exciting cartridges

[Buddro]

I stumbled over a used model 7 the other day, which got me to thinking I really need a good back country coyote gun. But in what caliber. I like my ar shooting...72 grain? Barnes tsx but the darn thing is way to heavy to lug around with me all day. If you were going to build a coyote gun for <250 yard work with pelt preservation in mind, what would you go for? What if you were inclined to build it in a fun different caliber?

 

[Orange Dust]

If you are saving hides the .17 Rem has no real peer. I have two of them. That being said, if I was going to build another it would be either a .17 or .204 on the .223 case, or maybe a .17 Predator or .204 Ruger. However, both of those can be harder on hides, and trade barrel life for a little more range. The .17's will kill instantly to about 300yds and you will usually have to skin him to find the bullet hole. If you don't care about hides, it doesn't matter, but the .17's are really fun. They can be challenging to load for, and a really cheap way to learn to build real precision ammo. They are fun to hunt with because you can always see your hits in the scope. If you use the .223 case you will have an endless supply of good, cheap brass from lake city. You can also get Lapua brass.

 

[J E Custom]

Go with the same cartridge in the model 7 and use the same ammo if the bolt face is the same.

It should be very accurate and if you wanted, you could use the AP rounds and do very little damage

Any of the larger cartridges like the 6.5s and 7mm's that have FMJs available would also be a good choice loaded down.

J E CUSTOM

 

[jd5521]

I have a 20 VarTarg Turbo that is, IMO, the perfect coyote killer and pelt saver. I am pushing 32 an 40 grain pills at 4000+ and it stops yotes dead in their tracks!

 

[Canhunter35]

Ime, most varmint bullets shred hide. A .17 is the most fur friendly, but shot placements becomes much more critical. you're better off with a larger hunting bullet that merely expands than a .20 or .22 cal varmint bullet that fragments imo

 

[Orange Dust]

Ime, most varmint bullets shred hide. A .17 is the most fur friendly, but shot placements becomes much more critical. you're better off with a larger hunting bullet that merely expands than a .20 or .22 cal varmint bullet that fragments imo

Not really, I've seen too many instant kills with hits too far back. Just don't shoot Hornady bullets, they are very eratic and often don't even expand. 25 gr. Bergers kill much better. The old Kindler Golds were even better and shot much flatter. Actually if you want to save hides the opposite is true. Shot placement becomes more critical with every step up in caliber, that is, unless, you are very good with a needle and thread and like to darn your own socks.

 

[Canhunter35]

Not really, I've seen too many instant kills with hits too far back. Just don't shoot Hornady bullets, they are very eratic and often don't even expand. 25 gr. Bergers kill much better. The old Kindler Golds were even better and shot much flatter. Actually if you want to save hides the opposite is true. Shot placement becomes more critical with every step up in caliber, that is, unless, you are very good with a needle and thread and like to darn your own socks.

That could be, I've used a lot of vmax and Dabbled with Barnes varmint bullets, it's rare when I don't blow a 3-4" hole in them with a 204ruger or 22-250.
I use my 6.5 now and pretty much always have a consistent 1-1.5" exit and drops them with considerable ease.
I've seen .17s fail on shoulder points and breast bones of coyotes, especially if u push the distance at all

 

[Buddro]

I think I would lean in the .17 direction, I have some friends with .204s that are pretty hard on pelts. but then again most of those guys are the kind who believe in loading everything to absolutele max velocity regardless of accuracy. Honestly my .223 really is pretty perfect for the type of calling I do in terms of ballistics. I seldom call in areas where I can see even 100 yards. (I've actually called more bob cats in than coyotes.)
The thing is, I am kind of into odd ball/wildcat rounds, so if I do commit to building a gun specifically for predator hunting I will lean in that direction. what kind of barrel lengths are people needing to get reasonable performances out of their .17s?

 

[Orange Dust]

I have a 22" thin barrel and a 24" varmint. Cant tell any diff on coyotes but the hb is more accurate

 

[crystalgayleguy]

what is the model 7 chamber in now

 

[javman]

Load up the 223 with a 75gr Hrn kissing lands with 24-25 grains of LVR!

 

[Buddro]

I believe the model 7 is a .223 currently.

 

[Elkeater]

I'm running a 5.56 with 40gr vmax bullets at 3400 FPS. Bang flop on every coyote I have shot (20ish) and not one has ever exited. But I digress...

You asked about exciting cartridges. I've always thought a .20 cal of some flavor would be cool. For coyotes maybe a .204 ruger, or something. Or a stupid fast .22 cal like a .22-250ai.

 

[MTyotecaller]

I've been shooting 80gr SMK in my 22-250 for the past two seasons and most of the time can't find the bullet hole in the pelt till I've skinned it. A lot less damage than the 55gr vmax that I used in the past. Ps. You will need a 1in8 or 1in7 twist barrel to shoot the heavier bullets.