.222 performance on Coyotes
- Thread starter DougK
- Start date
Jay Johnson
New member
You'll probably give away 20 to 40 yards compared to a .223. That isn't a factor where I hunt because its pretty thick unless you get a clear cut area. Having said that my .222 is my favorite calling/carry rifle. I either use a 40 Gr V-Max/Blitzking or a 52 Gr Speer the one with the real big hollow point.
Shot placement as always is going to be what tells the story.
Shot placement as always is going to be what tells the story.
Last edited:
Jay Johnson
New member
Broknaero are you near Laxawaxen?
I formerly had a .222 Rem. in a 788. In spite of the chamber being a bit on the large side of tolerances, with fireformed cases it was an accurate, easy to load for cartridge. A heck of a lot better than the Hornet I had before.
But, when I used it for coyote hunting, I felt it was lacking. This was not calling, where the shots would likely be at a stationary target, but driving sections, pushing them to other hunters. One coyote I shot at was running across a couple of plowed fields and I fired a total of 8 shots at it, but could not see where one bullet struck the ground. The shots were between 200 and 250 yards away and I never saw a bullet strike in the field, no dust .... no dirt fly. After that experience I went to a .243 Win shooting a 70 grain Nosler BT. When I miss, I can see dirt fly and make a correction.
For a calling rifle, the .222 Rem. will probably work fine, but if you are driving them, or dogging them, as are the common practice in this area, it leaves much to be desired. Many of the shots are relatively long ranged, and the hunters prefer to use an AR for multiple shots or something in a bolt gun like a .243 Win, or an even flatter shooting cartridge like a .25/06 or 6mm X .284.
But, when I used it for coyote hunting, I felt it was lacking. This was not calling, where the shots would likely be at a stationary target, but driving sections, pushing them to other hunters. One coyote I shot at was running across a couple of plowed fields and I fired a total of 8 shots at it, but could not see where one bullet struck the ground. The shots were between 200 and 250 yards away and I never saw a bullet strike in the field, no dust .... no dirt fly. After that experience I went to a .243 Win shooting a 70 grain Nosler BT. When I miss, I can see dirt fly and make a correction.
For a calling rifle, the .222 Rem. will probably work fine, but if you are driving them, or dogging them, as are the common practice in this area, it leaves much to be desired. Many of the shots are relatively long ranged, and the hunters prefer to use an AR for multiple shots or something in a bolt gun like a .243 Win, or an even flatter shooting cartridge like a .25/06 or 6mm X .284.
kyotekiller25
Well-known member
Performance on coyotes is good as any other .22 centerfire. Put a good 40-55g plastic tipped bullet in it and your good out to 300 yards for coyotes. I've shot quite a few out to 250 yards with 40g VLC and VMAX going 3700 and 3450 respectively. When they exited they still left some pretty decent sized holes, and if they didn't drop on the spot, they only went about 30-40 yards. I have switced to the 55g NBT at 3000fps. I've only shot 1 coyote with this combo and it was 140 yards. 55g NBT to the chest and it left about a 2" exit. I like the 222 for its accuracy. 5 shot groups of .5" at 100 yards shouldn't be hard to obtain, even with factory sporter weight rifles. Mine has shot 3 shot groups in the 1's many of times. I like it because its different as well. Not everyone has a 222, or even heard of the cartridge. Everybody and there dog has a 223. I would say get one, load it with any good 40-55g plastic tip bullet and go coyote hunting and expect to kill them out to 300 yards if you do your part.