North Texan

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.

Steven Ashe

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.

North Texan

.223

Steven Ashe

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

mainehunt

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

North Texan

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.

Steven Ashe

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.

NVMIKE

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

James B

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.