Lightning death/easy on fur

[scottprice]

I’m hoping to find a unicorn cartridge. I don’t like to make a mess of them when I shoot them, but I also don’t want to track them 200 yards.

I recently won a coyote contest and I get a custom bolt action rifle. What cartridge and bullet would you guys be selecting?

My max distance is 300 yards with a large majority between 80 and 150.

 

[Lee_R]

204 ruger or 20 Practical (if you hand load.)

 

[scottprice]

204 ruger or 20 Practical (if you hand load.)

I’m liking the looks of both do you see a reason to mess with the 20Prac being that they are so close basically though?

 

[Tmac]

20 Vartarg at those ranges.

 

[Skerhunter]

My opinion is it doesn’t really exist beyond 200 yards. You can either be easy on fur 100% of the time or be good to 300 100% of the time with varying degrees of fur damage.

20 cal with heavies (55) at 3500+ might be the unicorn, but not a ton out there.

 

[Lee_R]

I’m liking the looks of both do you see a reason to mess with the 20Prac being that they are so close basically though?

Only if you reload. Might save you a few bucks since the 20 Practical uses 223 brass (which is everywhere and cheap). 204 will cost you just over $1/rd...it's not bad.

 

[scottprice]

My opinion is it doesn’t really exist beyond 200 yards. You can either be easy on fur 100% of the time or be good to 300

I should say I’ve never taken a 300 yard shot, farthest coyote shot is 220 steps. 300 is just the maximum possible distance at my spots. No giant fields here

 

[Skerhunter]

I should say I’ve never taken a 300 yard shot, farthest coyote shot is 220 steps. 300 is just the maximum possible distance at my spots. No giant fields here

So 200 yards is “common max” then maybe? Just a few would be past that? That would allow you to shoot a slower cartridge.

What do you shoot now?

I use the following math when discussing this stuff (after learning the hard way) coyote vitals are ~4” you shoot a 1” group at 4000 fps. At 200 yards you only have 1-2” of drop and shoot a 2” group (doable). At ~275 you have 4” of drop and group opens up more. You start getting more fringe hits with big holes and runners.

Slow down to 3500 fps and by 250 you have 4” of drop. Below that soeed and 200 yards it can get messy.

 

[MannyMedeiros21]

204 ruger with 40 grain vmax


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[scottprice]

So 200 yards is “common max” then maybe? Just a few would be past that? That would allow you to shoot a slower cartridge.

What do you shoot now?

Exactly right with your first statement. Even 200 is rare. But I currently use a 223 and haven’t been thrilled with the ability to drop them, or the fur damage. I’m picky with my shots and don’t sling lead either. Admittedly, I’ve only tried 3 different projectiles with it

 

[Skerhunter]

Exactly right with your first statement. Even 200 is rare. But I currently use a 223 and haven’t been thrilled with the ability to drop them, or the fur damage. I’m picky with my shots and don’t sling lead either. Admittedly, I’ve only tried 3 different projectiles with it

I know what you mean, I’m not a 223/varmint bullet fan for 150+ yard shots. You will see a noticeable improvement if you get a faster cartridge. Just have to decide if you want to go down to 20 cal or stay with .224 (more options).

Your situation you might want a heavier eldm/tmk type bullet going at a decent speed to keep your drops acceptable out to 250 and less damage compare to a vmax/BT. A few guys on here shoot similar set ups and I bet they chime in shortly!

 

[scottprice]

I know what you mean, I’m not a 223/varmint bullet fan for 150+ yard shots. You will see a noticeable improvement if you get a faster cartridge. Just have to decide if you want to go down to 20 cal or stay with .224 (more options).

Also looked at a few 6mm cartridges, I have a hard time believing blowouts aren’t more probable with them though

Ultimately leaning towards 20Prac, 22creed, 22arc, 204 or 22-250

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

I would echo what others have said about the .204 Ruger. I am currently shooting 31gn Hammer Hunters(Monos) at a little over 4000fps and it has been pretty easy on fur.

 

[Skerhunter]

Also looked at a few 6mm cartridges, I have a hard time believing blowouts aren’t more probable with them though

Ultimately leaning towards 20Prac, 22creed, 22arc, 204 or 22-250

22 creed will be just like the faster 6mms, maybe better bullet selection.

 

[KenLee]

22-250 with Hornady Superformance 35 gr NTX. Wrecks inside and usually no exit.

 

[TheGDog]

22-250 with Hornady Superformance 35 gr NTX. Wrecks inside and usually no exit.

If you're very close to the target, and the 35gr NTX (mine was .223 Rem) hits bones on the way out, it'll make a hole, but nothing a competent taxidermist wouldn't be able to easily fix.

For shotgun sets, have had great success with HEVI-BISMUTH Duck/Goose Loads whatever shot size is the largest they have at the time, sometimes #4, sometimes #2 sometimes #1.

You only see the tiny shot pellet holes thru the hide.