7.62 Ball Ammo on Coyote?

Joshua M. Smith · 09-28-2007, 01:36 AM

Hi All,

I'm having trouble finding any softpoint 7.62x54R locally.

I just picked up 100 rounds of Brown Bear 185gr spitzer.

I'm wondering how a .30-06 class round performs on coyote sized varmints with FMJ ammo. I'm stuck with it until I find (or, maybe just this time, order from the 'net) some softpoint.

I wouldn't use it on deer, but shooting a water jug vaporized quite a bit of it, and showed energy transfer to be adequate even if it didn't "dump" it in with an expanding tip.

I'm thinking hydrostatic shock may come into play here. It's something I dismissed long ago, but I hadn't done anything extensive with rounds running around 3000fps yet either.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Josh <><

Lng Rng · 09-28-2007, 02:04 AM

I guess it depends on weather you want to save the hides or not. If you were hunting to simply reduce numbers, then I would go with a more rapid expanding 125 or 150 grain bullet. If a saving the hide is a concern, the FMJ will be a better bet, I just don't know how the pin hole would perform on a body shot. If you use the FMJ, go for a head/neck or shoulder shot.

lefty o · 09-29-2007, 01:33 AM

if you wouldnt use it on deer, why would you use it on coyotes? whether your shooting pest, varmint or big game animal your goal should be the same- fast humane kills. a coyote is big enough that it can walk away after a marginal hit with a bad shot, an expanding bullet will help minimize the chances of that happening with a marginal hit.

Bravo · 09-29-2007, 02:23 AM

Maybe I'm missing something, but hitting a coyote (30lbs?) with a .30cal slug moving nearly 3000fps is going to do it in. It won't know the difference between soft point and FMJ, because both are going to end its life almost instantly (considering that the shooter is aiming for the head or chest cavity).

The coyote in Maine aren't tough like deer...maybe they're different elsewhere.

damage855 · 10-02-2007, 05:20 PM

I have used my M44 for many kioti kills. the 7.62 will work fine as long as you dont wont the hides. if you wont the hides you should use a 223. or simular round.

killer · 10-02-2007, 06:17 PM

I used 30-06 FMJ for a few years on coyote and fox. The only reason I switched was for giggles to try something different. Heres a pic of my best night using an ADL Rem 700 30-06 with an 8x Schmidt and Bender heavy crosshair. I put the ADL in a choate sniper stock for a few years.

http://buckmountainchateau.com/image...fox_coyote.tif (A tad long in the download but worth it)

If a FMJ hits bone it can make a big exit. The coyote was hit a tad low in chest and went about 50 yards in some thick stuff and the fox was hit in the neck I think and dropped on the spot. I can see blood on the neck. I don't remember for sure that one.

I have a couple of Nagants and I load with FMJ if I go out for coyote without any concerns. Like Lefty o says you don't want a marginal hit.

I'm currently using a 25-06 with some expanding bullets and it can make a big hole. This pic show the exit as it angled through one particular fox.

I thought this was the round for me due to the damage but I've had two different coyote escape one of which was hit close to the spine. I was finding blood on both sides of the body. Based on the fox hit I would of thought the coyotes spine to be damaged but we tracked for a mile. I like to hunt them at night over bait (road kill deer) in northern Minnesota. You can read part of that weeks hunting trip on this page: 2007 Cabin Log

I talked to a guy once about his fur gun and to my surprise he answered. "It's a 264 magnum." "What the..." I responded, "What about the holes?"

"I just sew them up." He said. "The magnum makes sure they don't go too far."

So there's a guy that shot alot of fur over the winter and his theory was to make bigger holes in the animal on purpose to give him an edge on anchoring them. He probably made quite a few running shots and wounded quite a few. It was strictly business for him to make a few thousand dollars over the winter.

ezearln · 10-02-2007, 06:24 PM

Small bore FMJ or splintering projectiles are best for fur bearing critters minimizes pelt damage and helps you get the best prices for your furs.

samuel · 10-04-2007, 05:45 AM

Tried FMJ,s and they worked except sometimes they would run and without blood trail they are hard to find.In the .22 bullets the .223 with 40 gr vmax was the best having 300yd+ capabilitys and the bullet seldom exiting.Didnt work on fox too good. The object of stitching is so the hide will stretch right.If there is a gaping hole the hide around it doesnt get stretched tight.It takes little skill and no real time. sam.

09-28-2007, 01:36 AM	#1
Joshua M. Smith Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Wabash IN Posts: 424	7.62 Ball Ammo on Coyote? Hi All, I'm having trouble finding any softpoint 7.62x54R locally. I just picked up 100 rounds of Brown Bear 185gr spitzer. I'm wondering how a .30-06 class round performs on coyote sized varmints with FMJ ammo. I'm stuck with it until I find (or, maybe just this time, order from the 'net) some softpoint. I wouldn't use it on deer, but shooting a water jug vaporized quite a bit of it, and showed energy transfer to be adequate even if it didn't "dump" it in with an expanding tip. I'm thinking hydrostatic shock may come into play here. It's something I dismissed long ago, but I hadn't done anything extensive with rounds running around 3000fps yet either. Thoughts? Thanks, Josh <>< __________________ Is it better to live by a corrupt society's standards rather than face persecution for not doing the same? This is the dilemma we now face. We must hold fast to our convictions as we confront this dilemma. Knowing one's self goes a long way in the crisis. - Me, Standup Philosopher

10-02-2007, 05:20 PM	#5
damage855 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina / Lake Norman Posts: 942 Blog Entries: 1	I have used my M44 for many kioti kills. the 7.62 will work fine as long as you dont wont the hides. if you wont the hides you should use a 223. or simular round. __________________ If total goverment control will make us all safer, then why are prisons so dangerous?

10-02-2007, 06:17 PM	#6
killer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the rat race Posts: 928 Images: 6	I used 30-06 FMJ for a few years on coyote and fox. The only reason I switched was for giggles to try something different. Heres a pic of my best night using an ADL Rem 700 30-06 with an 8x Schmidt and Bender heavy crosshair. I put the ADL in a choate sniper stock for a few years. http://buckmountainchateau.com/image...fox_coyote.tif (A tad long in the download but worth it) If a FMJ hits bone it can make a big exit. The coyote was hit a tad low in chest and went about 50 yards in some thick stuff and the fox was hit in the neck I think and dropped on the spot. I can see blood on the neck. I don't remember for sure that one. I have a couple of Nagants and I load with FMJ if I go out for coyote without any concerns. Like Lefty o says you don't want a marginal hit. I'm currently using a 25-06 with some expanding bullets and it can make a big hole. This pic show the exit as it angled through one particular fox. I thought this was the round for me due to the damage but I've had two different coyote escape one of which was hit close to the spine. I was finding blood on both sides of the body. Based on the fox hit I would of thought the coyotes spine to be damaged but we tracked for a mile. I like to hunt them at night over bait (road kill deer) in northern Minnesota. You can read part of that weeks hunting trip on this page: 2007 Cabin Log I talked to a guy once about his fur gun and to my surprise he answered. "It's a 264 magnum." "What the..." I responded, "What about the holes?" "I just sew them up." He said. "The magnum makes sure they don't go too far." So there's a guy that shot alot of fur over the winter and his theory was to make bigger holes in the animal on purpose to give him an edge on anchoring them. He probably made quite a few running shots and wounded quite a few. It was strictly business for him to make a few thousand dollars over the winter. __________________ "Yeee Hawww...I'm a cowboy on an iron horse." Killer's cabin: http://buckmountainchateau.com/

10-02-2007, 06:24 PM	#7
ezearln Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 3,175	Small bore FMJ or splintering projectiles are best for fur bearing critters minimizes pelt damage and helps you get the best prices for your furs. __________________ "You can have my Freedom when I'm done with it!"

09-28-2007, 02:04 AM	#2
Lng Rng Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 962	I guess it depends on weather you want to save the hides or not. If you were hunting to simply reduce numbers, then I would go with a more rapid expanding 125 or 150 grain bullet. If a saving the hide is a concern, the FMJ will be a better bet, I just don't know how the pin hole would perform on a body shot. If you use the FMJ, go for a head/neck or shoulder shot.

09-29-2007, 01:33 AM	#3
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,111	if you wouldnt use it on deer, why would you use it on coyotes? whether your shooting pest, varmint or big game animal your goal should be the same- fast humane kills. a coyote is big enough that it can walk away after a marginal hit with a bad shot, an expanding bullet will help minimize the chances of that happening with a marginal hit.

09-29-2007, 02:23 AM	#4
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 2,022	Maybe I'm missing something, but hitting a coyote (30lbs?) with a .30cal slug moving nearly 3000fps is going to do it in. It won't know the difference between soft point and FMJ, because both are going to end its life almost instantly (considering that the shooter is aiming for the head or chest cavity). The coyote in Maine aren't tough like deer...maybe they're different elsewhere.

10-04-2007, 05:45 AM	#8
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,237	Tried FMJ,s and they worked except sometimes they would run and without blood trail they are hard to find.In the .22 bullets the .223 with 40 gr vmax was the best having 300yd+ capabilitys and the bullet seldom exiting.Didnt work on fox too good. The object of stitching is so the hide will stretch right.If there is a gaping hole the hide around it doesnt get stretched tight.It takes little skill and no real time. sam.