When hunting coyotes, it’s important to use a cartridge/bullet combination that offers both accuracy and lethal knockdown power — but also inflicts minimal fur damage. The best option, in my opinion, is to use a bullet designed specifically for predator hunting, such as the many polymer-tipped bullets found on the market today. These bullets have been a favorite among predator hunters for years for their inherent accuracy and their fur-friendly nature.

Here are four coyote-centric cartridge/bullet combos that have helped put fur in the back of my truck.

Federal Varmint & Predator ammo is loaded with the venerable Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet for inherent accuracy and top notch ballistic performance on thin-skinned critters such as coyotes and other predators. Long distances, stiff breezes and tough predators are no match for this time-honored bullet. Its thin concentric jacket produces violent energy release and minimal penetration, while its boat-tail design and color-coded polymer tip produce less bullet drop and wind drift for increased downrange accuracy — a great choice for all varmint and predator hunting applications. Available in a wide variety of predator/varmint chamberings. Contact: www.federalpremium.com

Hornady’s Varmint Express ammunition is designed around the hard-hitting performance of its polymer-tipped V-Max bullet — delivering match accuracy, high ballistic coefficients, wind-defying trajectories and rapid fragmentation upon contact. Each Varmint Express offering is loaded with powder that ensures optimal pressure, velocity, accuracy and lot-to-lot consistency. Brass is chosen to ensure it meets Hornady’s high standards for reliable feeding, corrosion resistance, proper hardness and the ability to withstand maximum chamber pressures. And like the powder, each primer is carefully matched to individual loads, and all are chosen for their ability to quickly, completely and reliably ignite the powder charge. Contact: www.hornady.com

Sierra Ammunition has added the new Prairie Enemy Varmint and Predator family of hunting cartridges to its all-star ammunition lineup — delivering pinpoint precision with devastating terminal performance in four popular calibers: .204 Ruger, .223 Rem., .224 Valkyrie and .243 Win. Sierra tipped each Prairie Enemy cartridge with a BlitzKing bullet, designed for explosive expansion in predators, varmints and small game, while delivering MatchKing accuracy. Whether hunting prairie dogs, rabbits, foxes, coyotes, bobcats or wild pigs, Prairie Enemy’s inherent accuracy and downrange performance will stop them in their tracks. Contact: www.sierrabullets.com

Winchester Varmint X ammunition is specifically designed to meet the demands of hardcore predator and varmint hunters — tipped with sleek, polymer-tipped bullets that are explosive on impact. Varmint X combines the proven lethality Winchester is known for with today’s latest technology, providing hunters with ammunition that’s tailor-made for pursuing everything from prairie dogs to coyotes. The polymer tip maximizes long-range performance and promotes rapid expansion and the bullet’s thin, alloy jacket with engineered sidewall profile allows for explosive fragmentation and minimal fur damage. Contact: www.winchester.com