ridgerunner338rum
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- Oct 26, 2010
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i was wanting to get a 25-06 for coyotes and for my wife to use big game hunting does anybody know of a good bullet to use for coyotes with out causing a big hole in the pelt?
best bullet for coyotes in 25-06
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SBruce
Well-Known Member
Are you wanting to use the same bullet for both coyote and deer?
Overall, in my experience, the 25-06 tears them up pretty good, especially on broadside lung hits. I've used Nosler 85 BT's, Nosler 115 BT's, Hornady 117's, Sierra 117's, Barnes 100's and even some Sierra 90 HP's. They all tore up the pelt more than my 22-250 or 220 Swift did........one exception, the lighter bullets I mentioned usually didn't exit on straight on forward facing coyotes, so there was only an entrance wound.
I never did try anything lighter than the 85's.
Overall, in my experience, the 25-06 tears them up pretty good, especially on broadside lung hits. I've used Nosler 85 BT's, Nosler 115 BT's, Hornady 117's, Sierra 117's, Barnes 100's and even some Sierra 90 HP's. They all tore up the pelt more than my 22-250 or 220 Swift did........one exception, the lighter bullets I mentioned usually didn't exit on straight on forward facing coyotes, so there was only an entrance wound.
I never did try anything lighter than the 85's.
You might try a Berger target bullet 100 gr or better and load it down a little. I've used Nosler 115gr Ballistic Tips almost exclusively, but then I'm not looking for pelts.
Sierra Match Kings shoot great in my rifle, certainly worth a look, heavier bullets work better for me but your rifle might like something else.
Sierra Match Kings shoot great in my rifle, certainly worth a look, heavier bullets work better for me but your rifle might like something else.
Catahoula
Well-Known Member
I have killed a few hundred coyotes with a 25-06 and a 25-06 Ackley Improved. The Sierra 75 HP works very well. Exits are rare. 75 V-Max works well but is unpredictable. Might be a pencil hole and might cut them in half. I used the V-Max in spring and summer while den hunting. With my 25 Ackley I finally settled on the Sierra 100 Matchking. The Ackley pushed it at 257 Weatherby speeds and it was fur friendly. Had a few with no exit. My standard 25 liked the 100 Nosler Partition and I killed several with it while elk and deer hunting. Always had an exit but nothing that could not be stitched up a bit.
I hunted coyotes all year long for several ranches in Utah. Also shot a 22-250 alot. For damage work, DEAD is what matters. Play with a few loads and you will find a fur bullet. Drop me an e-mail if you would like. I love talking coyote hunting, trapping and snaring.
Good luck, Kirk
I hunted coyotes all year long for several ranches in Utah. Also shot a 22-250 alot. For damage work, DEAD is what matters. Play with a few loads and you will find a fur bullet. Drop me an e-mail if you would like. I love talking coyote hunting, trapping and snaring.
Good luck, Kirk
I've owned a .25-06 for 30+ years now. Used mine for varmint hunting mostly but it has gone deer hunting with me and even bear hunting.
My favorite bullet for varmints is the 87 gr Sierra. Everything I ever shot with it was a one shot kill. I've found it rarely leaves an exit hole on ground hogs but I have just started coyote hunting and haven't shot one yet. The 87 gr is my first choice and is very flat shooting.
Experience with the 75 gr bullets was the same as above, unpredictable. There were times when it did nothing and times where it cut the animal in half. I found they also ran out of steam at about 300 yards.
I have used the 100 gr bullet but find it a bit much for varmints.
My favorite bullet for varmints is the 87 gr Sierra. Everything I ever shot with it was a one shot kill. I've found it rarely leaves an exit hole on ground hogs but I have just started coyote hunting and haven't shot one yet. The 87 gr is my first choice and is very flat shooting.
Experience with the 75 gr bullets was the same as above, unpredictable. There were times when it did nothing and times where it cut the animal in half. I found they also ran out of steam at about 300 yards.
I have used the 100 gr bullet but find it a bit much for varmints.
smoked
Well-Known Member
115 grain nosler straight on chest shot still had a large exit hole 3150fps
85 gr combined technologies 3600 fps blows foxes in half, evaporates ringtale cats, flattens coyotes very destructive
75 gr sierra varminter 3700 not as much damage as the hornady 75gr hp, very accurate
75 gr hornady 3770 very destructive evaporates jackrabbits hufe holes in coyotes
the 75 grain sierra varminter killed them dead and had the least pelt damage of the bullets i loaded but i like when they blow up.
85 gr combined technologies 3600 fps blows foxes in half, evaporates ringtale cats, flattens coyotes very destructive
75 gr sierra varminter 3700 not as much damage as the hornady 75gr hp, very accurate
75 gr hornady 3770 very destructive evaporates jackrabbits hufe holes in coyotes
the 75 grain sierra varminter killed them dead and had the least pelt damage of the bullets i loaded but i like when they blow up.
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Catahoula
Well-Known Member
Hey Smoked,
I am leaving this week to go work in Tonopah, NV. What can you tell me about the coyote hunting down there? I will be taking my 270 loaded with 90 grain Speer TNT's. They are very accurate.
Thanks, Kirk
I am leaving this week to go work in Tonopah, NV. What can you tell me about the coyote hunting down there? I will be taking my 270 loaded with 90 grain Speer TNT's. They are very accurate.
Thanks, Kirk
smoked
Well-Known Member
down around elko county it wont be very good, they just had the state coyote hunt , if you go through jackpot headed south on 93, to your right is mohogony basin, it is loaded with yotes and only sees deer and elk season pressure, we did a few long range shots, 800-950 on coyotes but the 308 just doesnt get there flat enough for minor error so we missed, there are wolves there but just a few for now, it has been burned off awhile back, i just sat on a hill and glasssed up five or six dogs in under a minute, they should respond well to a cottontail or jack, i have never howled one in so not sure about that.
Catahoula
Well-Known Member
Hey Smoked,
Thanks for the reply. The calling contests in NV affected the coyote calling about 12 years ago. I hunted with a Govt. hunter out of Wells and we did really good. After the contests started the coyotes were a little white dot WAY out there. They took along time to come in if they came at all. I won't have my e-mail after tonight. If you get bored, call me at 208-313-0857 and we will see who the biggest liar is!
Thank you, Kirk
Thanks for the reply. The calling contests in NV affected the coyote calling about 12 years ago. I hunted with a Govt. hunter out of Wells and we did really good. After the contests started the coyotes were a little white dot WAY out there. They took along time to come in if they came at all. I won't have my e-mail after tonight. If you get bored, call me at 208-313-0857 and we will see who the biggest liar is!
Thank you, Kirk
smoked
Well-Known Member
did you do any calling in nevada, i have been in a slump for about two weeks, plus i had to work for five days, only killed one and shot at two, but im going out tuesday morning.
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