Author Topic: .223 load for coyotes (Read 1415 times)

LarryL · « **on:** January 26, 2005, 02:22:22 PM »

I have a new Bushmaster V-Match .223 with a 4-16X Mueller Mil-Dot scope on it. So far, I've only done a little informal target shooting. Between teens to below zero temps and 2 feet of snow, I really haven't had any chance yet to take it out in the woods. The gun and scope should be easily quite accurate out to 300 yards

We have some pretty big coyotes up here in New England. While I reload some of my handgun loads, I am not set up to reload rifle ammo yet. I expect many of you have experience using the .223 on coyotes. Can anyone recommend a good factory load for this gun, to use on coyotes? While I will be able to make shots to 300 yards, will the ammo have sufficient punch for coyotes out to that distance?

Thanks in advance for your comments and opinions!

TennSquire · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2005, 05:39:01 AM »

LarryL,

I'm shooting the Hornady "Varmint Express" ammo, 55 gr, V-Max. It's really accurate in my Remington 700 BDL varmint special, and does a good job for me out to 250-275 yards. Sighted in at 200 yards, the round is 1.4 in. high at 100 yds., and 7.1 in. low at 300 yds. It's about $12 per 20 round box.

At around the same cost, $24 for a 50 round box, Black Hills makes a pretty accurate 50 gr. V-Max Moly round that shoots well in my 1:12 twist barrel.

You didn't say what twist rate your AR barrel is. The faster the twist, like a 1:9, would stabilize a heavier bullet. The slower twist rates, like my bolt action rifle, does better with the lighter bullets.

TennSquire

LarryL · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2005, 01:58:24 PM »

The Bushmaster V-Match has a 20" barrel, 1 in 9 twist.

John R. · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2005, 05:37:00 AM »

If your gun has a 1 in 9 twist you should be able to use bullets up to 63 grs. If you don't reload the 55 gr. v-max load the other gentleman was talking about is a good one. Federal also has some 55 gr. Balistic Tips in their Premium line that should also work well.

LarryL · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2005, 05:41:54 AM »

Thank you both for the information. I'll pick up some of the Hornady and Federal stuff, and maybe the Black Hills too, and see which one the gun likes the most.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2005, 04:37:41 PM »

LarryL --

I shoot a .22-250 with 40g Nosler BT's and they are devastating on coyotes. Lately I've been shooting 52g BTHP's from Hornady and Speer because I got a bunch cheap, but once they are gone I'll probably switch to the 50g Hornady V-MAX.

IowaBuckHunter · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2005, 10:55:00 AM »

223's will get er done on coyotes. I like them because they are cheap to shoot. It is fully capable of taking a dog at 300 yds, but that would probably be the limit for me. They loose a lot of velocity at that distance and just don't quite have the punch after that. If you plan on taking many long range shots, use a lighter bullet. Other wise I would use a heavier bullet like a 55 or 60 grainer.