Type of bullet to use

[splicer]

 Im a newbie predator hunter who wants to do the least amount of pelt damage.I plan on using a .223.Whats the best bullet type to not exit. Was also curious about the varmint grenades,do they exit? Thanks for any advice.

[Glanceblamm]

Seems like I heard of the Varmint grenades preforming well on the Coyotes but they can come apart too easily on light brush so I have never tried any to date.

[Catfish]

Coyotes are hard to kill. I have no luck calling them but do kill afew running them with dogs and setting and waiting on them when running corn, so all of my coyotes are running, of at least 90% are. I use 55 gr. Varmint Night Mares in my AR. These are thin skinned varmint bullets and usually stay in. The problem is that with thin skinned bullets if you hit one running from you penatration is not deep enough to get to the vitals. I stick with them because they knock the coyotes down and I can get another 2 or 3 shots off while they are getting up, and I don`t what to have to worry about long rickochets. The thin skinned bullets are ok for side shots into the chest, but from other angles they are lacking. Personally I don`t worry about the size of the hole, as long they I get them killed. At $ 5 ea., which is what they are around here they hardly pay for the gas to the fur buyer anyway.

[splicer]

 Is .223 too much gun for fox and bobcat,I used to trap and at least they are worth skinning.I guess im trying to find a bullet that wont tear them to pieces.Whaat about fmj? Small entry,dont know about exit holes.

[securitysix]

Is .223 too much gun for fox and bobcat,I used to trap and at least they are worth skinning.I guess im trying to find a bullet that wont tear them to pieces.Whaat about fmj? Small entry,dont know about exit holes.

Unless you have enough velocity and the right bullet construction for the FMJ to fragment (Mil-Spec M193 and M855 do, but they're higher pressure than commercial .223 Rem.), they're probably going to exit and just punch a hole straight through.  So you will have an exit wound to deal with, but it will only be about .224" in diameter instead of being larger.  Problem is, the critter is likely to run a ways before he drops, and may be difficult to track.

[chipmunk]

FMJ bullets are a choice for fur but I don't like them as they don't have a lot of stopping power.  The coyote's likely to run off a ways.  Personally, I use 40gr V-max's in my .223.  As long as you put a good shot in the vitals it will usually drop them on the spot.   I've never had a pass through so all you have to deal with is one .22 caliber hole.  You just have to watch your shot because if you hit to far forward and get the shoulder bone then it might not go through like a FMJ would.  As for fox and bobcat, never shot one, but I have shot plenty of groundhogs (including a few very small ones that would compare to the body cross section of a fox) and never had a pass through.  Give em a try.  If your gun doesn't like the v-max bullets, then try the varmint grenades.  I have heard good things about them, although I have also heard they are so explosive that hitting a dead leaf will cause them to blow apart in the air.

[chipmunk]

I just noticed this in you post catfish, $5 a piece?  That is crazy.  Somethings wrong there.  They were getting $20 a piece at the local auction this year and everyone was complaining that is was too low because of the economy.

[Silvertp]

Ive had good success with just an entry hole and no exit on coyotes using 52 grain Speer HP's out of my .223. 

Silvertp

[splicer]

Thanks for the advice,I figured that if I was gonna shoot them might as well skin them too.Just didnt want to waste them.I know that prices were down last year,but it might pay for gas or a dinner and movie with my daughters.

[Catfish]

Chipmunk, There is only 1 fur buyer in this area that will take all coyotes, the others pay about the same but are very picky about what they buy. Ohio coyotes just aren`t worth.
Splicer, If I were going to use a .223 for fox and bobcat I would try some of the lite weight 30 to 32 gr bullets.

[chipmunk]

Are you skinning them out or taking whole coyotes? That could be the difference.  If you are skinning them and only getting $5 out of it, you may want to consider driving over here to WV.  Depending on where you are in Ohio and of course how many you have that particular year it might be worth it.  This year I saw that some of the "top" coyote furs in the area went for $28.  Average was about $20 and my brother even got $10 out of a mangy one that he accidentally made a bad cut on.

I didn't even know that they made .224 bullets in 30 grain.  Not saying they don't exist, I've just never seen them.  I've got some 34 grain ones on order.  Midway USA's brand.  They're cheap (something like $10 for 100) so I hope they work well.   I'll post when I hit an animal with one.  (That is if I ever get a hold of some primers)

[bigvarmnt]

Just happened across this. I've heard good and bad about V.G.s I have killed two yotes with 36 grs. could'nt tell where they were hit. One dropped where he stood at 105 yds. the other I had to hurry the shot at 195 yds. found him within 40 yds dead. No damage. For fox I have some new 30 gr V.G.s. I plan to load them light 223 to try for fox. They shot a one hole group at 100 out of my Hornet. I think 223 at much power will destroy a fox. They are longer for as light as they are. That's why I tried them. Never had much luck with the 35 V-Max. Short-stubby. Barnes guy said use 30gr. in 22 hornet, 223, 22-250.

[Catfish]

An up date on the Mid-South Varment Night Mares`s. I shot my first groundhog with them. Shot was through the right hind quater at 60 to 65 yrds. and the 55 gr, bullet did not exit. No wander I have to keep shooting those coyotes I knock down, but I`d reather do that than worry about a rickochet. 

[latigo_allen]

Fmj's dont always punch 22 holes throught a critter, I have shot a few coyotes that had softball size exits. Most of these were do to hitting bone (shoulder).  I had good luck with hornady 52 grain match hp's in my 22-250. Keep in mind you hit a yote wrong with what ever bullet your prolly goin to have a some sewing to do.

[securitysix]

Fmj's dont always punch 22 holes throught a critter, I have shot a few coyotes that had softball size exits. Most of these were do to hitting bone (shoulder).  I had good luck with hornady 52 grain match hp's in my 22-250. Keep in mind you hit a yote wrong with what ever bullet your prolly goin to have a some sewing to do.

If they're going fast enough, a .22 cal FMJ will tumble and fragment, which will cause more damage.  Factory loaded SAAMI specced .223 Rem. FMJ ammo will not be going that fast.  Mil-spec will.  FMJs loaded to full speed in a .22-250, .220 Swift, or .225 Winchester will.  Don't count on fragmentation, especially out of SAAMI pressure .223 loads with FMJ.  That's all I'm sayin'.

[helotaxi]

The tumble/fragment out of the mil-spec FMJ bullets (the cannelure is part of the disruption design here) is a case for using the Barnes banded solids.  Single homogeneous slug of copper alloy that won't yaw and fragment because there's no jacket and core to separate.