.223 factory coyote loads

[ub1167]

What factory loads to use for coyote ?  I dont hand load yet. Need a load that wont tear them up. Just that side of dead.

[Swift One]

There is an incredible selection out there that perform quite well on coyotes.  You need to ask yourself some questions though that will help you in your selection.
 
Am I saving fur?  (not really an issue with the 223)
How far is my comfort zone in shooting?
What twist is my barrel?
 
I generally hunt coyotes at night and shots are almost always under 150yds- usually much MUCH closer. I save fur. I have on occasion during day unts shot a dog at 300yds plus, I am comfortable with that.   My twist rate on my barrel is 1x9. I shoot midwest dogs which are a little bigger than the SW dogs.  So, based on my operations, I opt for a 60gr HP flat based bullet in my reloads for 223 remmy.  Hope this helps.
 
 
 

[ub1167]

Thank you. Looking for a load that will be easy on fur.  I live in wisconsin  the dogs are pretty large up here.

[omegahunter]

I would go for a 50 or 55 grain Hornady VMax if you were wanting to minimize fur damage.  A lot of times there is no exit at all on chest shots.

[cjclemens]

I would go for a 50 or 55 grain Hornady VMax if you were wanting to minimize fur damage.  A lot of times there is no exit at all on chest shots.

I use Hornady V-Max bullets in a lot of my varmint loads.  The loaded Hornady ammo is a bit more pricey, but the accuracy and terminal performance will be what you're looking for.  Also, you might look into the Remington Premier accutip.  I've never used any personally, but the bullets are of similar construction to the V-Max from Hornady.

[omegahunter]

I was looking up the prices in Natchez and Cabela's for the varmint ammo and come up with Hornady because it was CHEAPER.  Natchez has the Hornady's for $17.49 or the Superformance 53 grain VMax for $19.15, but lists the Remington Accutip for $23.99.  Cabela's Hornady's are $19.99 or $20.99 (on sale right now for $16.99!!!!) for the Superformance.  Cabela's also has Fiocchi .223 loaded with the 50 grain VMax for $22.99 per 50.  Everything I saw put the Hornady's cheaper than the other big ammo names for the "premium" varmint bullets.

[ub1167]

Ordered a savage axis yesterday. Any Know what the twist this barrel will have. I'll have all summer to test . Thank for the help.

[cjclemens]

Everything I saw put the Hornady's cheaper than the other big ammo names for the "premium" varmint bullets.

I'll be darned.  Guess I should look up prices before I start talkin...

Ordered a savage axis yesterday. Any Know what the twist this barrel will have.

1:9, I think.  Conventional wisdom says to use heavier bullets, but I've heard that some of these still like 50-55 gr bullets - so dont rule anything out before you try it.

[ironglow]

  Factory loads can be costly...if you do much hunting at all, it would be well worth your while to get into handloading.  That way, you can tailor your own loads.  Getting started may not be as expensive as you think..a few boxes of ammo would probably cover it.  http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690050
http://www.natchezss.com/brand.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=TL&prodID=TLTA223552&prodTitle=Tula Ammo  .223 Rem 55gr Hollow-Point 20/Box (Wolf also markets Tula under the Wolf label)
   
   If you haven't tried it, some guys here can tell you..reloading can be almost as much enjoyment as the hunting itself.
 
    If you don't reload, there are some reasonably priced loads that should work OK.. 
  http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/department.asp?dept=%41%4D%4D%55%4E%49%54%49%4F%4E&dept2=%43%45%4E%54%45%52%46%49%52%45%20%52%49%46%4C%45&dept3=%32%32%33%20%52%45%4D%49%4E%47%54%4F%4E&dept4=%45%43%4F%4E%4F%4D%59
 
  Those remanufactured rounds are likely brass cases, usable if/when you do go into reloading.

[Swift One]

My 223 is a Savage Axis.  An absolute tack driver that thing is too. The Axis has a 1x 9 barrel on it.  I did not get much accuracy out of the winchester white box ammo in 45gr.  It does however shoot the hell out of alot of factory ammo in the 55gr and up category.  And with my reloads using 60gr bullets, it will rival alot of more costly sticks.  You cant go wrong with a Savage.

[ironglow]

My 223 is a Savage Axis.  An absolute tack driver that thing is too. The Axis has a 1x 9 barrel on it.  I did not get much accuracy out of the winchester white box ammo in 45gr.  It does however shoot the hell out of alot of factory ammo in the 55gr and up category.  And with my reloads using 60gr bullets, it will rival alot of more costly sticks.  You cant go wrong with a Savage.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
 
  DITTO;  Both white box and Savage.

[ub1167]

Thank you . I'll be looking at the 50 grain and up then. Just trying to narrow down what ammo to test.

[ub1167]

Took my new axis to the range today. Nice gun for $342  !!!  Bushnell scope will be replaced with a REDFIELD some day. Shot 55gr hornaday softpoints  55gr hornaday vmax  and 55gr remington psp   the vmaxs grouped the tightest  going to try to find a few others to test.  ANYONE out there using the 55gr on coyotes ? What has the pelt damage looked like ?  THNX again for the pointers .

[Qaz]

I am not good at sipher'n, so I ask Jethro the question. He wanted to know who thought $19.99/ 20 rounds was cheaper than $23.00/ 50 rounds? He also told me that at 46 cents a round, he can't take time away from being a brain surgen/ fry cook to reload!