.223 or .243 For Coyote?

VirginiaNewGuy

VirginiaNewGuy

New member
I am trying to decide on which bolt gun for coyotes?

My .308 's are a little on the heavy side to lug around (if I have a choice, which I do).

Of the .223's I would buy they all have a 1:9 twist barrel so it looks like 69gr bullets are the only ones that will shoot well.
I really would rather shoot only 75gr or 80gr AMAX. Nothing lighter, because of knock down power and I don't want varmit style explosive bullets so I can get exit wounds 100%.

With this rifle my shots will be 50 to 150yds. At 50yds it could be a 22mag and I'll kill it but what about at 100yds and 150 yds. 2 holes in and out is better than 1.

So what about the .243 ? Now I could use 80gr to 105 grs! The rifles I would buy only come with a 1: 9.25 twist barrel. And moving at the same rate of speed!!! Now we're talking.
But I have never owned a .243. Only .223 and .308 and I don't know if 80 grs is just like shooting a glorified .223 shooting 75grs or what? So that would mean shoot 105 grainers. Does a 1: 9.25 stabilize this weight?

If 105 grainers is the way to go on coyotes please let me know. But if I am not giving the .223 with 75gr Hornady AMAX enough credit and it knocks them down right there please let me know also.

I wish I could just use my 6.8spc (110gr at 2700fps) but that is only in my AR and I need a bolt gun to meet the regulations unfortunately.

Thanks in advance!
 
Not sure why you need the big match bullets for shots between 50-150yds? If you need for some reason to shoot heavy bullets the 65gr Gameking or the 62gr TSX, 60gr partion will all put two holes in the animal. And they're hunting bullets. As will many other .224 caliber bullets.

With those ranges I'd say definately .223 unless you're hunting a lot in the thick stuff. Sleddog uses a .243 to make sure they don't go far!

Ryan
 
In the area I hunt with this rifle that I am going to get it does get thick bordering the fields or spots of woods I call.

So when I shoot one (if I don't get a still head shot) and it's some type of side/shoulder shot I needed to know if the .223 most of the time drops them or do I need a .243? Keep in mind I am still trying to get that 1st kill.

In trying to figure this question out when I first started hunting the coyote a few years ago I wanted to know if my AR15 would be ok. The answer I found was "yes". And if it didn't go down just shoot it again.

But now to hunt in this area I have picked I can't use a semi so now my follow up shots will not be instant. In the terrain this spot provides in 20 yds the animal will be back in cover.
How far in that cover is the question.

Like any shot it is about shot placement but in quick opportunities fast shooting is the name of the game. So I just wanted to find out what the guys here who are killing yotes thought about the 2 rounds. I don't need the match bullet in the .223 It could shoot 2in at 100yds. It's the kinetic energy produced by the heavier bullets I want. With out having to bring my 14 lbs .308 out /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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Kinetic energy is great if it is reliably dumped. The match bullets may punch threw sometimes.

If I was really worried about not having to track at all I'd shoot the .243.

Ryan
 
Both are great cartiges and I have both. I'm shooting the 60 gr. v-max out of the 223 in 1-9, and in at least my experience, they shoot and kill coyotes very well. In the 243 I'm shooting the 85gr sierra game king bthp. If your saving furs, I'm not sure the 243 would by my choice, although it does knock'em down with authority.
 
I shoot the 243 with 55 grain Nosler ballistic tips. It really kills them dead from close up to out past 400 yards. Got friends whom shoot the 223 with 50 and 55 grain bullets and they work well in the 0 to 300 yard range on coyotes.
 
Both are good calibers. I used to use the .243 all the time but switched to the .223 just because it was cheaper to shoot. The .243 is not very fur friendly IMO. I'm shooting 52grain hornady bullets right now. Dropped a coyote in his tracks yesterday at 275yds. It's the CZ527 and i believe it has the 1:9 twist.
 
+1 for .223. Look how popular the AR is with predator hunters. I've used a .243 also and had some big exit holes. It boils down to if you want to skin them or not.
 
VNG,
From reading your post, I'm not sure if your asking or telling.

Just how much knockdown power do you think you need on a 25-30lb coyote? Heck, people are killing deer that easily are 5-8 times bigger with bullets from 85-130grs in 6mm's and 270's all the time. I kill most of my coyotes with a little 25gr bullet in my 17 Rem and go even bigger, to a whole 35grs in my 204 Ruger. Some of my friends, tease people who use a cannon like a 223? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

In all seriousness, a 223 will be plenty enough cartridge for shots like your talking up to 150 yards or so. And people shoot light bullets in fast twist 223's all the time. If you want an exit use the 223 with a Sierra 55gr SBT bullet, #1365 I think is the number. Stay off the shoulder and go for the lungs.

Pay more attention to the wind, your setup/stand location, and calling technique.
 
I'll agree with Coyotejunki on this one. The origianl post seemed way out of wack for me. Heavy for caliber bullets? 2 holes better than 1? Not in my opinion.

At the ranges you are talking about either gun will drop a coyote DRT. Use a good HP or varmint bullet in either gun. The .243 will do more damage so if you are that worried about tracking use the 243 (and maybe practice up your shooting).

CB
 
Quote:
VNG,
Just how much knockdown power do you think you need on a 25-30lb coyote?



Coyotes here in the northeast range from 35-50lbs from what i have seen.
 
Personally I would go with the 223, to me a 243 is a deer rifle, I own a couple and even loaded them with 58 grain varmint bullets- but I rather hunt varmints with something that allows me to keep my eyes on during recoil. I figure the 243 with the 58s is comparable to a 22-250 without looking at the numbers.

In the 70s I owned a Win 70 varminter heavy barrel in 243- wish I still had it. But I prefer the smaller rounds these days. But there are many calibers that out-perform the 223 also. Keep center JHG
 
Wow! Thanks guys. Lots of reasons to stay with a .223 for my new bolt gun. I really don't want another set of reloading dies and powder to keep up with anyway. Shot placement is key. If I could get all the conditions right I know I can do with my .17HMR and the Speer TNT's (they stay together unlike the VMAX). So I already get that. I just needed to know exactly what you all just said about the .223.

Gunny, can you test those 75gr or 80 grainers in a 1:9 for me this week? I am thinking AMAX is what I want to use if I go with the .223 I was telling you about.

Thanks all!
 
if you were shooting longer distances i'd say 243.
i love mine and its my go to rifle.
i've tried the 17 rem, 223, 22-250, 220 swift, and still stick to the 243.
i'm after dead coyotes not furs.
my shots can be 5' to as far as i can hit them
 
I have a 223 Improved with a 1-9 twist Shilen barrel, and it shoots the 75gr AMAX just fine. I hear that some 1-9 twist won't. My AR15 Service rifle setup is 1-8 and will shoot both of those bullets. It also shot the 60gr HP's in very tight groups.
 
well said middleton, you can't skin a coyote you can't recover and I don't skin 'em anyway - just want them dead and not have to chase after them - shot placement AND caliber = .243 for me. Hunting partner uses .223/5.56 and our weapon combo works for us - he takes the runners and I take the long standing shots. Whack and stack.
 
i think the 243 is alot more versatile since you can shoot some 100 grain bullets for deer or similar sized game. If I ever buy another centerfire it would be a 243
 
For Eastern Coyotes though bigger you wont find them in the open often. Your not gonna call them out into a field very often. At calling ranges 25-75 yards I cant think of much better than a 12ga. Most coyotes I've encountered try to stick to trails in the cover and try to circle down wind of you.

If you want a rifle almost any center fire will work. .223 will kill them with a good hit, .243 will kill them deader. Shot placement is the key, and learning to play the wind and anticipate your shot options so your not taking messy shots. A coyote will go farther with a butt shot or gut shot from a .243 than a vital shot from a .22Hornet (with the right bullet).

What ever caliber you chose is only as good as you can shoot it, and the use of properly constructed bullets.
 


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