Good Fox/Coyote load w/ minimal hide damage

[Adam Lilja]

What bullet are ya'll using for small predators that will not damage the hide too badly? 105 gr bullets ?

[bwaites]

What bullet are ya'll using for small predators that will not damage the hide too badly? 105 gr bullets ?

Two schools of thought there. A solid or FMJ that deforms minimally and creates 2 small holes, or a varmint bullet that blows up after initial penetration and doesn't make it out. The problem with the second is that small predators tend to be pretty thin in the upper body and even varmint grenades have a high risk of pelt damage in the back side. The long time pelt guys I've asked all shoot FMJ or solids without hollow points.

[montana]

I would have to recommend the 5.56, 52 gr SMK if you are going to use an AR platform. https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/...HPBT-MatchKing

This bullet shoots great in all of my 5.56 rifles and does minimal hide damage. Within 300 yards it is my favorite coyote bullet. Past 300 yards I use my 22-250. I have never shot a coyote with the Grendel.

[Adam Lilja]

I no longer own a 5.56 :O

[montana]

I no longer own a 5.56 :O

I know a good barrel maker if you want to build another one.

[biodsl]

I know a good barrel maker if you want to build another one.

Now, THAT'S funny!

[am4966]

90gr TNT?

[JASmith]

Has anyone taken game with the 95 gr Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos?

I know the bullet is hyped as having explosive results but what we may really be seeing is five separate wound tracks.

Better, more expensive, choices are the 95 GS Custom HV or the Barnes 100 gr TTSX.

Of course, one could also try one of the two Lapua 100 gr bullets, one of which may have been expressly designed for the task.

[K280]

I will do my best to shoot one with the 90 gr TNT. After deer season is over, that will be my go to bullet. I have had great luck with the 50 grain Vmax in my 223. No exit yet on yotes, big one on cats. I loaded the 40 gr vmax in my 222 and 223, I will try those too to see if they stay inside of a bobcat.

The wolf 120 mpt makes big holes in yotes!

[Adam Lilja]

I'll try the 90 gr out first.

[cory]

What about the 123gr HPBTs like the Nosler? If Montana is having good results with 52gr HPBTs, I'd think 123gr HPBTs would be a choice worth looking at.

[toolsofthetrade]

I have been having very good luck with the 95gr vmax...haven't poped a fox yet though but on coyote only had good performance

[Joseph5]

toolsofthetrade, did you get any exit wounds with the Vmax? I was thinking, and maybe erroneously, that it would exit a coyote in a rather destructive fashion. Adam, I am assuming you have access to a Computer controlled mill? You could always make some solid copper or brass bullets by copying the shape of the Lehigh or Barnes bullet and omitting the hollow point. There are FMJ bullets made in 6.5 mm if you can find them anywhere. It also might work to fill the nose cavity of a Barnes or Lehigh defense bullet with solder?

[toolsofthetrade]

out of 6-8 coyotes only 1 or two exited and only made a 3/4-1" exit hole, those were the close range shots (20-30yds)

[Joseph5]

That is good to know. I have 500 of them I was going to load up on top of 34 grs of CFE223 but I didn't know if they would tear a coyote up. The same powder charge under a 100 gr AMAX is really accurate and if I am remembering correctly it was running over 2900 fps. We saw a very large beautiful coyote the other day standing just on the wrong side of a "No Shooting Zone" sign. It was enough to make you want to cry!