.223 Bullets

Rauly · 11-16-2003, 08:27 PM

I am not talking about shell, primer, ballistics. Just the bullet itself. it is goint to be used to shoot coyote let say from 200 yards on in. I am looking for some thing that won't ruin hide to much. What are your opinions? Pointed soft point, hollow point, ball???

Rauly

BanannaMan · 11-17-2003, 06:14 AM

I would think a full metal jacket would be more than adequate. The speed of the bullet and the energy it still packs at that range is deadly. I have shot many dogs with just a plain ole .22 which leaves very little holes. Expanding bullets might cause more damage.

Chukrchaser · 11-17-2003, 06:55 AM

Some of it will depend on the energy at point of impact -- If it is high enough it will enter/exit with out having the chance to expand. Under 100 yds on a soft skin like a coyote probably stay with a ptd soft point. I agree that a full metal jacket is probably the safest -- for hide preservation.

Cowlitz77 · 11-17-2003, 09:17 AM

One thing to think about---full metal jackets are made to tumble--I have shot several yotes with these and the result is not pretty.I would consider something with a heavy bonded jacket.

11-17-2003, 09:58 AM

For fur harvest I prefer a heavier bullet going slower. Better yet a .243.

skein · 11-17-2003, 12:53 PM

I would try to get some match bullets, the super accurate kind that are built NOT to expand. I think you'll want better accuracy than you would ever get with ball, and it's hard to get one that won't exit, so keep the holes as small as possible. Sierra matchkings (52gr) come to mind, as do Bergers of about the same weight.

I use 50gr Ballistic Tips and that is NOT what you need. They explode on all but the longer shots. Deadly, but not pretty.

I probably have some of the match bullets around if you'd like a few to try. They still deliver mail up in your neck of the woods, don't they? :grin:

Skein

Rauly · 11-17-2003, 06:43 PM

Yea they still deliver mail up here. Just don't tell the pony express guy what you are mailing or he will shoot them up before they get here. :grin:

Rauly

StickFish · 11-17-2003, 07:05 PM

You didn't mention whether you were after the pelts or just anchoring them to the ground.

Several have mentioned using match bullets already if you're after pelts. If you're not concerned with meat damage - use any well built varmint bullet that shoots well in your rifle. I use a Berger 52 grain MEF flat base from my Lilja built Remington 700 in 22 Remington Bench Rest. It will put five rounds in the same hole all day and the bullet is designed for Maximum Expansion.

Clackamas Drifter · 11-17-2003, 11:49 PM

I would stick with a light, PSP bullet.It doesnt take a heavy bullet at all to topple a coyote with a good shot. The FMJ is more likely to deflect off of bone and bounce around, so you run the risk of blowing alot of bone through the hide, or ripping through the side with a wobbling bullet. But its hard to say. THe ideal way would be to either shoot it straight through the ribs, not going through the shoulder on the exiting side, or through the close shoulder angled out behind the exiting shoulder. Cause no matter what, you blow that opposite shoulder on a thin skin like coyote, youll tear that hide badly. If you can do that, bullet wont so much matter.

salmurai · 11-17-2003, 11:56 PM

Rauly, If you are saving the hides, then you will probably need to slow them down. Just my $.02. Good Luck.

skein · 11-18-2003, 04:38 PM

I spent some time today with a couple of my favorite shooter/reloaders, and talked to another varmint hunter on the phone AND THE CONSENSUS IS:

Shoot a bullet that will blow up inside and never exit.

None of them thought you could get a bullet that wouldn't expand more than you wanted, and push some brass and bones out the other side. One bullet the pelt-hunter suggested was Hornady's SXSP (Super Explosive Soft Point) or Berger's MEF (Maximum Explosive Factor). All suggested accurate bullets, but they also endorsed one that would blow up.

Interesting, and I didn't really expect that. Looks like I need to get the 'yote call back out, load up a few different bullet styles, and see for myself. Dirty work, but .... you know the rest. :grin:

I did dig out some 52gr match bullets that I'll send you to try. Maybe you can get us some coyote backstrap. Mmmmmmm, tasty!

Skein

Grip It-N-Rip It · 11-19-2003, 04:03 PM

I am just guessin cause I always liked expansion in The .223. I agree with the Berger bullets or the match grade bullets that shouldn't expand, The Sierra Matchking should be a good one to try.

#1 Okie · 11-23-2003, 08:38 PM

50 grain hornady sx. call me and i'll gove you some.

ajfishfinder · 12-02-2003, 01:10 PM

Are you saving the skins up to line some panties for the wife or do you have a buyer. Last time I checked they weren't worth the time spent in skinning let alone the rest of the work involved. Your best bet would be to head shoot them!!! No good fur wasted that way.

billc_sbio · 12-02-2003, 11:05 PM

Rauly

Hehe...inside tip, a .17 cal anything...

If it's a centerfire using 25g Rem bullets or Hornadys...

Makes a drafting pencil-lead side hole in the front NO hole in the back! Mine's a .17 Saunders Jet...made on formed .22 Jet (revolver) brass...it comes out looking like a .357 Mag necked down to .17 bottleneck.

If you're really serious CALL me...I have a custom made .17 Javelina (made from .222 Rem necked down to .17) built on a Sako .222 rifle I'll sell ya "reasonable"!

Maybe the new .17RF Mags might work well too...don't know.

Regards, Bill C. & Dancer (ya know us!)

night stocker · 12-03-2003, 05:14 AM

1-okie is right.i use the 55gr sx hornady in the 22-250.shot a few dogs.they die.never done an autopsy.my bud thought it was a good idea years ago to try to skin one for the pelts but didn't make it too far.the smell was awfull.too much work for not that much money.i remember one that i killed years ago.two of them running together at 200 yds or more.my bud gets out and shoots.misses.by that time i have my gun out.offhand is the only shot.they were really moving when i fired.when i pulled the trigger,that dog rolled.he couldn't outrun that sx.that was the best shot i have ever seen,he exclaimed and i have seen him make some nice shots.paced off 275 to the dog and it was a big dog.i couldn't tell where it hit him or where it exited.no blood,just dead.so i do not think there was much pelt damage,if any.i think it used all it's energy up inside the animal as there was no big exit hole.a 270 is a different story.the load i use must be pushing that sx to the max as somebody standing behind me can see the smoke trail the bullet leaves.pretty cool.i wish i could see it through my scope.all i see are dead animals.very accurate in my gun.i am no expert on this.just a few observations.