coyote pelt damage question

mossberg500man

Out of the following calibers which would cause the least damage to a coyote pelt, a softpoint 170 grain .30-30 soft point, softpoint 7.62x39 or 130 grain .270 winchester softpoint bullet

Tflogger

They all depend on where you hit.
I would use solids and go for the vitals.

Riomouse911

With pelts, you want the bullet to go in, ruin the coyote's innards, and then stay in to reduce damage. "Varmint" grade caliber/bullet combinations are what this type of hunting really calls for.

The .30-30 and .270 factory rounds would be set up for "big game"; deer and larger stuff. The Russian maybe or maybe not, depending on the bullet loaded by the ammo manufacturer (many "soft point" bullets are hard as a brick from the foreign makers).

Honestly, none of the listed calibers/bullet weights would be "ideal" varmint loadings, but since you're limited to these three calibers the real question should be which of the above guns do you shoot with the most accuracy in order to kill your intended coyote? Once you have that question answered, any of the three will be effecive coyote killers...but all will probably exit and cause a bit of extra damage to the pelt.

chiefr

quote:Originally posted by Tflogger
They all depend on where you hit.
I would use solids and go for the vitals.



I agree.
I can already see there will be differing opinions.
Solids when they exit may keyhole, but they do not do as much damage.

I have seen far too many varmit bullets launched at high speed make huge gaping holes when they exit. If all the kinetic energy can be retained inside the critter, it would be great, but that can't be guaranteed with a great amount of certainty.

I have serious doubts any of the bullets the OP mentions would reduce pelt damage. If I had a choice between the 3, I would opt for the slowest muzzle velocity.

kumate

I regularly shoot coyotes with my 270, with 150 handloads and they don't tear big holes unless a shoulder is hit, otherwise the hole looks close to the same on both sides. If you plan on selling the hides you can sew hop the holes with dental floss and careful stitching prior to fleshing and stretching

Mobuck

223 with 50 grain Ballistic Tips or 22/250 with 55 BT or Hornady 55 SX. I haven't seen either exit on a solid body hit.
All of the rounds you listed are certain to exit leaving a moderate to severe out hole.

mossberg500man

quote:Originally posted by Mobuck
223 with 50 grain Ballistic Tips or 22/250 with 55 BT or Hornady 55 SX. I haven't seen either exit on a solid body hit.
All of the rounds you listed are certain to exit leaving a moderate to severe out hole.
that's all I've got for centerfires currently I'm tight on gun funds

carbine100

[/quote]that's all I've got for centerfires currently I'm tight on gun funds
[/quote]

...then buy some FMJ for the 7.62 X 39. It will pass through with small entrance and exit holes.

charliemeyer007

+1 fmj 7.62x39

Mobuck

I don't know where you're from, but Midwest coyote fur isn't worth much effort to harvest. Blow a hole in them, enjoy the kill, and try another.

He Dog

.17HMR