Best Factory Loads for 300 Weatherby on Coyotes

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Ben L

New member
One of my old friends recently called me over to his house, told me he was getting out of the hunting game, and gifted me his fully custom 300 Weatherby Mag and Leopold scope combo. He said he didn’t want it just sitting in his safe gathering dust. I decided to take up coyote hunting this year, and it’s the only long range rifle I have. Thing is, I’m a leatherworker and I want to save the hide. Are there any factory loads out there that wont simply erase the yotes in a puff of red mist? I will be mostly prairie hunting if that makes a difference. My short range options include a Henry 30-30 and Grandpa’s old Sears 16ga.
 
Long story short. Unless you get lucky with a hard hunting bullet like a Barnes tsx turning them inside out will be an understatement.
 
big game bullet will work just fine unless you hit bone.
I have killed fox with a 270, a few of them. Works way better than a 223 for not blowing them up.
 
Thanks for your responses everyone! I now have a followup question: Will the weight of the bullet make any difference? I know 150gr are easy enough to get, and I hear that Weatherby is putting out a 135gr now, but it seems like 180-200 is most common. Also, will the type of bullet matter? For example, is an FMJ better in this situation than a JHP?
 
300 WBY against 30# dog? I'd be interested to see the 110gr VMAX, but doubt it would work. But that thing at 3600+ fps would grenade a bit, but would be interested in seeing results. Or try a Hornady SST, or another ballistic tip. I just wanna know the results.

EDIT: Crap, didn't see that you were looking for factory ammo, but would still be interested in see the results stated above.
 
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Originally Posted By: Ben LIs an FMJ better in this situation than a JHP?

Ben, if you want to save the hides then you do not want rapid expansion combined with high velocity. Hydrostatic and hydraulic shock results in big holes. I'm pretty sure that there are no FMJ .300 Weatherby loads out there unless you buy them from a custom loader.

Seems to me that an controlled expansion bullet, like one designed for big game, would do the least amount of fur damage. Shoot though the ribs and you likely will be fine.

I had a coworker that used a 7mm Remington mag for his coyotes. Used a 175 grain bullet. Dont recall if he saved pelts or not.
 
Again, thanks for your help! I think I’m going to go with a Barnes TSX or a HSM VLD. Hopefully it will be a nice straight .30 cal hole all the way through. If I can take a headshot, I will. One shot, one kill is the goal
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The 30-30 wouldn't tear them up. If you'll be calling them in you'll probably have more close shots than not if you set up right.
 
Shot several with my 338wm and the same load i used for elk or bear 180gr. Like was stated, shoot em through the ribs and it will be fine.
 
Gotta take perfect head on shots only. It's imperative to line up where you place the bullet in the chest with the coyote anus. With a good hard bullet there will be a pin hole in and the exit will be impossible to locate. Again, and I can't stress this enough, line up the anus. Good hunting...
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Originally Posted By: GCGotta take perfect head on shots only. It's imperative to line up where you place the bullet in the chest with the coyote anus. With a good hard bullet there will be a pin hole in and the exit will be impossible to locate. Again, and I can't stress this enough, line up the anus. Good hunting...
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A number of years ago, I called a coyote that came straight down the sendero towards us with his mouth open and his tongue was hanging out noticeably; it was a very hot day.

I was watching through binoculars from directly behind my partner and the coyote dropped like a rock at the shot (30-06 w/150 gr. NP bullets). Upon close inspection, we found NO bullet holes. Fur is no good down here and we were not curious enough to perform an autopsy, but obviously the bullet entered his mouth and did not exit. I suspect it struck the spine which absorbed all the energy??

Originally Posted By: crapshootShot several with my 338wm and the same load i used for elk or bear 180gr. Like was stated, shoot em through the ribs and it will be fine.

I, too have shot a number of coyotes with my 338 WM w/210 gr. NP w/mixed results. Ribs fine/shoulder not so much. A couple w/375 h&h about the same, maybe a bit less damaging due to heavier constructed bullets @ slower velocity.

Regards,
hm
 
Perfectly placed shots can impress everyone, on purpose or not.
Once questioned by a state trooper how I killed an elk, then the game wardens.
Shot it through the ears with a 300 wm, no visible holes.
 
Warning: This is a bit of a mess....

Be careful…. This guy was taken with a .270 shooting 140 gr Hornady Custom Boat Tail Spire Point Interlock bullet. This is the exit side:

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I would also suggest, as has been stated above, you shoot one of the "bonded" (and that usually means more expensive) rounds. The bonded rounds are deigned for deep penetration on heavy animals. I also shot one with my .338 shooting one of the old "Trophy Bonded Bear Claw" rounds and all it did was drop the yote right there with only a caliber size hole in and out.

You need to fire that beast a few time to acclimate yourself to what is going to happen when you pull that trigger. What ever you do, DO NOT, repeat DO NOT crawl that stock to get to the scope.... you will really regret it.

Nuf said....
 
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