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.
