NoMoreOldNo7
Active Member
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?
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?