Best frangible bullet that will kill a 'coon from a .223?

[Jeff Olsen]

I would like a load just for raccoons that are after the chickens. When I shoot one, which is about twice a year, it's almost always out of a tree and so I use my .22 RF on the theory that at least that's not much of a bullet to be casting skyward willy-nilly! However, especially on a large raccoon, it can be a pretty grim experience for the raccoon. So I'm thinking it might be good to come up with a load for my short-barrel .223 with an explosive varmint bullet that would kill 'em more decisively but still be as safe a bullet as possibe to lose track of...

My AR15 has a 1-9 twist. I do live out in the woods in a sparsly populated area.

Any thoughts?

-jeff

 

[JD338]

Jeff,

I shoot many coons and possums with 22 RF Yellow Jackets.
I hit the shoulder in and rarely get an exit.

JD338

 

[old #7]

12ga shot gun.
No worries about casting bullets skyward willy nilly.

 

[Jeff Olsen]

Well, you guys will love this! I don't have an optic on my little AR yet, so I changed my plan a little after going out there last night with a flashlight. Couldn't really use the aperature sight well enough. So I pulled the screen out of the upstairs barn window, and I'm gonna set up with my.... drum roll... my .358! Loaded with 140-gn PISTOL hollowpoints running almost 3000 fps. Heh heh. Sit up there with a couple beers tonight and wait for the coop-robbin' SOB to trip the motion sensor light, and be shooting down into the ground.

That 140-gn hollowpoint is, to say the least, explosive at those speeds! I've never shot "meat" with one, but if you shoot a chunk of wood or something pieces rain down for several seconds. Heh heh.

-jeff

 

[JD338]

We are going to need a full report with detailed photos to suport the documentation. :lol:

JD338

 

[old #7]

cover your windshield.
Sun dried harry meat doesn't come off with a windshield wiper.

 

[buckfever]

That sounds like alot of fun :grin:

 

[cloverleaf]

Oh, I like the way you think- safety first - furry fragments next... :lol: I am truly tempted to ask for pics- but that would disrespectful.

 

[Jeff Olsen]

Well, dang the luck, the 'coon must have internet access and be a member of this forum! Or else how would he know? He stopped hitting the chickens just when I was ready to wax his furry butt.

But... "He'll be baaaack"! Presuambly.

-jeff

 

[FOTIS]

Easy!
Same load I use for my 223 reduced for back yard work.

35 gr Hornady V-max (22 hornet bullet)
or
40 gr BT with anywhere from 10-13 gr Blue dot.

13 gr produces about 3000 fps. If you want even slower get the Lyman 47 manual and look up the loads with cast and Unique for the 223 or e-mail me.

 

[matts318]

haha that 140gr should do the trick, I use a 110gr v-max from my 308 at 3100fps on rabbit, well lets just say its not pretty, but I like you dont like seeing an animal suffer and this does it real quick, I pretty much quit using my 22 LR. Good luck and let us know what happens, I think you will be real surprised with the results.