I have a 15" Encore 6mm BR, 1-12" twist. It shoots .5" groups at 100 yds. with Nosler Ballistic Tips (55 gr. @ 3200 fps and 80 gr. @ 2650 fps) and a little better using 60 gr. Berger MEF @ 3000 fps. I think 80 gr. is at the top end for that rate of twist.

Because of our strange laws in NY, I cannot hunt coyotes with a rifle during the deer season in two local counties because they don't allow deer hunting using rifles (shotgun, handgun, bow only). Shotguns leave a big hole, and while I've shot one with my bow, I'd like a little more range to my hunts. I hope to hunt coyotes using my handgun, but I want minimal pelt damage. I know there are two schools of thought - a bullet that explodes before exiting, leaving only an entrance hole, and a bullet that holds together for a pass through, leaving two holes. I'll feel confident to at least 200 yards.

Any suggestions welcome. (It's back to the .223 40 gr. V-Max @ 3300 as soon as the deer season is over).

Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately, pelt friendly bullets in 6mm (at the velocity level you are working) are few and far between -- and even these aren't always a sure thing. What has worked best for me, though, is the now-discontinued Sierra 80 grain Single Shot Pistol bullet at around 2700 fps. I always get exits, but they are quite small (seldom more than dime-to-nickel-sized). Many distributors still have a supply of these bullets, and you can still get them directly from Sierra.

The terminal performance of the Sierra 80 grain BT varminter is almost identical (except at close range). But my 2nd choice would be the Speer 80 grainer, also at 2700 fps or so. The 55 grain Nosler sometimes work well and does not exit, but I've also experienced some rather gaping exits with them -- and that's extremely frustrating.

Exactly!

I'm not a coyote hunter so take this $0.02 with a grain of salt. If legal, how about a 75 gr solid by Barnes or a 90 gr FMJBT by Sierra? I thought Speer made an 80 gr FMJ but I don't see it in their online catalog. Both might be too long for your 1:12 though.

Small-caliber FMJs are poor, poor killers. And, depending on actual placement, even a FMJ can cause a gaping exit or a long rip in the pelt thanks to secondary bone fragments. For predators, the 6mm, full metal jacketed projectiles just don't do the job.

The two Sierra 80 gr. bullets listed by Sierra are as below:

SBT Blitz - 80 gr. sectional density -.194 ballistic coefficient - .319 @ 2800 fps and above, .310 between 2800 and 2200 fps
SPT Single Shot Pistol - 80 gr. sectional density -.194 ballistic coefficient - .288 @ 2400 fps and above

I was wondering about the Nosler 55 gr. CT Ballistic Silvertips under the "small entrance and exit hole" idea.

I will try the Sierras. Now all I need to do is find the time before archery deer season gets me chasing bucks until the season ends in December!

Thanks for the responses - I always know I can get some helpful advice here.

The 55 grain BST bullet works much better at the upper end of the velocity spectrum -- figures you can't reach with your setup. At the more sedate velocities, you'll still get good inital expansion, but the heavy base will often drive the bullet all the way through and occasionally give you a very nasty exit. Its performance simply isn't quite as predictable as the Sierra 80 grain SSP.

Thanks again, Bobby.

I'll order some of the Sierras, give 'em the range test and hopefully be done with my archery deer season early enough to hunt coyotes before the snow flies.

In my experience in shooting Prairie Dogs with a variety of 6mm Handguns I have found the 58gr. Hornady V-MAX to be slightly more explosive than the 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip provided equal velocities. I agree with Bobby in that I think the best bullet would probably be an 80gr. to get a pass through but hopefully limit expansion to lessen the size of the exit cavity.

Larry

I've got a deer season to get through first, but once mid-December is over I hope to give the yotes some 80-gr. pills. Thanks.

Well, I'm halfway there. The deer season is almost over and I got to the range long enough to test out a few different loads.

I shot three rounds each of different charges of Varget, RL-7 and H322 using CCI 450 primers in Lapua 6mm BR brass with Sierra 80 gr. spitzer single-shot pistol bullets. Bullets launched from my Encore w/blued 15" 6mm BR Virgin Valley barrel topped with a Burris 3-12 handgun scope.

Small changes made a big difference. While I'm ready to take either to the field if I have to, I plan on further testing around these two loads to see if I can tighten them up a bit. I may also need to consider which powder is better in the cold.

I'll have time to go out after the yotes soon, and the pelts should be in prime condition. Look out coyotes!

Varget load:



H322 load:



My peashooter:

Looks like you are definitely on the right track. The local coyotes had better take note...

Yep that would be tough to pick between those loads without further testing. I agree with Bobby in that I think the Coyotes in your area are in trouble.

If the two powders continue shooting groups like that I would probably opt for the one that produces the least amount of Muzzle Blast and Recoil considering the velocities are nearly identical as are the groups.

Good luck with the Coyotes.

Larry

I have friends who use 22-250 rifles to hunt yotes with bullets traveling around 4000 fps turns a yote head into a canoe .

Erict, Fine looking gun!! What kind of forend do you have on the Encore? You already have 2 very promising loads to pursue, but I'm going to suggest you try some Vitavourhi (?sp?) 130, as well. When I first got my XP-100 in 22 BR, I used H322 and RL 12 (now discontinued) in it and was very satisfied. However, I tried VV 130 and found that not only did the groups shrink some and velocity increase, but it was also a noticably more pleasant powder to shoot (very nice trait on pd hunts!). I only wish it was available in 1# cans.... Gary T.

Gary,

Here's some info on the forend:
Encore forend modification

With a 15" bull barrel, this gun is an absolute pleasure to shoot. Not as "harsh" as my 6.5-284!

Once I'm through with my current pound of H322 I might try your suggestion - thanks.

Erict, Neat!! So, your project started w/ an Encore RIFLE muzzleloader forend? Gary T.