 Remington. A stellar performer on coyotes and similar sized critters & a scream on magpies & gophers! A tad sensitive in wind beyond 100 yds. but a beauty out to 300 on a calm day.
