My good friend and predator hunting legend Gerry Blair once told me that, “… no one rifle, no one caliber, no ammunition — at least none I have used — can be considered to be the perfect answer for all facets of predator screaming. A rifle/ammo combination that does a dandy job on long-distance coyotes weighing 30 pounds, does less well when the target becomes an 8-pound fox who begs for rabbit from 20 steps beyond the gun bore.” Gerry was right, of course, and that’s why there’s such a large selection of purpose-specific guns and ammo available designed for predator hunting — and why most serious fur hunters own a battery of guns chambered for a wide range of cartridges loaded with a variety of bullets to serve a multitude of purposes. While the absolute cartridge/bullet combination for hunting all sorts of furred critters in all types of terrain is nothing more than a figment of the fur hunter’s imagination and fodder for gun shop talk, the .22-250 Rem. would rank high on my list — most probably the top choice — should I have to rely on only one rifle/cartridge to do all of my predator work. For the fur hunter who wants it all from one cartridge this probably is as good as it gets. But, it has its limitations. Rifleman and outdoor writer Ron Spomer agrees that no one cartridge/bullet marriage is the end-all for all fur-hunting applications — including the .22-250 Rem. “The .22-250 Rem. has long been my favorite coyote round because of its incredible reach, but fur damage can be excessive at times, especially on red foxes and bobcats,” he said. “Close-range work calls for a .17 Rem., perhaps the .204 Ruger with a 32-grain bullet. Still, day-in and day-out, I’ll go with the .22-250 Rem. for its versatility.” I’ll bet you have your favorite, too. And there’s no right answer. Here are a few samples of ammunition that gets the job done when targeting furred predators — and in some cases wild hogs and bears.
Apex Predator TSS
Shotshells designed for predator hunting traditionally meant massive lead pellets and a low pattern count, which unfortunately delivered limited performance. Not anymore. Suitable for anchoring wild hogs and all sorts of predators, Predator TSS Shotgun Ammunition from Apex turns any shotgun into a big-game/predator hunting machine. Apex’s Predator TSS loads — available in Nos. 4, 2 and BB shot sizes in 20- and 12-gauge 2.75- 3- and 3.5-inch loads — capitalize on superior density to deliver extended range and penetration while maximizing pattern retention. MSRP: $55.99-$84.99/Box of five
Barnes Ammunition
.223 Rem. JHP BT
The 55-grain JHP Boattail Multi-purpose Ammo offering from Barnes Ammunition produces a muzzle velocity of 3,240 fps and has a BC of .225, designed to deliver impressive downrange accuracy and terminal performance — which makes it a great choice for hunters who are pursuing varmints and predators. Constructed with premium components under stringent quality control, its jacketed, lead core bullet has Barnes precision in its DNA, engineered to help hunters realize their highest potential as a marksman. This ammunition is non-corrosive, in boxer-primed, reloadable brass cases carefully engineered for maximum versatility. Other JHP BT offerings from Barnes include .243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win., .308 Win. and .300 Blackout.
MSRP: $26.99/Box of 20
Black Hills Ammunition
.300 Blackout Sierra GameKing
The Black Hills .300 Blackout 205-grain Sierra GameKing Load uses a projectile carefully designed by Sierra Bullets for superb accuracy and devastating terminal performance at subsonic velocities — a great choice for hunting a variety of predators and big game. Black Hills combined that projectile with careful propellant selection to produce this optimal subsonic load that remains subsonic. This specialized round is a great solution for quietly ridding fields of varmints or feral hogs. The 205-grain jacketed hollowpoint bullet has a muzzle velocity of 1,050 fps and generates 502 foot-pounds of energy.
Retail: $37.99/Box of 20
CCI Suppressor Max
.22 LR Subsonic Loads
Whisper-quiet yet powerful rimfire performance is now within reach. CCI Suppressor Max was specifically designed for optimal accuracy, terminal performance and noise reduction when fired through rimfire suppressors. The specialized hollowpoint bullet ensures effective segmentation on impact — even at its low-decibel, subsonic 970 fps muzzle velocity. Designed for maximum effectiveness on target out of a suppressed rifle or pistol, its 45-grain segmenting hollowpoint bullet is safe to shoot through all suppressors. And unlike conventional suppressor rounds, it cycles in all semi-automatics. CCI Ammunition is available at dealers nationwide and online. MSRP: $18.99/Box of 100
Crosman Hollow
Point Airgun Pellet
The Crosman Hollow Point Pellet brings superior impact performance to airgun shooting sessions. Its precision-engineered hollow tip is designed to expand on contact, creating a wide impact channel and transferring more energy into the target. Whether it’s tackling small game or controlling pests, this round excels in both accuracy and stopping power. Crafted from high-quality lead and packaged in a durable, resealable tin, it’s built for convenience and readiness in the field. Available in both .177 and .22 calibers, it suits a wide range of air rifles and pistols. Airgun enthusiasts can rely on the consistent expansion and dependable performance of the Crosman Hollow Point Pellet.
MSRP/500 count: $12.90/.177-caliber; $16.90/.22-caliber
Doubletap DT
Varmint Ammunition
Moving at an astonishing 3,300 fps out of a 22-inch barrel, the lightning fast .223 Rem. 55-grain DT Varmint round from Doubletap Ammunition is a great choice when targeting coyotes and other predators. This load was designed to open up quickly when impacting thin-skinned predators such as coyotes, bobcats and foxes. With this type of penetration hunters won’t have to worry about an exit wound damaging the pelt. And with that amount of speed and power, they won’t have to worry about critters getting back up either.
MSRP: $30.50/Box of 20
Federal Fusion
Tipped .300 Blackout
The Federal Fusion’s pressure-formed lead core is molecularly bonded to a consistent copper jacket, resulting in high weight retention, deep penetration and devastating expansion. And now Federal has written a new chapter to the Fusion story with its 190-grain Fusion polymer-tipped .300 Blackout offering. The design offers the same great terminal performance as the original, but with increased ballistic coefficient, flattened trajectories and boosted energy. With a muzzle velocity of 1,050 fps and a ballistic coefficient of .494, this polymer-tipped design reduces wind drift and drop, as well as more energy downrange. The bullet’s copper jacket is electro-chemically bonded to the core, resulting in a perfectly uniform jacket for deep penetration and lethal expansion at subsonic velocities. MSRP: $43.99/Box of 20
Fort Scott Munitions
8.6 Blackout TUI
Fort Scott Munitions 285-grain 8.6 Blackout TUI Sun-Sonic Ammo features a non-lead solid copper spun SCS bullet engineered to tumble upon impact to provide devastating terminal performance. Machined from premium materials using precision CNC lathes, it adheres to the highest quality standards and is precision machined and loaded with the utmost care within tight tolerances for dependable accuracy, ensuring excellent penetration and devastating internal damage. Designed for versatility, the 8.6 Blackout excels in hunting. The TUI technology enables the bullet to tumble end-over-end upon impact with water-based tissue, creating a more effective and destructive wound channel, and the solid copper projectile provides hunters with the freedom to pursue wild game where lead ammo is prohibited. MSRP: $65.98/Box of 20
Hornady V-Match
Varmint Ammunition
Whether it’s taking aim in competition or outwitting varmints, V-Match Ammunition from Hornady combines exceptional aerodynamics with high-quality components for match-grade accuracy and violent expansion. Every round is meticulously loaded to exacting specifications, and modern clean-burning propellants are carefully chosen for their consistency no matter the temperature, so users can shoot with confidence, knowing that every trigger pull will be met with the same exceptional performance, whether they’re competition shooting in the heat of summer or varmint hunting in the chill of winter. Hornaday V-Match ammunition is available in the following calibers: 22 ARC (62-grain), 6mm ARC (80-grain), 6mm Creedmoor (80-grain), 6.5 Grendel (100-grain) and 6.5 Creedmoor (100-grain). MSRP: $39.41-$53.65/Box of 20
HSM Varmint Blue
.223 Ammunition
For dedicated predator/varmint hunters seeking accuracy, explosive impact and flat trajectory, HSM’s .223 Rem. Varmint Blue Ammunition stands out with its signature blue tip and lightning-fast expansion. No matter the caliber, every HSM Varmint load is crafted for accuracy, consistency and devastating terminal performance. The HSM .223 Rem. Varmint Blue is loaded with a 55-grain V-Max bullet that produces 3,120 fps velocity and generates 1,189 foot-pounds of energy and features a polymer tip that ensures explosive expansion on impact, delivering maximum energy transfer and high destructive power on small targets — perfect for small game and varmint control at long range.
MSRP: $32.99/Box of 20
Liberty Ammunition
Bear Country Ammo
Continuing the tradition of ammunition with phenomenal stopping power, Liberty Ammunition Bear Country — available in 9mm and 10mm — features a hard-hitting 100 percent copper projectile. The Bear Country 72-grain 9mm version leaves the barrel at 1,800 fps and hits with a whopping 518 foot-pounds of stopping power while the 70-grain 10mm version (2,100 fps) hits with 685 foot-pounds of force. In addition, the custom copper projectile also smashes through bone, unlike lead projectiles that mushroom when they strike hard objects. MSRP/Box of 20: $34.99/9mm; $39.99/10mm
Remington Core-Lokt
Tipped Lever Gun Ammo
Remington’s Core-Lokt Ammunition now has an offering designed specifically for lever guns and available in six popular chamberings — optimized to ensure flawless function and extraction in lever-action rifles. Core-Lokt Tipped Lever Gun ammo offers proven Core-Lokt terminal performance on game, plus much more. With the same accuracy, improved ballistic coefficients and truer flight vs. traditional Core-Lokt, the Deadliest Mushroom in the Woods is super-tuned for a new generation of lever gun enthusiasts. It features the Big Green polymer tip that improves long-range ballistics and in-flight accuracy, and initiates rapid expansion — tuned for optimal performance on game. It is loaded with carefully chosen propellants built for a clean burn and utmost accuracy.
MSRP: $40.99-$78.99
