the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

I have always just used a .243, but was wondering if there was a larger caliber that would take a yote, but not have alot of pelt damage to it. I want something for deer and coyotes

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

any of the larger rounds will kill a coyote. with a 25-06 you have to watch what you feed it or it will make a mess. just use the same bullets as you do for deer. you won't have many bang/flops however they will not go far and you won't have that bad of an exit wound. maybe the size of a quarter

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

I used my Marlin 45/70 with cast bullets last year , clean hole in and out

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

If you are able to load a barnes target or solid, they do very little damage to the pelt. And a 308win will work perfectly.

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

Any FMJ bullet from .243 on up will do fine with decent bullet placement. Clean hole in and out. The only major thing to keep in mind is that a solid or FMJ bullet will ricochet very easily rather than blowing apart like a varmint bullet, so shots around livestock or where ricochets are a an issue are problematic with these bullets.

A .308 would be an excellent choice, as bullet selection in .308cal is very good, including FMJ and solid bullets.

Mike

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

For predator I use everything from a 12 ga to 30-06

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

A .243 around here is more than adequate for a deer.

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

As far as most varmit rifles go, .308 is usually the biggest they offer. Not to say that it is the largest you should use but that is usually the largest caliber offered in varmit rifles.

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

For deer and 'yote the .243/6MM is about as good as it gets when it comes to dropping the deer, AND not doing too much damage to 'yote pelts!

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

If you want a cartridge with more knockdown power then your .243Win and still be able to take coyote with not too much pelt damage, get one of the 7mm cartridges. You can get fmj bullets for 7mm, which will not create a large exit wound. You can also have confidence in being able to take elk or moose with 7mm. If you do not want a magnum cartridge, go with the 7mmMauser (7x57mm), which is an excellent round, both in accuracy potential and kill power. In a 7mmMag, I like the 7mmWSM. I have compared that short mag to the 7mmRemMag and ballistically, they are very close. the short mag appears to be able to do whatever the long mag can do. With either magnum you will get the knock down power of a 30-06 in the 160gr bullet weight range AND have a rifle that will shoot flatter then a 30-06.

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

I have had problems making clean kills with FMJs. They poke straight through, sometimes going between vital organs or not doing enough damage for an immediate kill. On one hunt, a buddy shot one in the head with an FMJ. All we could see was his head. The bullet went straight through, requiring a follow up from someone else's ballistic tip to finish the job.

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

It all hinges on whether you want more one shot kills or less pelt damage. I have only taken Red Fox in Northern Baltimore County. I use .223Rem, surplus ammo, on which I have doctored the propellent load and OAL to suit my Tikka M595 Sporter. The rifle shoot ragged clovers off the bench at 200 yds. The foxes that I have hit have dropped, and the exit hole is no bigger then the entry hole.
North Texan, you did not mention which caliber you are using. It seems that the .223Rem is getting the job done for me, using fmj 55gr Surplus bullets.

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

.223

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

Maybe Md. foxes just die easier then do Texas coyote! <8^)

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

I have used FMJ's on foxes and it has always dropped them in their tracks. (.223 and 30-06)

In Idaho, Ohio, and Maine

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

As a fifth generation Texas rancher, I was born with a dislike of coyotes. A lot of my opportunities are those "educated" coyotes that know to stay away from trucks and calls, but just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The wind pushes my scent and sound the other way. That same wind makes precision shooting next to impossible. My goal changes from a precise shot to just being able to hit'em. That works well if I have a bullet that will fragment and shatter something. If it doesn't kill them immediately (although it usually does), it disables them enough I can get a better shot or the dog can polish them off. He knows he won't get his a$$ whipped when the coyotes aren't running on all cylenders.

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

No have no doubt VMax bullets will do the job on fox, no matter where you hit them but if any fragments exit, it does mess up the pelt. Most of the time, with VMax there is no exit wound, with either my .223Rem or my 22-250.

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

your 243 is fine, just use a full metal jacket or similar solid on coyotes. Use a big game bullet on deer.

RE: the largest caliber for predator hunting
 

For me the Max would be the 25-06. Anything bigger gets into some recoill pain after a couple 100 shots at the dog town. I like the 223 because of the mild report and cheap components. I have always been a fan of the 22-250 for long range dogs and other small varmits.