Hi I was wondering if I should get some 100 gr. barnes solids for my 284 win for coyotes. Is this a good idea. I assume these zinc/copper solids are harder... so are they harder on barrels especially at 3300 fps. I guess I know they would do what I want to the dog, but are they ok for my gun?

They won't hurt it any more than shooting any other bullet really. The burning of huge powder charges does more damage. Not sure why you'd want to use solids. I tried them in the .223 & .22-250 thinking a non-expanding bullet would be easier on the fur. This was not the case! A few passed through, didn't tear them up but also didn't knock out the lights as quickly. Some tore huge holes.

What exactly do you want to accomplish? Nate

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Originally posted by naja302:
Hi I was wondering if I should get some 100 gr. barnes solids for my 284 win for coyotes. Is this a good idea. I assume these zinc/copper solids are harder... so are they harder on barrels especially at 3300 fps. I guess I know they would do what I want to the dog, but are they ok for my gun?

Believe me you won't be happy with the results. Besides some states hunting, even varmint hunting, it is illegal to use solids for the taking of any animal. Lawdog

Yes I was trying to save hides, and I dont have a real varmint gun (light enough to not leave an exit wound).

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Yes I was trying to save hides

Buy a .17 Remington, use 25 gr. Berger match bullets and keep your shots inside 250 yards.

With FMJ's/solids in any caliber I think you'll find rather large exit wounds that furbuyers really don't care for and devalue your pelts as a result.

If you reload you could slow about any bullet down to the point where damage is minimized. We sold a Bobcat that was shot during elk season with a .270 loaded with 150gr. Partitions that really didn't have a huge hole. It was many years ago so I can't picture it in my mind exactly but remember how surprized I was at the small hole.

If a different rifle is affordable you could buy used and look for about any .22 caliber on down. There are many .223 available, and they seem to be cheaper than others. A .224 cal with Hornady SPSX bullets usually make a small entry only.

I've shot coyotes with many different rifles up to and including my .338WM, they all work, some are rough on the fur but with prices as low as they are it's not hardly worth the effort of putting them up.

Back to using the .284, try some heavier bullets at lower velocities. Or pick the best shooting, fastest load you have and go make a mess. Nate

Thanks for the input. I think I will just use some 110g TNT hollow points and watch them explode.