Recommended Foot Pounds to Kill Coyote

[17Fireball]

Does anyone have a source listing the ethical foot pounds suggested to kill a coyote. I don't want stories or coyotes shot with air guns or .22 lr, etc. Looking for a "source" of what is considered responsible.

I lost two with my .17 Fireball this year and think I need to upgrade to a .223. Estimate I hit them with around 350 foot pounds.

Thanks!

PM's welcomed too.

Should mention these are the larger Eastern coyotes. Average weight of 40 pounds.

 

[ntg]

I personally don't put a lot of weight into "foot pounds". Yes, I keep it in mind, but it's just one part of the equation. I'm not an expert by any means...only killed a handfull of them compared to some. In my experience it has a lot to do with shot placement and the fairly small kill zone on yotes, which is roughly 6-8 inches depending on the size of the yote. The heart and lungs are a bit further forward than some big game hunters would think. I do know the two head shots I made (not intentional) were the only ones that were DRT. The kill zone shots usually have anything from a little kicking, to some covered distance (heart shots, just like other animals). If you put it in the gut area they can go for "miles". Again, I'm no expert, this is just what I've experienced. I know they're tough...my older hunting partner often says "when the world ends a coyote will be the one that shuts the lights off."

IMO, your .17 fireball should be fine...unless your getting fairly close shots like some easterners get. If you are, depending on the bullet you've choosen, it may be "penciling" through the yote in part due to the speed that cartridge is clocking. A little more information in this regard may help us help you more.

 

[strombeckj]

Since you did not mention the type of bullet, I will make an assumption based on my experince.

With that being said, a .17FB works great unless you are using a thin jacketed bullet desinged for varmint sized critters. (Example: z-max) I have found that Nagels and Kindler's work well on yotes, they offer less splate if they should hit a rib or shoulder. Hornady makes a 25gr HP, so does Berger. IMHO, leave the ballistic tip stuff for the PD dogs & Chucks, especially out of FAST moving rounds designed to explode on the slightest impact.

Jon

 

[threejones]

Does anyone have a source listing the ethical foot pounds suggested to kill a coyote. I don't want stories or coyotes shot with air guns or .22 lr, etc. Looking for a "source" of what is considered responsible.

I lost two with my .17 Fireball this year and think I need to upgrade to a .223. Estimate I hit them with around 350 foot pounds.

Thanks!

PM's welcomed too.

Should mention these are the larger Eastern coyotes. Average weight of 40 pounds.

I think you're going to find that "Responsible" is a relative term, so finding a solid sorce might be tough. That being said, the Fireball has been taking yotes since it came out, and doing a good job of it. As stated above, bullet selection will make a big difference in "anchoring a yote" with a 17. Jumping up to a 223 will definately increase your range, help with wind deflection, etc, but if you've got the Fireball already, you might as well play with bullet selection a little before you put it out to pasture.

 

[dogbuster0006]

Everything I've read says 350ftlb is enough to humanly kill a yote. Have to concur with watching your bullet choice as well, I'm not super familiar with bullet selection in the 17's but i would lean toward the heavy for the caliber bullets. It's my understanding the entire spectrum of 17 were design for varmints ie gopher and prairie dogs, light recoil and high velocity using light rapidly expanding bullets. That type of bullet i would avoid unless shooting for the neck or base of the ear, I've seen improper bullets fragment when hitting ribs of deer and feel that's it'd be a similar issue with a yote.
Jumping up to a .223 isn't a bad choice either my dad still shoots .223 and 45gr jhp for song dogs and I've never seen one take another step once hit. I've shot several with that same round and lately was using a Hornady superformance 52-53gr v-max (can't remember right now) with awesome results. If you love your fireball by all means keep using it and possibly be a little more picky on shot choices, if you need an excuse to buy another rifle then pick up a .223 you won't be disappointed. Shoot straight happy hunting.

 

[jwcrabb]

I will suggest that the 17 Fireball is not the issue. I have taken 6 so far this year with the Fireball at ranges from 50-250 yds. All were DRT. I use the 30g Kindler Golds in both my 17 Fireball and 17 Remington. They are absolute poision on Yotes.

 

[17Fireball]

Thank you for the replies. I am using Berger Match Target 25 grain bullets riding on top of H322, pushed by Rem. Benchrest primers, in a remington brass.

 

[MtPockets]

It sounds like that bullet may be your problem- maybe hitting a rib and not going anywhere. According to the Berger website, that bullet is designed for varmints which are much smaller and lighter than coyotes.
That being said- I've been reading posts from folks using .17HMR on coyotes, and having good luck with them- especially with head shots.
If you've already got a good load for the Bergers, maybe try that?lightbulb