looking for a good coyote bullet that wont destroy the pelt

[bertrunner]

im looking for a good coyote bullet that wont destroy the pelt. I am thinking of going with the 107gr SMK. does anyone know who if these will be any better than the 123gr A Max or should i try something lighter

[JohnOD]

Can't help with the SMK's or A Max. I've only shot Coyotes with Nosler 100 and 120 Ballistic Tips. Neither one is what I would call "fur friendly"

[txgunner00]

I've had pretty good results w/ 55 hornady PSPs on fox and bobcat from a .223. Knocks them DRT and doesn't put too big of a hole in them. I know of one old timer trapper/ taxidermist that only uses FMJs on fur-bearers though. He would rather track them a little than blow a hole in the pelt.

[terrywick4]

I think the SMK is a hollow point, not good on pelts.

[bwaites]

Solids make little holes in and out.

Varmint bullets should do the job well, like the VMax.

I'm not a pelt hunter, but I do know not to try the 100 Barnes, I shot one with it, and it looked like someone had unzipped him on the back side!

[fanofflyn]

I've shot lots of animals through and through with TSX's and TTSX's, and have never destroyed a pelt with one.

[vanguard138]

Fanofflyn, not having any experience with ether the TSX or TTSX what is the basic difference between the two?

[hm2 clark]

Ahh...140gr FMJ. In and out.

[donthiturhead]

I've used the 120 gr Remington Core Lokt PSP, only because that is what I had in the gun for deer. Pass through with little pelt damage and they are relatively cheap.

[fanofflyn]

TSX is the older design. It has a small hollowpoint similar to the size of a Sierra target bullet. Athough I never had evidence of poor opening, there were some people who said there were occasions that they failed to open. the TTSX has a much larger hollowpoint, and is filled with a polymer tip to keep it more aerodynamic. Within the recommended velocity ranges, the bullet opens up in the first inch of tissue, and then carries it's weight throughout the penetration. The edges of the copper may be more cutting, and they don't cause much more than a small hole when exiting. In my experience, it's not much different from the entry. I have recovered the polymer tip from the entry hide indicating that it does come off instantly, and I have lots of bullets showing good expansion, but I don't recover as many as I do with other bullets because most of them penetrate the animal. BC of the TTSX is better, and except for the larger calibers, .375 to .510 in the rifles, are my preferred choice of bullet.

[bertrunner]

Well I broke down and ordered the 107gr SMK ill see how these work out. Thanks for the blemish bullet link I will be getting some of those when they notify me.

[vanguard138]

Anyone ever try Hornady 100 gr Spire Point?

[vanguard138]

I have some Siera Varminter 100 gr hollow point but after reading this thread I am assuming (hate to do that) that they would tear em up.

[bertrunner]

U can't assume anything when I comes to a bullet u just have to get out there and she how she does

[vanguard138]

Thanks fanofflyn.

[fanofflyn]

No problem. Not many Barnes fans in Grendel, but I've had good luck with them. Much more finicky to load due to the length versus weight, but they tend to perform above their weight, so I like their performance and accuracy.

[CPT.CRAZY]

I would try the 95 gr vmax I've used it in other cals. and had good luck.

[hobbesgunner]

Speer makes a 90 gr hollow point with a big cavity....probably would frag on impact with no exit....never tried them on woodchucks, just paper....used 108 Lapua Scenars on chucks with great results but wasn't looking to save pelts either

[bwaites]

No problem. Not many Barnes fans in Grendel, but I've had good luck with them. Much more finicky to load due to the length versus weight, but they tend to perform above their weight, so I like their performance and accuracy.

I very much like Barnes, the problem is cost! I shoot as much as I can, so other bullets are my preferred for volume shooting. For game hunting, I would use Barnes!

So far as I know, I loaded the first Barnes TSX's for the Grendel, long before AA had data up for it.

[hm2 clark]

A few years ago Barnes made up some 110gr solid 6.5 bullets. I shot some varmits with them and they did NOT damage the pelt If any ever come back on the market every varmit hunter should buy a couple hundred.

[txgunner00]

Yea, the cost is what keeps me from the Barnes. Swift Sciroccos are in that same boat. Great bullets though. I just can get the same results from a much less expensive bullet.

[bwaites]

A few years ago Barnes made up some 110gr solid 6.5 bullets. I shot some varmits with them and they did NOT damage the pelt If any ever come back on the market every varmit hunter should buy a couple hundred.

Yep, I've got several hundred stocked away! Gorgeous bullets, too!

[txgunner00]

F T ATF:mad: One of their most asinine rulings yet.

[Rod]

I'm new to the 6.5G game and in the process of picking my first bullet for yotes. Think I'll go with the Hornady 95 V-Max based upon my results with the 65 V-Max in my Lilja .243. Little hole going in, big mess inside, no exit hole. That 65 V has been good to me, so the 95 V in 6.5G seems like a possibility. R

[ChellieWiles]

I agree and have those same results.

[Variable]

I'm new to the 6.5G game and in the process of picking my first bullet for yotes. Think I'll go with the Hornady 95 V-Max based upon my results with the 65 V-Max in my Lilja .243. Little hole going in, big mess inside, no exit hole. That 65 V has been good to me, so the 95 V in 6.5G seems like a possibility. R
I'd be cautious on that one. I'd wager you may get a small hole and then a large one where the fragmentation cavity stretches past the hide of the yote on the other side.;):D I could be wrong though. I'm just guessing based on the extra 30 grains of lead. Worth trying though.

For non-expansion/non-fragmentation I'd try the 120gr. Norma FMJ on hides. It may do the least damage if no other solids are available.

[RangerRick]

The Norma 120 grain Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) is perfect for saving pelts. Shoots very accurately too. They are in and out of stock at Midway.

RR