So I'm working my way into predator hunting and I would like to eventually save the furs.  One concern I have is cartridge and bullet selection.  I would like to use one of my .223 AR's, but I worry that .223 has too much oomph and will cause unnecessary damage to the pelt.  One option would be to load up some varmint style bullets, but are they capable of penetrating into the vitals if they strike bone or will they explode with the fragments not penetrating deep enough to ensure a quick kill?  I worry if I use a Partition or other soft point/hunting bullet it will blow out the opposite side, leaving a large exit hole behind.

Another option I'm considering is picking up a rifle chambered in .22 Hornet or perhaps .22 Magnum.  I figure I could use a hunting bullet in those cartridges and get enough penetration to take out the vitals without blowing a big hole out of the other side.

What say the hive?  For those of you that keep pelts, what cartridges and bullets do you prefer to use?

For clarification, I'm not talking about killing trapped animals but rather hunting them.