was wondering if anybody has any suggestions on bullets that you have found to be fur friendly and tend not to blow huge holes in coyotes.
Full metal jacket bullets do not expand, so they would be the ultimate fur-saver. I've heard two distinctly different views on using FMJ ammo. One is that the small hole in and small hole out will not produce a quick kill, and too often a skimpy blood trail results in a lost animal, The other comes from guys who use FMJ ammo, and they maintain that losing animals has not been a problem for them. To be honest, I bought a box of FMJ ammo for my .222 and have never tried it to see if losing wounded animals is a real issue or not. I haven't shot enough coyotes with the Hornady V-Max ammo I am using to form an opinion about it yet. I am a fur hunter too, and am always looking for something that will produce a bang-flop and require no sewing.
In what caliber?
17 - 30 gn Golds
204 - 40 gn Berger
224 - 55 gn Sierra #1390 - not so much on bobcats from a 22-250 though.
Within the 22 cal class of bullets, there is no 100% effect fur friendly bullet but the v-max works quite well and is my go to bullet in the 223 and 22-250 for coyote. For fox you need to look at the .17 rem, the 22 WMR or similar. While it is true that the FMJ does not expand, the sm entrance/exit hole on a small animal is an accurate statement on paper. The shear speed of a 22 cal FMJ bullet can open up a lg exit hole and even worse if a bone is hit. Most experienced furbear hunters will not use a FMJ. There are other 22 cal bullets that work great and I don't know what is the most popular 22 cal bullet used for fur, but I am sure that the v-max is up there pretty high. Many of the newer 22 cal bullets are designed to enter and fragment on the inside resulting in no exit hole. The most fun and most rewarding part is experimenting and see what works the best first hand. Good luck.
FMJ's have worked for me for years on Coyote, fox and rabbits. They are all easy to kill with fmj's and the pencil like hole is easy to sew.
Vmax in 22-250 do not wreck coyotes in my experience. Hit them in the center of the chest. Often no exit.
The best bullet I have ever found, is a hornady 52gr hpbt.
Speer, 52 Gr. HP, flat base.
My favorite....#4 Buck, never wrecks a hide!!
As someone else mentioned, caliber of choice would be nice. This is just me but the FMJ's are the last choice I would make.
Irregardless of cal, staying off the major bones (spine/shoulder/breats on a frontal shot) are pretty much priority for me if I want to be fur friendly.
Dober
Berger mef's and Vmax's are friendly...depending on the cart??
Fast expansion is great - until it occurs on the surface of the coyote. I've used Varmint Grenades, hollow points of a couple different varieties, Vmax, Btip, FMJ, and soft points. The only bullet that has never ruined a hide is the soft point (and I can shoot the odd fox without destroying them). Doesn't matter where you shoot em' - no explosions. FMJ are no good - as stated - they can make a big hole, work perfectly, or zip through and the coyote runs off. Too inconsistent. I take the first makeable shot I'm presented with on coyotes, no waiting for the perfect angle. I wouldn't kill nearly as many if I waited for them to turn broadside every time.
I've seen Vmax used in .204, .221 Fireball, 22 Hornet, .223, and 22-250, every single one has ruined coyote or fox. Just not a good fur bullet. They do kill em' deader than he11.
I agree with this. I used to motivate the old 45 gr. Hornet at 33 to 3400 fps out of any # of 22 centerfires with very consistent results fur wise be it fox, cat or coyote. Fur friendly and deadly. Been a while since I've played at this game seriously though so there is bound to be some really good stuff out there to experiment with. I remember nearly cutting a yodel dog in half once with a thin jacketed 6mm bullet searching for that kill 'em dead no exit nirvana.
could just be luck but Ive had great success with sierra 85 gr. HPs out of a 243 winchester most times I just end up with a pin hole goin in and can hardly find any blood and the coyote rattles like a jar full of marbles but the pelt is almost perfect.............