223 Bullet of choice for coyote hunting in my 14.5" barreled AR?

Dultimatpredator

Dultimatpredator

Well-known member
I'm sure it's been asked a thousand times...but here we go. I've been outta the AR game for years and bought a POF P415 the other day with the 14.5" barrel with a pinned brake. I'm putting on my nikon Monarch 2.5x10 42mm mil dot optic. I've shot coyotes with the 60g v max outta my remington ltr in the past. If I remember right the velocity was around 2950fps. I also loaded up some 40g discontinued CT's by nosler that shot tight little groups out of my long gone bushmaster. What's the best bullet to knock a coyote on its butt and what should I expect for velocities with my rifle. I plan on reloading for this rifle.
 
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Regardless of your barrels twist rate, it's hard to go wrong with the 55-60gr V-Max...They see mot work well in everything from 1/7-1/12 twists..They are pretty powder friendly as well..
 
You should try Hornady Superformance 53Gr. Has a higher velocity than all the other 223 loads and that should compensate some for the shorter barrel.
 
I saw a listing for a 60g nosler ballistic tip the other day. I haven't loaded 223 for years and haven't researched new bullet offerings. Didn't know if it was a mistake or if nosler got on board with a 60 grain offering...is it any good? I only harvested one coyote with the 60g vmax. I head on chest shot at 125 yards. It DRTd it. It did exit the dog but I couldn't find an in or out hole till I skinned it. I shot another dog and it humped up and ran off. After this I went back to my 243...marginal shots count with the bigger caliber. If I went a lighter 40g bullet with a faster velocity will help with a marginal shot being the bullet will fragment more?
 
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Try a 50gr sierra BK or a heavier BK. I would rather have a heavier bullet for the marginal shot factor. Iv killed many with a 40gr v max but shots are either frontal or broadside.
 
I have had pretty good luck with the 50 & 55 Nosler BT out of the AR. I have read really great thing about the Sierra 55 SBT #1365. Have some loaded waiting for some sort of break in the weather!
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Originally Posted By: WI3DerI have had pretty good luck with the 50 & 55 Nosler BT out of the AR. I have read really great thing about the Sierra 55 SBT #1365. Have some loaded waiting for some sort of break in the weather!
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Yeah our weather sucks...My energy bill last month was almost as much as a cheap AR!
 
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Originally Posted By: Yote Yoda USMCYou should try Hornady Superformance 53Gr. Has a higher velocity than all the other 223 loads and that should compensate some for the shorter barrel.

+1 I like 50 v-max's also.
 
My 1/7 won't shoot anything under 60gr well. Possibly operator error. But 60gr v-max seems to stabilize a fast twist for me. Went from 2" to .75".
 
I run 55 and 60gr through my AR 16" exclusively. Those two bullet weights do a good job on coyotes. Bumped up to the 60gr's about a year ago after reading good things about that bullet weight here on PM. So far, so good, plus I don't have to re-zero.
 
I just shot the 52 gr.HP Ultramax rounds the other day...just getting back on paper (scope change), but seem to shoot very well in DPMS Prairie Panther.
 
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