Hunting & Fishing minimal pelt damage for .308...which bullet

[jayd4wg]

i just locked down a good weeks worth of land in north central PA and alot of what I will be hunting in the daytime will be LARGE fields with 300 yard shots being possible. as good as I've gotten my 308 to group 150's, i kinda want to stay with that bullet size for this hunt...if you were going to use a 150 out of the 308...what bullet would you use in hopes of not blowing a 4" or larger hole in the off side of the pelt? these pelts won't be sold...just kept for personal use (want to make a couple garments for a close friend) and tanned by me. i can get around SOME large holes but would prefer to keep the fur and not have to stitch the holes back together.

will a FMJ do the damage my current SP's will do? or should I stick to work on calling them closer and keep using the 22mag?

night hunting will be with the 22mag and shotgun anyway.

 

[Trapshooter12]

Re: minimal pelt damage for .308...which bullet

This like asking. If the Hooker your about to marry is still a Virgin. Ain't gonna happen. Any bullet can and will blow big holes in an Animal. I have shot FMJ's out of a .223 and blew house size holes in Coyotes.

I would suggest a smaller Caliber and if you can't do that let the chips fall where they may. Your chasing a dream.

 

[psinclair]

Re: minimal pelt damage for .308...which bullet

If you use a .308 and want the least amount of damage, go with 168SMK's. I've taken 98 coyotes with that bullet. On broadside rib shots it will pass through and not leave much of an exit. They will run if you miss the shoulder but if you have snow you'll be able to recover them..or a dog.

I switched over to the 155gr scenar and have taken 700+ coyotes with that bullet. It opens up a little faster, thus causing more damage. Thats what I was after.

 

[jayd4wg]

Re: minimal pelt damage for .308...which bullet

trap...kind of what I was thinking...just thought i'd ask anyway.

PGS...i have tried 168 smk's and having a hard time finding a load that shoots as well as the 150's for some reason. seems my barrel either simply does not like them or i'm not patient enough. I've only workeed with 2 powders, varget and RL15 at this point. i'll work on those this summer more but was hoping there might be some input as to how the lighter fodder worked.

In particular, I was thinking about 30 carbine FMJ's in 110gr
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=1165419538

 

[jayd4wg]

Re: minimal pelt damage for .308...which bullet

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Viper 762</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm originally from Reading, Pa. Last time I checked, PA considers all FMJ ammo illegal to hunt with. So I would definately check with the game commission.</div></div>

This has been changed and current regs only specify "bullets designed to expand upon impact" only appears in the section under big game. varmint and small game don't apply. Furbearers specificcally are noted on page 76 of the current game and fish regs with no stipulation of bullet construction other than to note that no shot (from a shotgun) larger that size 4 is legal. All these guys using blended coyote shot using #4 buckshot are breaking regs...but the 308 shooting FMJ is legal...it comes with some responsibility on the hunter to ensure safe shooting practices.

 

[bohem]

Re: minimal pelt damage for .308...which bullet

I've shot those 110 bullets from the M1 carbine from my 30-06, getting them to blow up from the speed was not close to difficult, before any pressure signs they were coming apart at 3200fps.

The 110Vmax would be a better choice for that, but another thing to consider is a cast lead or a solid copper bullet at slower speeds.

300yd shots are not all that far to drop the speeds down on the bullet and make sure it doesn't go through like a bomb, a 2300fps MV would keep the pelt damage down. Much like shooting a 30-30 at distance.

If you zero at 150yd you can shoot point of aim from about 100 to 200 without much correction, then dial or hold for the 300yd shot.

 

[Shortdraw]

Re: minimal pelt damage for .308...which bullet

Fmj's @ 2000fps or less. I shoot hares and foxes with this load and they don't expand much. Do a google search for "pelt loads", or even subsonics and confirm load data with the manufacturer before starting.