Author Topic: What's the lightest 224 bullet for coyotes? Your "go-to" coyote bullet? (Read 5382 times)

PowPow · « **on:** January 11, 2011, 02:58:51 PM »

My 22-250 shoots 55 Gamekings fairly accurately but shoots 40 Vmaxes a whole lot better.
I've read that 40 vmaxes don't penetrate enough for a clean kill.
Is that the case with the lead tipped 40's?
What is the lightest 22 bullet you have used for consistent kills on coyotes?
What is your go-to bullet for coyotes?

Swift One · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2011, 01:48:26 AM »

While I dont shoot the 22-250, I do shoot the 223. I really like 55gr or higher when it comes to song dogs. At least the midwest song dogs. I have had excellent results with the Sierra 60gr HP for coyotes. All of the ones that I have shot with them seem to be anchored quite well. Thats including a bang flop shot on one at 351yds.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2011, 04:23:52 AM »

Quote from: PowPow on January 11, 2011, 02:58:51 PM

I've read that 40 vmaxes don't penetrate enough for a clean kill.

I'd like to hear the answer to this... $:-\$ I was fixin to buy a bunch to use for coyote in my new 223 Handi. Mostly 'cause it was 'spose to make a small entrance wound and not exit.

PowPow · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2011, 06:44:03 AM »

Quote from: AtlLaw on January 12, 2011, 04:23:52 AM

I was fixin to buy a bunch to use for coyote in my new 223 Handi.

Had a 223 Handi, 1:9 twist.
Tried everything in it, just to try it; 65 gr SIE Gamekings and 70 gr Speer SSPs were its favorite.
Shot a coyote in the gut with it at 170 yards with a 70, no exit.
I would think the entrance hole would be the same for all .224 caliber bullets.
I did get some interesting results with 40 vmaxes out of it, but that was with a slow powder at a lower velocity (maybe a crow load).

My 22-250 has a 1:14, and prefers a smaller bullet.(those same 65's tumbled out of it).

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2011, 04:44:50 AM »

Quote

I would think the entrance hole would be the same for all .224 caliber bullets.

This is what we are after with the bullet either not exiting at all, or creating a small exit wound.

When you throw center fire velocitys into the equasion, things can change quickly as bullet failure tends to mangle the likes of a Coyote. Take the .204 for instance, my mouth watered for one when they first hit the shelves but those first pictures to hit the Internet (to include this forum) showed yotes with a full 2" diameter entry wound, This was tamed down somewhat by the use of the hand loaded Bergner bullet but that is another story.

Granted, the .204 is not a .224 but when you shoot those light bulllets out of the likes of a .220 Swift, .22-250, or the .223, the killing power will go without saying "specially on a canine" with the real question being if it will tear up the hide or not.

PowPow · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2011, 05:02:29 AM »

Quote from: Glanceblamm on January 13, 2011, 04:44:50 AM

...those first pictures to hit the Internet (to include this forum) showed yotes with a full 2" diameter entry wound...

You may be talking about what I was referring to with the 40 Vmaxes;the bullet explodes on impact and creates a "surface wound" that looks like a large entrance hole. Maybe the Berger has a tougher jacket that prevents it from expanding on impact, allowing a deeper penetrating wound.

so maybe the question is; who has used light Bergers in a 22-250 on coyotes with success? how light?

Bigeasy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2011, 05:08:43 AM »

Well, I'll give my 2 cents-

Calling coyote here in PA and Maine during the winter is a past time of mine. Killed a fair number. I use mostly a .204, a .223, and a 22/250. I have found lite for caliber bullets work better for me. I use 34 grains in the .204, and 40 grains, including the V-Max, in the .22's. I have found with proper lung / heart shots, they tend to stay inside, and do minimal hide damage. Heavier, more stoutly constructed bullet will some times penetrate thru, causing fur damage. A 40 grain bullet at well over 3000 fps will certainly penetrate the couple of inches it needs to into a coyotes chest cavity to take care of business.

Now bear in mind, most of my shots are at calling range, 50 yards and under, so you may find bullet performance different at 250 / 350 yards. A buddy called last night, and told me about a woman he knows who owns a farm, and the coyotes are scaring her kids because they are howling so much at night, and hanging around the barns. Guess where we are going hunting Friday morning...

I'll be using my CZ .204 with Hornandy 34 grain bullets.

Larry

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2011, 05:53:19 AM »

Quote

Now bear in mind, most of my shots are at calling range, 50 yards and under

Bigeasy, I love those calling ranges, you are my Hero!...In actual practice I start to get worried when they get inside of 100 yds but that is with a 55 gr bullet out of the .22-250

If one "such as yourself" "and perhaps me, has the disipline and the skills to get them in to the 50 yard mark or closer, what would you think of the 30 gr V-max ballistic tip out of the WMR?

They go 2200 ft per sec at the muzzle

50 yd velocity is 1830 fps with 230 ft lbs energy

100 yd is 1569 fps & 164 on the energy.

I really know better as the energy figures are quite puny and I like the effects of hydroshock that is not really going to be present but still...

Bigeasy · « **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2011, 10:56:51 AM »

I'm not sure about the 22 mag. I would think that it would work with a broadside shot into the lungs / heart. The one dog I did shoot with my 22 mag "turkey rifle" was a head shot with the 40 grain solid. It worked.

The terrain I hunt usually dictates the close shots, especially in Maine, as well as the fact I often hunt at night. The one thing I have used that has made a huge difference is a motorized decoy. Its a furry thing with a coon like tail on a long spring wire that rotates. Coyotes seem to fixate on it when they come in. I use it in conjunction with a remote controlled electronic caller, usually on the mouse or cottontail distress call. As long as you stay camouflaged, and the wind is right, its deadly.

Larry

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #9 on:** January 13, 2011, 11:54:17 AM »

Looking back over my notes on coyote kills for the last 3-5 years..I killed one with a 64 gr. ww from my .22-250 Improved...it was maybe 250 yards, but ran another 100 yards before dropping ..it was a well placed lung hit..I also shot two coyotes with the 40 grain vmax out of the .22-250 AI..both about 200 yards and good clean kills...also shot one coyote with a 30 grain Berger in the .22-250 AI..it was at 125 yards in an open field..it dropped for a clean kill..but by far my number one coyote killer is the 50 grain Serria Blitzking..I shot this in the .223, .22-250, 22-250 AI and Swift..New Years day I shot one about 400 yards...the bullet exited and he ran maybe 75 yards..it was clear he was well hit as blood was coming out the off side when he whirled and ran..this was not the case with the 64 grain.. I would use the 50 grain Vmax as well, but right now have a block of 500 Blizking opened...I have also shot one coyote with a 40 grain FED. factory load in the std. .22-250 at maybe 250 yards..he dropped right there..Personally, I would give the 40 grain Vmx a try as they are long for their wt..the couple I shot it seemed like the 40 Vmax had plenty of smack..but they were only 200 yards...I do not call often, most of mine are shot while driving and glassing open areas..sometimes we do call..but mostly it is glass and shoot...the wind can be a real problem here, and I have rifles I use for those days, but much of my shooting the last couple years has been with my .22 cal. rifles...

PowPow · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2011, 03:03:08 PM »

Quote from: Wyo. Coyote Hunter on January 13, 2011, 11:54:17 AM

...I also shot two coyotes with the 40 grain vmax out of the .22-250 AI..both about 200 yards and good clean kills...

Thanks.. that's the feedback I was looking for when I started this. Got a bunch of 40 vmaxes and they shoot great in my 22-250, so I will give them a chance.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2011, 02:38:45 AM »

Quote

Thanks.. that's the feedback I was looking for when I started this. Got a bunch of 40 vmaxes and they shoot great in my 22-250, so I will give them a chance

How fast do you have them going PowPow? Published data such as stated in your reloading manual is fine.

PowPow · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2011, 08:41:07 AM »

Quote from: Glanceblamm on January 14, 2011, 02:38:45 AM

How fast do you have them going PowPow?

Using 41gr of H380; Hodgdon says 3855 fps; I measured 3820 fps on the few I measured.

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2011, 03:10:40 AM »

I've had consistent, good results with the 50 gr vmx out of my 223 and 22-250. And I love those 250 count boxes!

PowPow · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2011, 01:13:46 PM »

I have some Sierra 40 gr BlitzKings that turned out to be real accurate in my 22-250.

Anybody have coyote experience with these?
Would they be about the same as 40 Vmaxes?

ncsurveyor · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2011, 02:07:39 PM »

My go to: 50gr sierra blitz's out of a 222 rem.

backstrap · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2011, 01:39:15 PM »

I shoot 50 gr v-max at yotes out of my 223 and it puts them down out to 300 yards,but i am going to shoot 36gr varmint gernades out of my 22-250 at coyotes and bobcats, i think the 36gr bullet will kill a yote out to say 200 yards or better or I am going to give them a try any way,I ordered a bunch of diffrant bullets in weight to try out in my reloads,i dont want to shoot any thing over 45gr in this rifle, i want some thing light and fast and hope they blow up inside the animal and not have any exit

backstrap · « **Reply #17 on:** February 07, 2011, 12:16:27 PM »

Well i shot a big male yote yesterday useing 36 gr varmint gernade, shot him at 90 yards worked well he ran about 15 yards after i shot him fell over dead,so i will have to see how well they work out past that, just letting you guys now what i have found out with the light bullets so far

backstrap · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2011, 02:43:45 PM »

Well went out again this evening called another male in shot him at 175 yards with the 22 250 and that little 36gr varmint gernade, he was broadside and it knocked him down right there so there working well inside of 200 yards so far, i have faith in them to take a dog out to 250 what i have seen out of them so far.Just keeping you guys posted on the little light weight bullets for the .224 family and what they do to song dogs

AtlLaw · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2011, 03:53:42 PM »

Did the bullet on those two dogs exit? Damage to hide?

PowPow · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2011, 04:12:13 PM »

Quote from: AtlLaw on February 10, 2011, 03:53:42 PM

Did the bullet on those two dogs exit? Damage to hide?

For a coyote skin jacket?
going for the Gerry Spence look?

AtlLaw · « **Reply #21 on:** February 10, 2011, 04:15:39 PM »

Decoration... maybe a hat... $:-\$ A full length coat does sound good though...

backstrap · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2011, 01:53:21 AM »

The first big male he was faceing me and i shot him right between the front legs it tore the pelt pretty bad,but the other male i shot the other evening standing brodside it didnt do much at all had a small exit,i wouldnt have thought that little bullet would have exited at 175 yards though but it did

HOG · « **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2011, 12:33:26 PM »

Hornady 50g. SPXP. I have never has a pass through. The yotes sound like a water bottle when you pick them up, I "dissect" most to inspect the internal damage. Whatever organs are hit are liquified.

backstrap · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2011, 01:57:56 AM »

AtlLaw i have a pile of 6 yotes i shot this winter, think you could make u a full length coat out of that many hides lol

McDerry · « **Reply #25 on:** April 04, 2011, 02:13:45 PM »

I've been using 55 gr SX out of my .223 and my .220

Killing them if you hit them in a vital area has been no problem. Especially with the .220 and under 150 yards. Pieces are literally missing.

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #26 on:** April 05, 2011, 03:02:38 AM »

I've always had excellent results with Hornady 50gr SX in my 222's. And the Hornady 55gr SX in my 22-250's.

Star1pup · « **Reply #27 on:** April 16, 2011, 08:15:48 AM »

Very interesting thread, but you have me wondering about your rifling twist. I've been looking at a .223 with 1:8 and 1:12 and have been leaning toward the 1:12 for 50 & 55 gr. bullets.

PowPow · « **Reply #28 on:** April 16, 2011, 10:29:03 AM »

Quote from: Star1pup on April 16, 2011, 08:15:48 AM

...wondering about your rifling twist...

Started this thread with the 22-250 1:14 in mind, but we are sharing our 223 experiences also.
If I were looking for another 223 to hunt coyotes with, I would lean toward the 1:12 for 50-55's also.

Bugflipper · « **Reply #29 on:** April 17, 2011, 07:31:18 AM »

For .223 I have used 60 gr vmax. They have the bullet sized entrance and no exit on coyote. On fox and bobcat they tear them up bad. Entrance can be from dime to golf ball sized. Exit is anywhere from the same to baseball sized.

Same 60 gr in 22-250 and every now and then it would ruin a coyote. I'm guessing if it hit a rib just right. Usually just a bullet sized entrance though. Bobcat and fox could be up to softball size exit and baseball sized entrance. I shot a deer once because I grabbed the wrong gun at the back door in a hurry. Had a .308 just like the 250. Spine shot at about 250 yards left the whole top of the back open with a chunks of vertebrae about 15 yards behind as well as a spray of blood. My hand fit in the exposed area. As you know there isn't much meat there. Just clipped the back strap behind the shoulders. Was trying for a high lung shot but had the 22-250 set for 450 yards trying to take out a groundhog that had a hole in the cattle field. V-max are just to explosive for my taste. I no longer have a 22-250 but I like bergers in a 223. If I'm in fox or cat habitat I just take a 17 rem. Bullet diameter entrance and no exit on them or a coyote. If it's windy and am field hunting I'll take a 223. I just use 55 gr under 300 and 75 gr for over that in the .223.