I do know, I don't have to speculate. Killed lots of coyotes with lots of cartridges and lots of bullets - and lots of them with "too big" of cartridges," very rarely ruining hides since I figured that out as a teen a long time ago trying to make money selling hides.

Re-read my post. Whether it's a 7-08 or a .270win (both of which I've used to kill dozens of mid to long range coyotes each), if you're getting that effect, you're not using the right bullet.

Milk jugs aren't coyotes. Shoot a milk jug with an FMJ and you still get an energetic response - that doesn't happen when you throw an FMJ at a coyote. Throw a controlled expansion bullet out of a deer rifle/cartridge at a coyote and you'll put most of your energy into the dirt behind it - but you'll get reliable anchoring.

Hit coyotes with a bullet that won't expand much in a small body and you won't get much damage. I'm not speculating or comparing to water bottles. I'm speaking from real life experience killing real life coyotes.