Factory 223 ammo for coyotes?

[mshootnit]

Looking for current recommendations/ experiences with some factory loadings for 223. Getting the bolt gun ready for some winter coyotes.
I am looking at factory loads up to about 60 gr to fit the old slow twist in my ruger.

What are you having good luck with?

 

[FL-NC]

My go-to for deer and hogs in that caliber is 75 grain Hornady BTHP. If it works on them, I imagine it would work fine on a dog. My rifles twists range from 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, and it groups just fine in all of them. What twist is your rifle?

 

[Bfh_auto]

Looking for current recommendations/ experiences with some factory loadings for 223. Getting the bolt gun ready for some winter coyotes.
I am looking at factory loads up to about 60 gr to fit the old slow twist in my ruger.

What are you having good luck with?

Try the Federal 40gr VMAX load. It was excellent in my 1-12 & 1-8 twist guns.
I also like the UMC 45 Hollow point.
I've since changed over to heavy bullets because my shower twist will stabilize a 77 SMK. So I use them.
Really any non fmj load will shoot well enough. The fmj generally kills well too. But it can leave you scratching your head also. The 2 I mentioned are emphatic killers. Generally leaving no exit.

 

[entropy]

Hornady Superformance 55 gr. V- Max. Deadly on coyotes, deadly on deer.

 

[mshootnit]

My go-to for deer and hogs in that caliber is 75 grain Hornady BTHP. If it works on them, I imagine it would work fine on a dog. My rifles twists range from 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, and it groups just fine in all of them. What twist is your rifle?

1:12

 

[mshootnit]

Hornady Superformance 55 gr. V- Max. Deadly on coyotes, deadly on deer.

This one?
https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...ton-55gr-v-max-rifle-ammo-20-rounds/p/1182432

 

[entropy]

No, This one:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002014458?pid=646154

It looks like the Superformance isn't available anymore in 55 gr. (according to Hornady's web site), but I believe the 53 gr. would suffice for song dogs.

 

[buck460XVR]

'Yotes are easy to kill, you basically just need to hit them in the vitals, so bullet type is not as relevant as accuracy.

 

[Bfh_auto]

No, This one:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002014458?pid=646154

It looks like the Superformance isn't available anymore in 55 gr. (according to Hornady's web site), but I believe the 53 gr. would suffice for song dogs.

53 vmax wouldn't work in my 1-12 223.
The 55 is shorter and does.

 

[Bfh_auto]

'Yotes are easy to kill, you basically just need to hit them in the vitals, so bullet type is not as relevant as accuracy.

I agree. A lot depends on your intent. I just want them dead. So I overkill. Some folks want to sell the hide. So they like to keep the hide intact.
A dog hunting friend wanted to slow the down enough that his young dogs could catch them. He found 55 fmjs are a lot more brutal than people give them credit for.

 

[entropy]

53 vmax wouldn't work in my 1-12 223.
The 55 is shorter and does.

? Are you saying the OAL is too long? Doesn't fit in the mag, or the lands engrave the bullet when chambered? I can assure you 53 gr bullets are compatible with the twist rate, it falls in the sweet spot for 1:12.
Is this a custom barrel with little to no leade?
It doesn't make sense that you are considering 60 grain, which is going to have a longer OAL, yet say 53 gr. is too long.

 

[buck460XVR]

dog hunting friend wanted to slow the down enough that his young dogs could catch them.

....which is not only illegal in most states, but also unethical and inhumane.

 

[jmorris]

'Yotes are easy to kill, you basically just need to hit them in the vitals, so bullet type is not as relevant as accuracy.

I agree, an FMJ might be a better choice that some of the “varmint grenades” out there if you are wanting the pelts.

You just need to limit distances to ones that you know you can place the bullet accurately. I use my “minor” 9mm load (147RN~950 fps) here at the house and it works fine but they are generally at close ranges (because we have chickens out back).

 

[Bfh_auto]

....which is not only illegal in most states, but also unethical and inhumane.

I agree with you. I Don't agree with his thought process when it comes to hunting in general.
There is a reason I suggested the 2 loads that I did. They do an excellent job with minimal pelt damage if someone is a hide hunter.

 

[Larry in wyoming]

While an fmj may do more than just pencil through as we've all been told, please check the legality of using them before you do. The states that would allow them are few and far between I think.

 

[borrowedtime69]

I use Federal Power Shok, .223REM, 55 grain soft points, they're plenty accurate for my coyote needs. If I do my part and put the bullet in the right spot, they drop right where they stand.

 

[mshootnit]

I bought some of the following and waiting for a chance to try them for groups in my rifle:
Federal Premium 55gr. BT
Federal Predator Varmint 53 VMax
HSM Predator 55 gr. Blitzking.

Going to see which shoot the best in my 223.

 

[jmorris]

While an fmj may do more than just pencil through as we've all been told, please check the legality of using them before you do. The states that would allow them are few and far between I think.

Texas is one that doesn’t care if you use FMJ’s on varmints, I can’t even find where they don’t allow them on game animals... All I am seeing is that one can’t use any rimfire on certain species of game animals.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/general-regulations/means-and-methods
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/

I can’t find where Wyoming doesn’t allow FMJ for predators either, as long as your not shooting them from a public road but bullet type won’t help you any with that.



https://wgfd.wyo.gov/FAQ/General-Hunting-and-Trapping-FAQ

Most certainly want to make sure it’s legal first though.

 

[Larry in wyoming]

Well that's interesting

 

[jmorris]

I think a lot of people see “no non expanding bullets” for game animals and just carry that across the board.

I googled “FMJ for coyotes” and found a number of forums where someone stated that their State prohibited their use but could find nothing in that States regulations that prohibited their use on non game animals. I only checked a couple though.

 

[Larry in wyoming]

A 45gr soft point for 22 hornet has been my pelt saving load. 22 caliber entrance hole and no exit.
That's in a 223

 

[Bfh_auto]

A 45gr soft point for 22 hornet has been my pelt saving load. 22 caliber entrance hole and no exit.
That's in a 223

They kind of go poof when they hit things. Don't they?
I played that game when I ran a 1-12 twist. Anything from 35 VMAX to 52 speer did pretty much the same thing.
The Speer would leave nasty entry if I caught bone on a frontal shot.
The 40 VMAX with as much CFE223 as I could cram in the case was my Huckleberry.

 

[Larry in wyoming]

Yep! My stevens is a 7 twist. Those little 45s come apart really good inside a coyote. It's kind of amusing to see coyote just go stiff then crumple.

 

[GooseGestapo]

If you’re hunting for pelts, use a 50gr or lighter bullet. They’re fine in a 1/12”.

Milspec 55gr FMJ can be a mixed can of worms. They’re likely to yaw (tumble) and cause massive trauma.
This coyote was shot at around 100yds with a 90gr Speer HotCore at 3,200fps m/v. No exit wound. -What you desire.