Goofycat
Well-Known Member
I purchased a Cooper .20 VarTarg a couple of years ago for ground squirrels, but thought about taking it on an upcoming coyote hunt. The VarTarg is nothing more than a .221 Fireball necked down to .20. I use 32-grain Nosler Ballistic tips with about 18 grains of the appropriate powder. I have not chronographed the load, but it is supposed to push the bullet into the mid 3,000 fps range.
I am going to northern Arizona, but have not hunted there, so I have no idea if these shots are going to be long or short. I usually use a .22-250 and don't expect to shoot past 300 yards. All my kills have been at 100 yards or less.
Since these bullets are on the light end of the spectrum, would using this cartridge drop the coyotes if the shot were not particularly well-placed? Should I just kiss off using the rifle and take along a heavier caliber? I hate to wound animals, then have to track them down later.
I am going to northern Arizona, but have not hunted there, so I have no idea if these shots are going to be long or short. I usually use a .22-250 and don't expect to shoot past 300 yards. All my kills have been at 100 yards or less.
Since these bullets are on the light end of the spectrum, would using this cartridge drop the coyotes if the shot were not particularly well-placed? Should I just kiss off using the rifle and take along a heavier caliber? I hate to wound animals, then have to track them down later.