Author Topic: Best 223 bullet for coyote (Read 4028 times)

tacotime · « **on:** September 17, 2012, 04:37:40 AM »

I tend to think the 55gr Sptizer (pointed soft point) is a little better than a hollow point, but that's all I have used.

What do you guys think?

And with a 1:9 twist rifle, I could go heavier. Does anyone recommend heavier 223 bullets for coyote? Range not likely to exceed 300 yards.

Thanks.

Hellgate · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2012, 05:38:14 AM »

I think heavier is better as opposed to light and fast. You are not shooting at ground squirrels or prairie dogs. It is my opinion (not an expert) but I want a bullet to be able to get through a shoulder hit and into the chest so 55 or 60gr bullets are my choice. I see these TV varmint hunters decking coyotes with 50gr V-Maxes but they are using a 22-250 and not showing any cripples getting away on film. I think your 55 grainers oughta be fine. I am trying to get a load worked up for coyotes in either 55 or 60gr V-Max for my 223. I have a great, accurate 40 grainer but I think that is just too light and I use it for ground squirrels anyway. I have rear ended coyotes running away with a 130gr HP 30-06 and there wasn't a lot to admire when the bullet was done. A light weight small caliber would not have made a clean kill. I don't think there is a real big difference in trajectery between a 55 & 60 gr 223 bullet. Go here to check out your bullets and how they fly (you need their Ballistic Coefficient, weight and velocity):

http://www.hornady.com/ballistics-resource/ballistics-calculator

Also, measure the ACTUAL distance from the center of your bore to the center of your scope. NONE of my rifles are at the oft calculated 1.5" above the bore. Mine vary from 1.7 to 2.5" above the bore. It makes a difference as to where you want it to hit @ 100yds and still be on out to 200, 250, or 300. The calculator will tell you that. I sort of guess at thevelocity and take it from reloading tables and subtract if I'm using it in a shorter barreled gun.

Buckskin · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2012, 10:13:13 AM »

I have found that the 60 gr VMax flies better in my R-15 (1-9 twist also) than the 55's. I've also shot the heavier 64 and 70gr Bergers with excellent accuracy in the 70's and not so great with the 64's in that gun. I shoot a lot of coyotes at 250-350 yards and my 204 Encore barrel with 32gr VMax's seems to knock the heck out of them. Been using the R-15 more these days just for the quicker follow-ups on doubles.

Catfish · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2012, 01:23:27 PM »

I like the 55 gr. Varmint Nite Mares. They are really to soft for the job, but I shoot them through an AR and they do knock them down so I keep shoot as long as he is kicking. I have to worry about rickochet though. If you don`t give the 60 gr Sierra HP`s a try. I have gotten some very good gruops with them and when I shot them at groundhogs I never lost one I hit. They will penitrate and do damage.

Ranch13 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2012, 04:49:45 PM »

If you're shooting for the pelt, then the hollowpoints are the way to go. I like the 45 gr hollowpoints. The other question is whether or not your rifle will stabilize those lighter bullets. If you're shooting just to be killin then a heavier bullet that might blow a big hole in the far side doesn't hurt anything.

Ladobe · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2012, 04:50:26 PM »

{quote]I think heavier is better as opposed to light and fast.

If that were true, the 17Rem wouldn't out perform the 223Rem on coyotes, and it does via hydrostatic shock. Don't need to argue it with anybody, suffice to say that when I finally started using 17's/17 wilcats for predator hunting 20 odd years ago they mostly retired my .224's for good reasons.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2012, 06:18:35 PM »

i would say it depends on what part of the
world you're at and what you want to do
with the coyote.
here, the fur is next to worthless, most folks
just pop 'em to keep their calves and fawns
alive long enough to get past helpless.
i don't have a shot opportunity over 200 yds.
i use 40 gr vmax. the neighboring rancher
uses a .17 hrm.
the guy on the other side uses a .22 hornet

tacotime · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2012, 04:24:06 AM »

Interesting about the .17 cal. Are you talking original .17 Rem or .17 Rem Fireball?

To answer the last post, the purpose here is varmint control where the opportunity arises.

Ranch13 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 19, 2012, 04:41:57 AM »

If the purpose is to just be shooting, then use the bullet that shoots the best in your rifle. If the mission changes and you want some pelts, going with the lightest hollowpoints that will shoot in your rifle, will make for less stictching.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #9 on:** September 19, 2012, 04:53:59 AM »

This is actually as near a 180 as you will see from me...

I like to use the same accurate target load I use for paper... I don't have the same respect for coyotes I do with deer and if one crawls into a hole to die... Well I don't have to skin and bury that one.

It's a 53g Sierra match bullet and H322 powder in a nickel federal case sparked with a Remmy SR match primer. Shoots fast, flat and accurate.

Another admission and just as much a 180 for me, head shots on varmints are preferred! You know instantly when you miss. Usually we have two guns on a dog, so the dog is dead with my buddies shot or mine if he shoots first (and misses) .

You could easily change to a 50g SX bullet with same powder if the match bullet bothers you.

Good luck,
CW

Bugflipper · « **Reply #10 on:** September 19, 2012, 06:02:37 AM »

For me it's just a remington bulk pack 55 gr sp. They just happened to be the cheapest when I did a big order years ago. Before that it was the sierra 55 gr sp. Now it would probably be the midway 55 gr sp. I just have had enough bullets to last through all of the hype of the super bullets. A plain ole' sp has the strength to go through a rib without creating a crater on the near side of the critter. It is thin skinned enough to grenade inside. So for me there is no need to chase the perfect bullet for coyote, been using it for 20 plus years. Nothing wrong with other folks perfect bullet being something else.

Swift One · « **Reply #11 on:** September 19, 2012, 07:07:53 AM »

I use the Sierra 60gr HP bullets. I have had outstanding success with these bullets. They hit hard and penetrate well. The farthest kill I have done with these bullets is a Large coyote at 356yds (lasered). The shot was perfect (lung, heart, lung). It spun once and dropped. I have shot several at the 150/200yd mark with the same results. My most recent one was a night hunt where the dog was running right at me. I hit him at 65yds and he did a face plant into the field. Twitched a couple of times and expired.

Another bullets that has performed almost as well for me is the Sierra 55gr Blitz (NOT BLITZKING). I have not shot anything past 180yds with this bullet and most ahve been at night under 100yds. But, that being said, they have done a pretty good job. The 60gr HP has been the King for me though in all the bullets I have tried so far. Im pushing this pill at around 3150FPS

Ladobe · « **Reply #12 on:** September 19, 2012, 09:20:56 AM »

Quote from: tacotime on September 19, 2012, 04:24:06 AM

Interesting about the .17 cal. Are you talking original .17 Rem or .17 Rem Fireball?

I referred to the 223Rem verses the 17Rem because of the erronious comment about weight and speed, not to downgrade the 223Rem that is so popular with coyote hunters. HS also applies within same caliber and parent case, including the 223Rem, just not as distinctly nor as decisively as the example I gave.

Your question... the 17M4/17FB is a fine coyote cartridge, you only loose a little effective range with them compared to the 17Rem and other larger case capacity 17 caliber wildcats. Any same parent brass 17 caliber counterpart of a 22 caliber delivers more HS, shoots flatter for a more precise hit, and is easiler on the pelts. That is a given, not arguable at normal coyote ranges. Nor is wind drift... smaller profile, faster and so less time in flight also makes a difference on wind drift. How effective depending on range being shot, same as retained bullet energy when shooting "way out there" whether in wind or not. Even the lowly 22 Hornet that is effective on coyotes within range gets outshined by the 17 Ackley Hornet at the same range and well beyond it (same with the 17HMR VS 22MAG from my experiences). HS and better placement made up for more weight and diameter with the small bores on coyotes for me anyway.

When in doubt, drag a cannon along and leave only a wet spot where the coyote was. A 50BMG ought to get it done with the right bullet.

cjclemens · « **Reply #13 on:** September 28, 2012, 03:13:20 PM »

I use a 45 grain Sierra Varminter in my Handi-Rifle, and a 68 grain hollow point in my AR. Coyotes aren't bulletproof. Just use the bullet that's most accurate in your rifle. Its that simple.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #14 on:** September 29, 2012, 03:43:25 AM »

Quote from: Swift One on September 19, 2012, 07:07:53 AM

I use the Sierra 60gr HP bullets. I have had outstanding success with these bullets. They hit hard and penetrate well. The farthest kill I have done with these bullets is a Large coyote at 356yds (lasered). The shot was perfect (lung, heart, lung). It spun once and dropped. I have shot several at the 150/200yd mark with the same results. My most recent one was a night hunt where the dog was running right at me. I hit him at 65yds and he did a face plant into the field. Twitched a couple of times and expired.

I used these quite a bit in my 22/250 and I agree with you they are a very good bullet!!!

CW

trickrick · « **Reply #15 on:** November 24, 2012, 01:30:03 PM »

Not sure how they do on coyotes yet..... But they sure work good on deer!
I loaded some up to try out on deer and a neck shot dropped a nice 8 point in his tracks

Hellgate · « **Reply #16 on:** November 24, 2012, 02:07:12 PM »

Two weekends ago I put down a coyote at 50 yards in tall grass with my mini-14 using 60gr Hornady soft points. I am convinced that had I been using a 40 grainer he would have gotten away. I'm sure the bullet went through some of the dead grass to hit him. First shot broadside through the pelvis (bullet exited), second through shoulders (exited). Pelvic girdle was shattered, shoulders/chest gone. A light fast bullet would have allowed him to run off on 3 legs. The 60 grainer did its job well, more punch less pop.

Swift One · « **Reply #17 on:** November 26, 2012, 09:24:52 AM »

I agree that coyotes are not bullet proof- but they are no Ground Squirrel or Ground hog for that matter either. I once saw a coyote get right back up from the dead position and run off after he was hit with a 270 ad a 140gr bullet. It wasnt the best shot placement, but that was alot of FPE going into an animal that size. They are quite a "motivated-to-live" animal.

I think the 55gr Soft point bullets will be fine. We have been running 55gr SBT Sierra bullets through a friend's 22-250 with OUTSTANDING RESULTS IN THE DRT AND FUR SAVING CATEGORIES.

Chupathingy · « **Reply #18 on:** November 26, 2012, 02:55:23 PM »

Swift one is right, I have been using the Hornady 55gr SP this season with very good results, both in the DRT department and pelt saving department. I've only had one exit so far this year with that bullet(15 or so since last January). My all time favorite .224 caliber projectile is the 52gr SMK though. I've killed a boat load of coyotes with that projectile, it flat stones them and is very fur friendly.

Chupa

Hellgate · « **Reply #19 on:** November 26, 2012, 04:54:42 PM »

I have a little different perspective. The rancher on whose land we hunt wants the coyotes DRT. We have no concern for hides and it is a "shoot on sight" situation so a heavier bullet is what I use. I sure can see the fur concernes and not wanting the bullet to exit but still drop the 'yote.

FPH · « **Reply #20 on:** November 26, 2012, 05:10:04 PM »

Our weather stays too warm to worry about pelts. I use the bullets my rifles like best 87 gr. and 168 gr.

sk330lc · « **Reply #21 on:** December 04, 2012, 02:06:29 PM »

60gr V-max works great for me .

backstrap · « **Reply #22 on:** December 06, 2012, 03:22:41 PM »

I shoot 40 grain v max bullets in my 223,and 45grain speer spitzer in my 22 250 for coyotes, i used to ues 36 grain varmint gernades in my 250 but i had a few yotes run 50 yards or so and die, never had one to run off where i couldnt find it though, so i went to a biger bullet not much bigger though,i shoot light bullets because where i call there might be a bobcat come in and i dont want to blow a big hole in it, it would be worth less money that was so i shoot something that will blow up inside of them or make a small pass through,just shoot the bullet you want to shoot they all will knock a dog down if you put it in the boiler room,what i think is it dont matter how big the bullets is if you put it in the right place it will do the job,there are people useing 17hmrs and 22 mags to kill coyotes so if a 17 grain 17hmr bullet will do the job than a 40 grain .224 will do the job better.thats just my thoughts though. good luck in you bullet choice

tomtomz · « **Reply #23 on:** December 07, 2012, 08:40:27 PM »

I like the Speer HPBT 52 gn match bullet. I've lost count of how many coyotes I've killed over the years on open ground with this bullet over H380 or varget.

Yotecallr · « **Reply #24 on:** December 12, 2012, 04:17:03 PM »

I did a long search on Predator Masters and found the Sierra 55 gr spbt (1365) is preferred above most others for anchoring a coyote from all angles. I shot some through my Criterion barreled 223 and 4 shots went into one hole @ 100 yards with Varget. This will be my go to load for calling coyotes.

squirrelslayer · « **Reply #25 on:** February 09, 2013, 10:43:12 PM »

I use a 55gr vmax over 26gr h335. With that load I've killed countless dogs and only had a few run off. Mostly second dogs that were on the run. I used to use the ole hornady 55 gr sxsp (super explosive soft point) which is tailored to lower velocity 22 cal shooters looking for rapid expansion. both were proven dog busters in grass, I'm not sure about the sxsp. But I've definately killed coyotes when all i saw was an ear or hip.

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #26 on:** February 10, 2013, 06:38:46 AM »

I load 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips with H-4895 for my 16" Bushmaster ORC .223 and also for several buddies that are also shooting AR's with excellent results. To my knowledge none of us have lost a Coyote with the 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips but a few Coyotes have required a second shot.

Larry