Coyote Bullets

What is Best for You?

- Phil Massaro

Phil shot this Texas coyote that paused just a half-second too long.

While it isn't generally recommended bullets for hunting, the Sierra MatchKing to use match-grade is great on coyotes.

Sitting in one of my favorite deer spots a small stone seat at the base of a huge oak in the middle of a nice hardwoods - I was looking to fill a doe tag, as I'd filled my buck tag three days prior. The gut pile had been barely touched, presumably by crows or ravens and was clearly visible down the logging road. The unmistakable sound of footsteps in the dry leaves caressed my ears, and soon, the big, blonde coyote stepped out onto that road, sniffing for the gut pile. A 180-grain Sierra bullet soon ended the possibility of a meal, and I quickly learned that a .300 Winchester Magnum and a soft-point best designed for big game might not be the ideal combination for furbearers. However, I have a motto: A good coyote is a dead coyote.

Affordable FMJ bullets include Hornady's Frontier line.

I hunt deer in an area where the possibility of a black bear isn't a rarity, so I tend to use 7mms and .30 calibers, and many coyotes are taken during deer/bear season as the opportunity presents itself, with the serious coyote hunting usually taking place in January, February and March. As a result, there have been some horrific wounds inflicted, resulting in a very dead, but very messy coyote. Trust me, a 405-grain soft-point from a .45-70 Government at woods velocities will make a mess on a coyote's shoulder.

In windy conditions, the Berger 6mm 80-grain flat-base bullet in the .243 Winchester will get the job done.