Coyotes and ARs

[phonesysphonesys]

I am thinking about using my AR in 223 for coyotes. How heavy of a bullet can I use in a Bushmaster that will be effective? The only bullets I have shot in it are .55 gr on targets.
Thanks in advance.

 

[George P]

If those are accurate, no reason why they won't work.

 

[burrhead]

55's will certainly work but don't use any weight FMJs. They just poke little holes and, although I'm at war with coyotes, I don't hate them or want to cause unnecessary pain. I use Sierra 65 SGKs and they put them down quick.

 

[George Dickel]

55 grain bullets are sufficient for a coyote. A 55 grain bullet will take down a human so a coyote that is much smaller won't be a problem.

 

[Varminterror]

I prefer 50 vmax’s for coyotes, but have used several weights from 45grn to 80.5grn to take coyotes with AR’s. I’d assume your Bushmaster is a 1:9”, so 50, 53, or 55 vmax’s would be the 3 I would mess with.

 

[derek45]

55gr softpoints work well on coyotes, also 60grVMAX, 69gr SMK, 77grSMK

they are not heavily armored, but they are very smart.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

last coyote I shot was with 55grn 223 from about 40 yrds.

Works well.

 

[DMW1116]

I'm running 75 grain bullets in mine. Ive not tried any 77 grain ones but they're fairly common.

 

[horsey300]

I am thinking about using my AR in 223 for coyotes. How heavy of a bullet can I use in a Bushmaster that will be effective? The only bullets I have shot in it are .55 gr on targets.
Thanks in advance.

Basically if it impacts and expands you're good to go. You should look for the best shooting load in your environment, in my 12 twist, the 40 gr vmax was the best compromise, in our 9 twists, 55 sp, 55 vmax, 50 vmax, and 53 vmax (favorite) work well, like the 53 best for the bc. Been wanting to play with something volatile like the varmint grenades or varmageddons, but so far the 50 spsx (no polytipped predecessor to the vmax) has been Uber consistent in both accuracy and no exit, even on a fox which is saying something! And yes, drt.

 

[entropy]

Any of the V-Max bullets will turn a coyote's lungs to jelly to at least 200 yards, probably farther. I don't shoot farther than that generally. Since you are already dialed in with 55 gr., I'd start there.

 

[gotboostvr]

I'd pick whatever 40-65gr expanding bullet shoots best in your rifle.

If you've got 55gr bullets that shoot well and you're already zeroed for them, roll with that.

 

[MacAR]

Another vote for the 55 grain bullets. I've loaded a few for my triple deuce, and they're murder on critters. I've only got the one 'yote so far (new to me rifle) but I'm impressed. As others have said, I'd start there.

Mac

 

[DocRock]

There’s a reason they’re called poodle shooters. Great rifle for intended use. Nothing more than 55 grs expanders required. Happy hunting.

 

[BigBL87]

As others have said, you could go heavier but 55gr V-Max should be great for 'yotes. Thats what I have for my 223 Weatherby Vanguard (1:9 twist) that is going to be my dedicated coyote rifle.

 

[jmr40]

Any bullet weight that shoots accurately in your rifle is fine for coyote. FMJ will kill them, but an expanding bullet will put them down faster. Just don't overthink it.

 

[Chuck R.]

I use Nosler 55BTs in four .223s that I use for coyote hunting (3 ARs & Rem M7 & Rem 700).

MVs vary from 2900 to just shy of 3200 and I've yet to lose a yote. Lonest shot to date was just under 400yds, closest was just under 30. I like the Nolser 55 BT because I've got them to shoot pretty well in every .223 I've tried them in with 1:7, 1:8, and 1:9 twists. About the only concern I'd have with them is IF I was shooting yotes for fur.

 

[HB]

I hope you have ammo because there is no .223 around

 

[Bfh_auto]

I run the 40vmax over a compressed load of cfe223.
If you want to run heavy bullets I recommend plastic tipped ones. The hpbt match bullets tend to not expand reliably.
The one in the pic ate a 40gr in the back of the head. No exit equals little fur damage.

 

[MacAR]

The one in the pic ate a 40gr in the back of the head. No exit equals little fur damage.

Nice song dog. I made the mistake of feeding one a 180 grain slug outta my '06; does a good job but ruins the fur. My little .222 does a lot better, and the 50,grain sp doesn't damage the hide much. Not that it matters any more, the hides ain't worth fleshing. Last ones I sold went $35 a piece. They were good prime hides, too. Shame, really.

Mac

 

[Bfh_auto]

Nice song dog. I made the mistake of feeding one a 180 grain slug outta my '06; does a good job but ruins the fur. My little .222 does a lot better, and the 50,grain sp doesn't damage the hide much. Not that it matters any more, the hides ain't worth fleshing. Last ones I sold went $35 a piece. They were good prime hides, too. Shame, really.

Mac

Thanks. It was dumb enough to trot into the field when I was raking hay. I have multiple pics of ones hit by the 40gr. They always have a tiny spec of blood and no exit.
I've found the 100 AMAX in 260 to be the largest bullet that reliably stays inside a coyote. They usually rotate about 80 degrees on impact.

 

[hps1]

I am thinking about using my AR in 223 for coyotes. How heavy of a bullet can I use in a Bushmaster that will be effective? The only bullets I have shot in it are .55 gr on targets.
Thanks in advance.

My go to coyote rifle is a Bushmaster Predator (1:8 twist); super accurate w/55 gr. Nosler BT's
<<<<Close to max load; start low & work up!
These bullets perform as well on coyotes and even hogs w/careful application, as they do on paper.

Same load shoots sub MOA & works equally well on coyotes with a PSA upper with a 1:8 twist.
Regards,
hps

 

[sarduy]

For coyotes you can use anything from 45gr to 79gr as long as your rifle shoot it accurately. 55gr been the standard

 

[ECVMatt]

I like the 55 Grn V-max. It took me a while to warm up to the AR as a coyote rifle, but now it is one of my favorite calling rifles.

 

[joneb]

If my 22 Hornet works for coyotes your cartridge is more than adequate.
I am comfortable at 100-200 yds for coyotes with the Hornet, wind permitting.

 

[cdb1]

I use my .243 most of the time but have shot a couple of coyotes using 64 grain PowerPoints in my 1:9 twist AR-15. I was happy with the results.