V-Max vs. Ballistic Tip for 'Yotes

T

TheBaron

New member
Hey guys,

I plan to give coyote calling a try again this year, and I have picked up a sweet little Remington 700 BDL carbine (20" barrel) in .222 mag. for the job (I love the oddball cartridges). After several years of concentrating on geese, I am once again assembling my handloading gear (it's been a while) and I am wondering what bullet might be best to try. Velocities will be essentially equal to a .223. I was considering a 40gr. V-max to minimize pelt damage, but after reading a little about bullet "splash" on another thread, perhaps this is too light? I have a supply of 50gr. V-max that my Rem. 788 in .222 just loves and these were very effective for me in my groundhog hunting days.

What would you guys suggest for coyote hand-loads... the 40gr. or 50gr.? Also, is there an advantage to the V-max or ballistic tips? Looking at cross-sections of both, it looks like the V-max is more likely to disintegrate completely as there is no significant base stucture. The ballistic tip shows a heavier base, so I would expect better penetration. Do I want more penetration? For the average of all odd-angled opportunities, is the heavier bullet a better choice? I do not expect ranges to exceed 200 yards.
 
I would go with the 50 grain as well. I use 55 grain ballistic tips in my .22-250, and they really do some damage to rabbits and prairie dogs. It does appear the VMax does a bit more damage, but not much. I do not think either of these bullets would be considered fur friendly, but they are very effective!
 
I shoot the 55 gr Ballistic tips in 22-250. I rarely have an exit hole. However I do have a problem if I take a close shoulder shot, the bullet comes apart without a lot of penetration. I also have trouble getting enough penetration on shots while the coyote is running away. I have shot the vmax also with similar results.
That being said, I've seen nothing take apart a prairie dog like these bullets, and I feel I have the least chance at a ricochet with these frangible bullets. It is worth it to me to lose a coyote or two from lack of penetration (taking shots at them running away), to decrease the chance of a ricochet.
I also haven't shot any bullets that group any better.
I'd think at your velocities you will be satisfied with the performance on boiler room shots.
Just my 2 cents worth.
 
50 and 55 gr. Nosler BT's are the way to go with your .222. The reduced speed compared to let's say a 22-250, will be pretty good on non-shoulder shots. I think that the V-Max's are more destructive, but that is only my opinion. Others like them....JOHN
 
Ive had good luck with the vmax in my 223 and my 22-250 on coyotes. Most of the time they dont exit but they still are very effictive on the kills. Today my friend killed one with a 204 loaded with a 40 gr vmax. The bullet went through the ribs and left an exit hole about the size of a dime. It dropde the thing dead as a hammer and left me with a good pelt.
 
I've been using 50gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips loaded with Hodgdon's Benchmark out of my 22" Ruger KM77RFP MKII in .223 Remington. Muzzle velocity averages 3310 FPS and accuracy is great. All of the small varmints and crows I have shot with this bullet are dead instantly. I have only shot one Coyote with this bullet and it too was a one shot kill. The shot was about 350 yards and I hit the near side shoulder. The bullet did not exit and the Coyote never took a step after the shot.

Larry
 
Quote:
whats the best fur friendly bullet, im thinking 55 fmj but i dont know for sure.



If you want to collect fur you need to loose the rifle. Traps and snares are so much better using any rifle is ridiculous.

Jack
 
I've found that the 50gr V-max starts losing it's "explosive" quality somewhere around 200YDs at .223 velocities. Not that it won't do the job, just that you will likely have a higher percentage of runners.

A more solid bullet in the same weight, heavier weight frangible, or more velocity, will work better on coyote sized targets at 200YDs or more.
 


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