Advice Regarding Big Bore Bullets for Coyotes

[NoMoreOldNo7]

I want to do a little coyote hunting this summer. I've been dabbling with taxidermy and have just about ran out of ducks from last season so I want to try a coyote or two before big game season starts. Btw, I have a Mule deer tag in X9A, three Antelope tags (a buck and 2 doe tags) in a good unit in Wyoming and to top it off an Elk tag in the Bighorns in Wyoming so along with a bunch of game meat I'll also have plenty of mounts to play with. Since I can't eat as much meat as I used to be able to (thank throat cancer for that) and if successful on all my big game hunts, I'll probably be giving away lots of meat to my friends. Kinda figure my number of friends might increase once this gets out.

Now back to Coyote hunting. I have had to sale off a quite a few guns this past year (again, thanks to cancer (medical expenses & forced retirement)) so I am down to just two centerfire rifles, a 7RM remington 700 (blue printed, tack-driver, Nikon scope with BDC 4.5x14) and a Sporterized 1903 Springfield in 30-06 (but I do have a .243 barrel for it). I have a good scope for the 30-06 as well (Leupold 4x12x40) and it shoots very well out to about 300 yards (as far as I normally pratice shooting). Longterm if I keep this up I'll switch back the Springfield to a .243 and be set.

Now my question (sorry I get very long winded when it comes to talking hunting/shooting, etc.). I am thinking of a slower load for my 30-06 with a smaller bullet, some where around 2500 fps. My current hunting load for the '06 are 180 gr Accubonds flying about 2900 fps and as earlier stated it shoots very well. The choices for bullets I have found are all Sierras, 110 gr FMJ, 125 gr Pro Hunter (SP) or 110 gr Varminteer. Sierra also has 2 bullets I have looked at for my 7RM, a 100 gr Varminteer (HP) and a 120 gr Pro Hunter (SP).

So what do you all think? 30-06 or 7RM? I am looking to take coyotes for taxidermy so hollow points? full metal jackets? specialized varmint bullets? Should I look at a bigger bullet, maybe 150 gr. I know it seems that bigger bullets seem to fly better when you get out to some longer ranges (coefficence is higher).

My idea of the 30-06 is because it flys a little slower than the 7M, but also throws a bigger caliber bullet. Was also leaning towards the full metal jackets for less damage, but concerned about killing efficency. So what you guys (gals too) think?

 

[c_bass16]

I don't know if I consider that "big bore" but regardless. You may be just as well suited to run the 110 bullets really fast or the REALLY big bullets a lot slower.

Either may or may not cause excessive fur damage. Just depends on what part you hit and the type of bullet your sending. For the 110's going really fast, I'd consider something solid. For the really big (230 size) I'd just use something with a soft round nose so it won't explode.

Who knows really...I don't shoot a 30-06

 

[Muttt]

If you're going to shoot 7mm Rem Mag and 30-06, I suggest either solids or FMJ if you are trying to keep the hide for taxidermy. Anything hollowpoint or any kind of ballistic tip is probably going to do some major damage.

Just my .02 cents.

 

[NoMoreOldNo7]

Muttt, that's along the lines of what I was thinking. My rifles are pretty accurate and I can shoot so I was leaning towards the 110 gr FMJ. Now just have to work up a load for it. So it looks like I have a pretty good excuse to spend a few days at the range this week. I suppose it's like everything else, you can throw the best or worse at something, but if you can't hit it where you need to I don't work.

And the "big bore", maybe wrong statement. Just meant bigger bore than the usual varmint/predator hunting caliber (22-250, 223, 220, etc.)

 

[Browninglover1]

Supposedly the Barnes X Bullets don't do too much damage on coyotes, but I've never tried one to verify that statement. My personal opinion though, is that they need to be FMJ's. I've shot some with Bergers and they were terribly destructive, I've never hit one with the 110 grain V Max out of my 300 WSM but I honestly think it could split one in two pieces.

Let us know what you end up trying and how it works.

 

[NoMoreOldNo7]

Hey Browninglover1, thanks for the Barnes tip. I checked what Barnes has to offer and I found a 110 gr. tactial bullet that's all copper. I might check them out. I have not had much luck with Barnes in the past, but it's been a while since I tried them and it was when I was working up a load for this rifle when it was a .243, the Barnes are a bit more pricey ($33 vs $20).

I would like to do a little scouting in July & August for my Mule deer hunt in September and there always have been a few coyotes down in the flats in that area so it might be a while til I reply, but definitely post the outcome.

 

[HARPERC]

The big round nose 30-06 bullets never left me much for taxidermy. The old surplus "armor piercing" gave reasonable results, with minimum damage. I still see them advertised, but have not tried to buy them in about 3 decades. I don't recall when the corrosive stuff phased out. Worth a look.

 

[scottyd2506]

I want to do a little coyote hunting this summer. I've been dabbling with taxidermy and have just about ran out of ducks from last season so I want to try a coyote or two before big game season starts. Btw, I have a Mule deer tag in X9A, three Antelope tags (a buck and 2 doe tags) in a good unit in Wyoming and to top it off an Elk tag in the Bighorns in Wyoming so along with a bunch of game meat I'll also have plenty of mounts to play with. Since I can't eat as much meat as I used to be able to (thank throat cancer for that) and if successful on all my big game hunts, I'll probably be giving away lots of meat to my friends. Kinda figure my number of friends might increase once this gets out.

Now back to Coyote hunting. I have had to sale off a quite a few guns this past year (again, thanks to cancer (medical expenses & forced retirement)) so I am down to just two centerfire rifles, a 7RM remington 700 (blue printed, tack-driver, Nikon scope with BDC 4.5x14) and a Sporterized 1903 Springfield in 30-06 (but I do have a .243 barrel for it). I have a good scope for the 30-06 as well (Leupold 4x12x40) and it shoots very well out to about 300 yards (as far as I normally pratice shooting). Longterm if I keep this up I'll switch back the Springfield to a .243 and be set.

Now my question (sorry I get very long winded when it comes to talking hunting/shooting, etc.). I am thinking of a slower load for my 30-06 with a smaller bullet, some where around 2500 fps. My current hunting load for the '06 are 180 gr Accubonds flying about 2900 fps and as earlier stated it shoots very well. The choices for bullets I have found are all Sierras, 110 gr FMJ, 125 gr Pro Hunter (SP) or 110 gr Varminteer. Sierra also has 2 bullets I have looked at for my 7RM, a 100 gr Varminteer (HP) and a 120 gr Pro Hunter (SP).

So what do you all think? 30-06 or 7RM? I am looking to take coyotes for taxidermy so hollow points? full metal jackets? specialized varmint bullets? Should I look at a bigger bullet, maybe 150 gr. I know it seems that bigger bullets seem to fly better when you get out to some longer ranges (coefficence is higher).

My idea of the 30-06 is because it flys a little slower than the 7M, but also throws a bigger caliber bullet. Was also leaning towards the full metal jackets for less damage, but concerned about killing efficency. So what you guys (gals too) think?

The bigger bullet will be slower and have less expansion, if your going long range in the winds of winter, why not try the new Berger 230 grain with a .720+ BC.. even at max velocity they are not going to be fast enough to expand a bunch. out of the 30-06 I'll bet around 2500 fps, and the winds will not blow them around much.
a 110 Vmax at 3400 fps would prob really tear a coyote up, even slowed down to 2400 prob tear em up.
my .300 win mag I have em loaded up to around 3300-3400 fps any faster and the bullets just blow up in mid air. have not had one to shot at it yet with em.

even 243's can tear up coyotes, maybe more than the big bore, most big bore have thicker copper bullets, and those .224 and .243 bullets expand easy in small game with the power of the 243 you would tear up some pelts.
might try some matchkings in the 30-06 they are thicker than the J4 jacket bergers.

glad to hear you have come a away good in the battle with cancer.

 

[barnesuser28]

do you have a 22lr or a .17 of some sort? either one of these would kill a coyote without much hide damage if kept within a reasonable range.

 

[NoMoreOldNo7]

Sounds like some good advice, both the heavier .30 cal bullet and the .22 lr. I haven't done any coyote hunting and wasn't sure of the range to expect to shoot. My .22 is very accurate at 50 yds, 4" groups at 100 yds. Suppose I could carry both, use the .22 for anything under 100 yds, 30-06 with a non-fragmenting/solid bullet for longer ranges. Even the heavier bullet flying slower makes sense for what I am trying to get accomplished.

And thanks for the heads up regarding battling cancer, it's a horrible disease and the cure is almost as bad as the disease. It's made a huge change in my life and what I can do and what I can't do. I am just fortunate that God decided to keep me in good enough shape to continue to hunt. Even there it's made a significant difference in what I can do, but hey I'm alive and grateful. Was very close to being a lot different. Last thing, plan for tomorrow but live for today, you never know what tomorrow might bring.

 

[scottyd2506]

Sounds like some good advice, both the heavier .30 cal bullet and the .22 lr. I haven't done any coyote hunting and wasn't sure of the range to expect to shoot. My .22 is very accurate at 50 yds, 4" groups at 100 yds. Suppose I could carry both, use the .22 for anything under 100 yds, 30-06 with a non-fragmenting/solid bullet for longer ranges. Even the heavier bullet flying slower makes sense for what I am trying to get accomplished.

And thanks for the heads up regarding battling cancer, it's a horrible disease and the cure is almost as bad as the disease. It's made a huge change in my life and what I can do and what I can't do. I am just fortunate that God decided to keep me in good enough shape to continue to hunt. Even there it's made a significant difference in what I can do, but hey I'm alive and grateful. Was very close to being a lot different. Last thing, plan for tomorrow but live for today, you never know what tomorrow might bring.

Leave the rimfire 22's for squirrels they are at best in the .22 mag 50% unless you find one relaxing and stiff enough for a good shot

the 30-06 is good for coyotes, uise the heavy 200-220 matchkings and load em hot to 2400-2500 fps, and you'll have a great coyote load.

I've lost a few relitives to cancer, it was a painful agonizing way to go out.
And it can happen to any of us. anytime. I see it like this, if it happens to me, then maybe god is sparring some young child from getting it.
like I said, bless ya!

 

[the shotty]

Just don't hit the shoulder and you should be ok. On the .22 I've shot a number of them with my 10/22 and done just fine, better chance of doubling on a set too I would think. Besides if you do end up blowing up a pelt, you should take a look at some of the pedestal mounts, I think they're pretty cool for coyotes and badgers. Just something a bit more unique.

 

[NoMoreOldNo7]

OK, fixed my varmint rifle problem. Found a guy on another site who was selling a 03-A3 action (receiver, modified bolt, trigger and metal bottom). I already have a .243 barrel and a stock so now I just have to put it all together.

After I have the barrel installed and the headspace checked by a gunsmith (if that doesn't set me back too much and it doesn't take much to be too much) I am thinking of replacing the trigger with a Timmey with the safety built on (looks similar to a Rem 700 setup). The stock I have is about 90% so I have quite a bit of work there and I think I'll glass bed the action myself. Thinking I might even parkerize the action, bottom & barrel myself (haven't made up my mind about that yet).

 

[esorensen]

I'd stay away from the 110's in 30 cal. if I were you. They have quite a bit of wow factor to them. Even when slow. (ie long range impacts) You say you have a .243. I've shot more coyotes than I care to count with the 87 VMAX at 3300 fps. I can remember sewing exactly one coyote pelt. On the 30 cal side, I've shot them with Sierra Matchkings, and won't do that again, unless they are mangy. I shot one this winter with a 208 AMAX from my .308 at 2600. He was hit full frontal at 190 yards. No exit. Kinda mushy on the inside though.