Hunting & Fishing Hunting Predators with FMJ rounds when using larger calibers?

[UpSideDown]

I'm putting a new rifle together in 6.5 Creedmoor and would like to take it predator hunting. Animals in question are anything from Nutria/Marmot to Coyote. Anything smaller will likely be rabbit and be taken by shotgun. With a round the size and speed of the 6.5 Creedmoor, would it be appropriate to specifically use FMJ instead of bonded/hollowpoint/softpoint rounds for smaller animals in this size range? I would like to balance a humane kill with a salvageable pelt.

I also have a .223 I have used in the past but I'd like to get used to running the 6.5CM in the bush before we go for deer.

 

[XLR308]

The biggest problem I would personally be concerned with is over penetration and were is that projectile going on exit.
Another issue you allready stated is humane kill.
And if the basis of using the rifle to become more accustomed to it I would recommend using the same ammo you intend to use the majority of the time.
If you are a reloader you could work up a more appropriate load with a lighter bullet more suited to the task of predator and varmint erradication.

 

[UpSideDown]

Using coyotes as the baseline as they're the largest below-medium-game animal I'm going after.

Over-penetration I think is almost guaranteed with any round in this chambering. I'm planning on shooting with the assumption that the round is going through the animal whether it's FMJ or otherwise. That will be in my mind but not a real issue in the places I'm going.

The rifle will be zeroed for whichever ammo is going in it at the time. I'm not too worried about using the exact same ammo for deer when I'm out for smaller animals. Not a bad idea, and I'm open to it, but I don't want to waste the pelts. I'm theorizing that a 6.5mm FMJ round at 2400fps in something the size of a coyote or smaller is going to drop it like a rock?

 

[Blutroop]

If ya don’t want to damage the pelt, use your 223 or build a 17 rem, 17/223, 204 ruger, 20practical ect. Don’t think you’d be able to save a hole pelt after using a 6.5. If ya just wanna get trigger time on moving target then don’t plan on saving pelts

 

[XLR308]

Using coyotes as the baseline as they're the largest below-medium-game animal I'm going after.

Over-penetration I think is almost guaranteed with any round in this chambering. I'm planning on shooting with the assumption that the round is going through the animal whether it's FMJ or otherwise. That will be in my mind but not a real issue in the places I'm going.

The rifle will be zeroed for whichever ammo is going in it at the time. I'm not too worried about using the exact same ammo for deer when I'm out for smaller animals. Not a bad idea, and I'm open to it, but I don't want to waste the pelts. I'm theorizing that a 6.5mm FMJ round at 2400fps in something the size of a coyote or smaller is going to drop it like a rock?

Sounds like you have it all figured out then.

 

[UpSideDown]

If ya don’t want to damage the pelt, use your 223 or build a 17 rem, 17/223, 204 ruger, 20practical ect. Don’t think you’d be able to save a hole pelt after using a 6.5. If ya just wanna get trigger time on moving target then don’t plan on saving pelts

Good points