Best caliber for fur?

[Tbone58]

I like the .204 ruger 32 gr vmax and .22-250 50 gr vmax. Going suppressed this year I’m excited! Also both rounds put fur down and no damage. Always had good luck with both

 

[cmenard01]

.17 for anything under 100 yards. My go to for coyote is a 22-250 with a 50gr. You'll be limited in ammo availability unless you reload or know someone that does. Good luck.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[WCB]

I know a few people that run .17 Remingtons no issue with pelts...220swifts, .222, .204 and similar will all work. I personally shoot a 17 Hornet when I might be getting into more fox than yotes or an even mix. If I am mainly going after yotes I shoot a .223 with 50 grain federal American Eagle hollow points. I would say most .223 varmint type loads will serve you well. If you can stay away from hitting major bone no problems.

If prices were like last year I wouldn't worry unless you are blowing giant holes through them. Sell them in the round. If you are putting them up or green skinning learn to sew as even the best load eventually you will open a good dog up.

 

[Espratt]

I like my AR and run 53 Vmax’s getting about 3200 FPS and they have a great BC

 

[TheGDog]

.17 for anything under 100 yards. My go to for coyote is a 22-250 with a 50gr. You'll be limited in ammo availability unless you reload or know someone that does. Good luck.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Which .17 for under 100yds? You talking the centerfires, or HMR?

 

[Erict]

I prefer .17 rimfire for fox, bobcat or coyote out to about 150 yards (.17 WSM) depending on wind.

I prefer .17 centerfire for fox / bobcat out to 300 (17 Fireball), and .223 (40 gr.) if I mostly expect coyotes anywhere from 100-400.

10 or 12-guage shotgun with the proper loads are also pretty fur friendly out to 50-60 yards.

Between COVID related economic woes, the unsold inventory of furs from past years and NAFA going bankrupt, the fur markets could be trying this season, though western silky coyotes and nice white-bellied bobcats will probably still do well.

Good luck!

 

[Muletrip]

I like my 22-250 with 52gr. hollow points. As long as you keep it off the shoulder blade it does little damage to the fur.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

A .17HMR is fine for bobcat and fox for up close and personal shots but for yotes & lions a 22-250 or 222 swift is ideal within 200 yards.

 

[FLAK]

I'm still holding out for a .22 Super Magnum, rimfire.

 

[Treerat-sniper]

I ran a 700 in .17 Rem & a 700 in .17 mach IV for a few years. They were great on fur, I'm not really sure why, but I lost interest in the .17s... Currently run a Tikka .22-250 (1:14) with 52 grain Speers for fur... haven't really found a load that this rifle doesn't shoot well, playing with Hornady 60 gr SP lately.

 

[couesaddict13]

22 hornet with a 45 grain soft point.

 

[TheGDog]

A .17HMR is fine for bobcat and fox for up close and personal shots but for yotes & lions a 22-250 or 222 swift is ideal within 200 yards.

Hey Bruce! In your opinion... If you only had your .17 HMR along with you at the time, just how close would you want a yote to be before you pulled the trigger?

 

[Michael54]

22-250 with 60gr vmax is my go to

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Hey Bruce! In your opinion... If you only had your .17 HMR along with you at the time, just how close would you want a yote to be before you pulled the trigger?

Killed one at 50 yards, don't think I'd wanna go beyond 75-100 yards as the ballistics just don't support it. Even at 50 the songdog ran 140 yards before dropping. It was tense watching him bolt off. Couldn't see the impact (perfect shot) and thought I had missed as he lit out at warp speed. A 22-250 will get em doing donut holes or drop DRT.

 

[Erict]

Fur friendly often means only one hole going in and little or no blood trail, so I often have to wait for a better angle.

 

[TheGDog]

Killed one at 50 yards, don't think I'd wanna go beyond 75-100 yards as the ballistics just don't support it. Even at 50 the songdog ran 140 yards before dropping. It was tense watching him bolt off. Couldn't see the impact (perfect shot) and thought I had missed as he lit out at warp speed. A 22-250 will get em doing donut holes or drop DRT.

Hrmm... yeah I was thinking about 80yds. Judging from when I make bunnies do backflips at 80yds with that .17 HMR I'd figure that'd be about the limit. Still has a good amount of "Pop!" at that distance.

One time had one present itself at some distance I didn't have time to range. I'd guessed 100yd+. But was probably more like 125-130. It's sighted in at 100yd. It was already dropping enough with that low .BC that it didn't hit that nice size cottontail.

When I got back home I review the ballistics and yeah... sure enough... just a littl after 100yd is when it begins it's descent that starts tapering off sharply.


BTW... Bruce, reach out to me with a PM so we can maybe setup to do some outings for coyote after the new year. Hopefully by then things will calm down enough I can finally get around to installing the new trigger on the AR that I'd like to start using for coyotes.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I usually give the dawgs the winter/spring off unless I'm doing ADC work on a cattle ranch. I'm headed to south Texas in January to hunt for a blue bull with my recurve. Might do some hoggin' too...if I have time.

 

[MLGrace]

The best in my opinion after hundreds of coyotes is the old 222 rem. I no longer own one unfortunately but the 223 is an acceptable alternative for me and what currently use.

 

[Northwoods Drifter]

Depends where your at and your shot distance.

 

[Koby_Paul]

I’m curious as to everyone’s opinion on which caliber is best at minimizing fur damage. I’m looking at getting a little extra coin with some coyote pelts this winter. Thanks in advance!

22 cal. close range and farther ranges 17 hmr.