.223 40 grain bullets. Good for Coyotes?

A bud and I used to use the 55 gr poly tips,be it the noslers,sierras are hornadys,(and this be in .223)if the coyotes were out there a little ways they would take em out fine.but we found that under 50 yards the poly tips would blow up on the surface of the coyotes.no penatration.well we lost several dogs to this..I now use the remington psp 55gr.are the sierra 55gr hollow points.the remington psp are seated with the cannuler above the mouth and a slight crimp wtih a lee factory crimp die.and 25 grs of h335 pushing it out the barrel.it has been great on the coyotes.and is accurate out of my H&K 630.
 
sleddogg,
The 22-250 is probably one of the most used calibers for coyotes than anything else. It will get the job done for sure. But I would still suggest that you go out and give your 223 a try first with different types of bullets before trading it. It will kill coyotes, it just has some limitations like any other rifle for hunting, thats all.... -Mike
 
Ronald, I'm glad someone finally said it! I've not found coyotes any tougher to dispatch than any other game I've hunted either. I by no means have NEAR the experience of many of the excellent callers on this board, but the coyote has always expired quite easily for me every time, as long as I hit them well. Blow their shoulder off on a quartering shot, and yes they will run a long way, but so will a deer shot with an '06, or a squirrel shot poorly with a 22 rimfire. Hit 'em good, and they croak as fast as anything. And yup, once in awhile one goes a way before it dumps for some reason, but that is true with all wild animals.

Mike, I will give the .223 a try with the heavier bullets we all have discussed here. I have a nice load worked up using Mr. Cronks starting recipe. I won't hunt Coyotes 'till fall, and I'll let you know how I make out with the .223 remington here in New England.

Thanks to ALL for answering my question, and helping me come to an informed descision!!!
 
Sleddog, don't be cornfussed into thinking that the 223 won't do the job. That and a 222 is all I've used and I don't feel under gunned for 250 yards or so. You hunting under 100 yards in the big woods will have to consider hitting brush and leaves more than bullet performance. A 243 will even have trouble with that.
 
I think this post was started with a question about the 223. I'm gonna try this same caliber this fall, and this thread has helped with deciding which bullet to use....almost! Some hunters have swithed to the 17 caliber to save pelt damage. This makes sense to me. Now going larger will most definatly do more damage. More throat errosion, more powder usage, more barrel wear. Less shooting fun! All the reason that I decided to try the 223. I can shoot more without heating up the barrel as much when working up loads. Brass lasts longer, as do barrels. I can afford to shoot more, by using less powder. I have had no problem hitting bowling pins at 400 yards, and know of many competition shooters using it extensivly to 600 yards, and 900 yards (these were tighter twist barrels using 70 and 80 grain bullets). I am a firm believer in shot placement, but being a hunter also know what can happen out there. I hope this kicks this thread along a little, and hope to get more load/bullet combos for the 223. The newest Sierra catalog shows many accurate loads using H 335 powder. Is this a favorite? I would be interested in hearing of anyone using moly too.
 
Up until recently I have been using the Sierra 55Gr.SPBT with 24.9 Gr. of W748.This load has shown to be a real coyote killer.It is not a max load by any means,but effective.It has also shown to be fur friendly.Of the 17 coyotes taken with the .223 I have had only 2 that I can remember having an exit that was bigger than a Quarter,most of which had no exit and I couldn't find the entrance wound.

Fellas,

I have been testing the new Hodgon Benchmark powder and have finally come up with a load that should prove to be as lethal but somewhat faster and flatter shooting.Only time will tell this coming fall.The load is a Sierra 55Gr SPBT over 25 Gr. Benchmark and Fed BR primers in a LC case.
(aprox. 3000-3100 fps)

I may opt to test some lighter bullets with this powder but the terminal performance I have been getting with the 55 Gr SPBT it is hard to change (why fix it if it isn't broke)
 
I just found the best load for my .223 so far and it was the first one I loaded. Win Brass, Win small rifle Primers, 26.5 gr Varget, topped with Sierra 1210.(45gr Sp hornet) That load is giving me .500 aty 100 yards. I am going to try some 50gr nosiler BT. with H335 26gr. The .223 is a great gun for coyotes!!!
 
..my .223 load for coyotes and everything else....

29.0 grains Accurate 2230
52 grain Sierra BTHP MOLY-COATED
CCI SR primer
Winchester brass

This load chronographs 3600FPS, and is only for moly-coated bullets. It produces 1/2" 100 yard groups from my Savage 10FP.

The last coyote I killed, and my heaviest one to date at 38 pounds, was called in and killed at 125 yards. One hit in the ribcage put him down, instantly!!

This load also works very well for me when I go prairie dogging, every summer.
 
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