Calling all Predator Bullet Connoisseurs! I am looking for a highly accurate bullet in the 50-55 grain range that will not tear an exit hole in a fox or yote the size of your fist. My favorite rifle is a Winchester model 70 Coyote in the 22-250 and I would like to load up something that will not tear such a huge hole or preferably no exit at all. Thanks for your help folks.

Trent

Born in the Country,
Work like a Slave,
Predator Trapping is all that I Crave

TrapperTrent -

In the "no exit at all" category I'd have to suggest Nosler 40g BT's. My experience is that they either don't exit or you need a new pelt - with little in-between.

The 52g Speer and Hornady Match BTHP's tend to make a big mess.


For more reliably doing minimal damage I would suggest a 55g FMJ. The only problem with these is that they are not as reliable in putting them down. But exit holes are as small as you will get.

Don't have that much experience with Coyote hunting, but on critters about teh same size, a very fragile, thin jacketed bullet is you best bet for not exiting. Problem is, if too fragile a bullet (like the ones made to stand .22hornet speeds) bullet can actually self-destruct before reaching the target (get a kind of smokey-blue rope effect that hangs in the air for a spit second as the bullet comes apart). The Nosler 40gr. is tough enough to hang togeter at 4,000fps.

At long range, where the velocity has decayed, tend to get ripped exits...at short range, where a shoulder or other large bone is struck, can get a real big entrance.

Haven't a bit better luck with the SX's, TNT's, or Blitz's...a smooth barrel can drive them to max. speeds without blow up, but still got the occasional exit wound that would pass a golf ball.

Don't have that much experience with Coyote hunting, but on critters about teh same size, a very fragile, thin jacketed bullet is you best bet for not exiting. Problem is, if too fragile a bullet (like the ones made to stand .22hornet speeds) bullet can actually self-destruct before reaching the target (get a kind of smokey-blue rope effect that hangs in the air for a spit second as the bullet comes apart). The Nosler 40gr. is tough enough to hang togeter at 4,000fps.

At long range, where the velocity has decayed, tend to get ripped exits...at short range, where a shoulder or other large bone is struck, can get a real big entrance.

Haven't a bit better luck with the SX's, TNT's, or Blitz's...a smooth barrel can drive them to max. speeds without blow up, but still got the occasional exit wound that would pass a golf ball.

Thanks to both of the responses so far. I was having problems with the 40g bullets breaking apart before reaching the target. I was kind of figuring on a compromise situation. Has anyone attempted to load down the 40g. ballistic tips in the 22-250 so they don't decay before hitting the target? If so, what was the powder and amount of choice? Of course keeping safety in the forefront.

I am thinking I may just go back to the Remington 788 (.222 Rem) with the good old Horniday 52 grain hollow point. I seldom had as much of a problem with the .222 but never trusted shots it in excess of 200 yards on a coyote.

Some barrels seem to be willing to shoot the fragile 40gr.Nosler to 4100fps...other barrels refuse to go above 3500fps. Seems to be a matter of barrel smoothness and rifling depth. Know from experience, fouling will build up and turn a good shooting load into one that evporates on the way to the target...on a flat plowed field, will see it kick up dust like 1/8oz of #12 shot as it comes apart.

Can try the 50gr. Blitz, TNT, or other fragile bullet, or load the .22/250 doen to 3200-3400fps and pretty well dupicate the results you had with the .222.

Just my two cents worth but I have recently worked up a load for my 22-250. 40gr Noslers and 40gr Barnes Varminators and they worked great without flying apart at high fps, but I only intend to shoot gophers with these bullets. For Coyotes I use the 55gr Sierra spitzer boat tails and have shot coyotes from 150yds to 550yds with them and have not had big holes or ruined pelts. They do the job fast with no mess.

I don't have any personal experiance with the 22-250, I have always used my 220 swift with 50 gr v-max or nosler ballistic tip, but my buddy does use one. I have never had and exit unless the shot is less than 150 yrds, but even then it isn't bad. My buddy uses a 55 gr nosler. The only time he has had a problem is when he shot one less than 100 yrds then it ripped a nice hole in it. People have told me I'm stupid for using the 220 because it doesn't have the power to stop a yote. Knock on wood, I've never had that problem even at 300 yrds. I guess they don't know how to shoot.

Calling all Predator Bullet Connoisseurs! I am looking for a highly accurate bullet in the 50-55 grain range that will not tear an exit hole in a fox or yote the size of your fist. My favorite rifle is a Winchester model 70 Coyote in the 22-250 and I would like to load up something that will not tear such a huge hole or preferably no exit at all. Thanks for your help folks.

Trent

Born in the Country,
Work like a Slave,
Predator Trapping is all that I Crave

Rick Jamison, who writes for Shooting Times and once made a living shooting coyotes for fur, suggests the 40gr. V-Max. Says the base of the Ballistic Tip (which is pretty thick) will sometimes exit, and the Hornadys are a bit more fragile and will usually stay in.

Nosler lists loads for the 40gr. BT at over 4,000fps so they'll certainly hold together in many rifles, including mine. If they're coming apart, so will the V-max, and the culprit is almost certainly a rough barrel.

Good luck.

Rick Jamison, who writes for Shooting Times and once made a living shooting coyotes for fur, suggests the 40gr. V-Max. Says the base of the Ballistic Tip (which is pretty thick) will sometimes exit, and the Hornadys are a bit more fragile and will usually stay in.

Nosler lists loads for the 40gr. BT at over 4,000fps so they'll certainly hold together in many rifles, including mine. If they're coming apart, so will the V-max, and the culprit is almost certainly a rough barrel.

Good luck.

Thanks Everyone, I am going to try the 40gr. V-Max. I will also look into the situation with the barrel on my 22-250. I agree that they should not be coming apart. :)

Calling all Predator Bullet Connoisseurs! I am looking for a highly accurate bullet in the 50-55 grain range that will not tear an exit hole in a fox or yote the size of your fist. My favorite rifle is a Winchester model 70 Coyote in the 22-250 and I would like to load up something that will not tear such a huge hole or preferably no exit at all. Thanks for your help folks.

Trent

Born in the Country,
Work like a Slave,
Predator Trapping is all that I Crave
Sorry about that the sierra 40 gr hollow point will not exit!

FMJ surplus buy in bulk. Should fill the bill but would exit without expanding.

I've been using the 50 grain V-max in my .223, and most of the time it does not make a big exit. Once in a while, yes.

If you can't get the 40gr bullets to work in your barrel, try the 50gr V-Max.

trapper.i like noslers 55gr bt. for yotes usually always exit unless there way out there, but the hole is manageable usually quarter size and always knocks them over. i use the 40 gr. in my 223 for closer work and seldom exits, but when it does its ugly.hope this helps good shooting.