Pelt-friendly .223 bullet?

Six-Gun

I've got an absolutely outstanding .22-250 V-Max load, but while the 1/4 MOA accuracy is exceptional, the bomb-like damage it causes on exit is not good for pelts. This year, I really want to learn how to properly skin and preserve my own harvested hides, so an alternative .223/.22-250 bullet that is more pelt-friendly is a must. Any recommendations?

Teach

Try a FMJ bullet, and drop the velocity back to a starting load. It should drill neat little holes and do minimal pelt damage. Head shots are your friend, whenever possible.
Jerry

N454casull

I have used the Barnes varmint grenades on coyotes. Fast DTR kills with no exit wound. All of them have been with a .223 or a .220swift at less than 300yrds. It pokes a nice little hole in one side and does some serious damage to the gut of the animal.

Durwood

I used to coyote hunt a lot...nowadays they are a target of opportunity for me. I kill them in deer season because they compete for a lot of the same food sources as bobcats and I really want a bobcat mount. I used to use Nosler 55 gr Ballistic tips on coyotes from a .223, 220 Swift and .22-250. Pelt damage varies. A typical chest shot usually make a bigger hole than you really want, but it doesn't usually destroy them. I shot a couple of weeks ago with my 7mm-08 and 140 NBTs at about 100 yds for both and let me tell ya, it was UGLY.

1965Jeff

I really like the accuracy of 55gr ballistic tip bullet but for pelt damage concerns recommend FMJ in .223 as long as you are not @ close range.

calebib

Sierra Match King?

Jay

I've used Barnes Varmint Grenades in 243 with really good results. Those things come apart rapidly on impact and generally don't exit. At least on larger animals. I have blown up some rabbits with them. Otherwise, the FMJ bullet sounds like a good plan and much cheaper.

Six-Gun

Lots of good options tossed out in this thread. I'm going to do some bullet buying this week for my big game rifles anyway, so I may chuck a few boxes of the aforementioned bullets in there with them. The coyote season is in full swing!

breamfisher

cpj wrote: »

Every time I see this post, I think it says " PET friendly .223 bullet".
:tooth:

Glad I ain't the only one with eyes acting up...

Six-Gun

cpj wrote: »

Every time I see this post, I think it says " PET friendly .223 bullet".
:tooth:

Well, when you consider that, here in Nevada, most of the "missing pet" signs have nothing to do with a PERSON taking a pet away, you could argue that ANY .223 bullet is indirectly "pet friendly" when used on a coyote.

Jayhawker

calebib wrote: »

Sierra Match King?

I don't know...I've made some pretty monumental holes in critters with a similar BTHP Match bullet...assuming you don't hit a bone, they're not bad though...