.223 Ammo For Long Distance Yotes

Hoosier Daddy

Hoosier Daddy

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I'm buying a DPMS Panther Sportical AR with a 16'' barrel , what would be the most inexpensive but effective round for knock down power for lets say about 300 yd shots for that gun ?

Thanks Mark
 
The ones you reload yourself.

Every gun is going to like different ammo. Even 2 guns of the same make and model in many cases. Nobody can just tell you what is going to shoot accurately to 300 yards in your gun.
 
I understand that 100% , i just read the Fred Eichler thread on him using FMJ's i can get 300 rounds of Winchester 55gr FMJ's for $100.00 , but i'm hearing there not a good choice since they leave a pencil size entrance and exit hole ......I've been Bow Hunting Yotes for 25 years and laying down some awsome footage for my pro staffs , I got 11 this year with my New 2010 Bowtech Destroyer 350 , just decided to pick up a rifle for the educated yotes that wont come into bow range , this is my first AR
 
I will second what TCS has stated. If all you are going to be doing is long shots I would try the 68 gr bthp by hornady. They shot great out of my tika. I use them for those Idaho when I know that all I will be shooting are shots over 300 yds. they shoot MOA out to about 500 yds after that I have not really tried them. I like h335 powder as well or varget.

Good luck
 
I agree, in part, with TCS as to the individual likes/dislikes of each rifle/barrel... Depending on your barrel twist rate, the bullet weight will generally provide better stability if it's slightly heavier for long distance shooting...

I've had slow twist barrels (1/14 & 1/12, also longer than 16") that will put lighter bullets accurately at long distances, but the accuracy is dependent on available breeze/wind....

For most general shooting, I have three 16" barreled ARs that have a slightly faster twist (1/9) that allows me to use the 60-68gr bullets with better long range accuracy when there is any kind of breeze in the area..Hopefully, one of the heavier factory rounds will work well with your rifle..

If you don't reload, I'd give some of the heavier Black Hills or the UltraMax rounds a try...Hopefully, one of the heavier factory rounds will work well with your rifle..

If you do reload, then there are a wider variety of bullets and loads that you can build and try..I'd start with some of the mid-range to slower powders in the Burn Rate Chart, starting with the W-748 and above..(#103-112)...

Burn Rate Chart

Always starting low with the Bullet Manufactures published data and working up slowly...
 
Originally Posted By: OldTurtleI agree, in part, with TCS as to the individual likes/dislikes of each rifle/barrel... Depending on your barrel twist rate, the bullet weight will generally provide better stability if it's slightly heavier for long distance shooting...

I've had slow twist barrels (1/14 & 1/12, also longer than 16") that will put lighter bullets accurately at long distances, but the accuracy is dependent on available breeze/wind....

For most general shooting, I have three 16" barreled ARs that have a slightly faster twist (1/9) that allows me to use the 60-68gr bullets with better long range accuracy when there is any kind of breeze in the area..Hopefully, one of the heavier factory rounds will work well with your rifle..

If you don't reload, I'd give some of the heavier Black Hills or the UltraMax rounds a try...Hopefully, one of the heavier factory rounds will work well with your rifle..

If you do reload, then there are a wider variety of bullets and loads that you can build and try..I'd start with some of the mid-range to slower powders in the Burn Rate Chart, starting with the W-748 and above..(#103-112)...

Burn Rate Chart

Always starting low with the Bullet Manufactures published data and working up slowly...

My AR has the 1/9 twist ......Thanks for the info much appreciated , i'm not new at hunting by anymeans just new to the AR world
 
Not what I would call "Cheap" but it's about what your limted too factory load that I would trust shooting that far on game Black hills ! Don't go lower then 55gr some 1:9's will shoot the 75's and some won't it's a gamble.

And please save the FMJ's for the paper ONLY!
 
I know several folks that swear by the 60gr VMax loaded by Black Hills and I have seen it first hand on coyotes and hogs. Cabela's carries it but they sell out out pretty quick when they get it.
 
Chances are that cheap ammo is not gonna be the most accurate in your (or any) gun. FMJ's in general are a no-no and cheap FMJ's even worse. Your best bet:

#1) Reload
#2) Buy many brands of quality hunting ammo and see which ammo you gun shoots best. Then stock up.

300 yards is not much a stretch for even the lowly .223. It isn't gonna take a heavy, long range match bullet to get you on target at that range. Standard hunting HP'ss, SP's and poly tipped bullets in weights of 50-55grs will be just fine.

CB
 
I always missed more yotes from bullet drop than wind drift, but then again Most of my shots were 350 and under with the vast majority being 150 and under.

For 350 yards and under, I would prefer a flatter shooting 55g Bullet, then again, that is just me.

JLK makes a 55g Bullet with a 12S ojive.

The only Match bullets that I trust on yotes is a custom bullet made on a J-4 Jacket due to bullet expansion, my only exception with be the A Max bullets.

I hate to unzip a yote and try and shoot him as he is hopping up and own in his guts. To heck with shooting a 68g Bullet at 2850 fps at yotes running in at unknown distances from between 275-400 yards...take your time and get them in a little closer....one shot...one kill!
 
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16" barrel, I prefer 24" I use a 25" one for my T.20. The best bullet I used in my .223 was the 55gr Nosler. It has a thick piece of copper on back of the bullet, if the bullet explodes the back keeps going on to the other side of the body.
You will loose ftps with that short of a barrel, I thought my 20" one was too short for flat shooting.
 
Hoosier Daddy: You said KnocK Down Power. The last thing that you would want to uses is FMJ. If you don't hit them in the head or shoulder all you are going to see is coyote a-hole runing to the sunset. You will need a bullet that you can be sure will open at 300yds. I would start with the heavest V-max or Nosler BT's that will work with the twist for you rifle. If they don't work you can send them to me.
 
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