69gr Matchking for coyotes in 20" AR?

mcseal2

mcseal2

New member
I just got a DPMS Prairie Panther a few days ago I got a chance to dial in the last couple days. After breaking the barrel in and zeroing the 3.5-18x44 Swaro I stuck on it for now I started shooting groups.

It seemed to shoot decent, around 1" for 4 shots, with the 60gr Black Hills V max load, and with some RAM 55gr V max ammo I had. It did not like the Black Hills 60gr SP or Hornady Superformance 53gr load at all. I also tried some Federal Gold Medal Match ammo loaded with the 69gr Sierra HPBT Matchking, and it shot great. I only had a box of it around so I shot 4 for accuracy and then 4 more to get an idea on velocity. It shot dime size groups both times. Velocity was 2741fps average and only averaged a 7fps variation between shots.

On a side note, the 55gr Ram ammo was running about 2860fps and the 60gr Black hills was running 2840fps. The Superformance averaged 3211fps for 5 shots, it really did scream if the rifle had only liked it.

Has anyone used the 69gr Match King on coyotes at a similar speed, and if so what kind of performance did you get? Something else I should try that's faster? I'm not overly worried about hide damage on coyote, just don't want to trash a bobcat if I get lucky enough to call one. Thanks for your help.
 
Black Hills loads a 5.56 version of the 69 gr tipped SMK. I handload the same bullet over Varget. It shoots the same POA/POI as my regular SMK load. Not sure on the velocity, but its a max load of Varget out of a 16" barrel.

Triad Tactical has it in stock.

It's a small sample size, but I shot one Bobcat (frontal chest shot) with the 69 tSMK at around 55 yards and it dropped on the spot with no exit.

Good thread here:
http://www.predatormastersforums.com/for...007#Post2801007
 
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There bout like a FMJ when I tried them in a 22BR and they were about 1000fps faster
wink.gif
you won't be getting any splashs...
 
After more research and reading all the mixed results I tried some more different ammo. I ended up finding it shot great with the plain Jane Winchester Super X 55gr SP loads. I shot two groups of 5 shots each, one with and one without the chronograph strapped to the barrel. Both were thumbnail size groups and had the same point of impact. Velocity averaged 3050fps. I think they should perform well on coyotes. The downside is I don't gain a whole lot in trajectory, the BC on the Winchester bullets is a very low .197. Still for most called coyotes it shouldn't matter much.

If I ever start loading for the AR I'll try playing with some 55gr Sierra Gamekings, but for now this should work well.
 
The regular, untipped SMKs are bad for game. I shot three coyotes on one trip. The first caught bone and dumped him. The other two ran off from solid chest cavity hits and were't recovered.
 

I've shot them with the Hornady 68gr BTHP Match and all were very dead. The best coyote bullet I've used from the .223 is the Sierra 55gr BTSP #1365.
 
I sure wish I could find a factory load with the Sierra 1365 bullet in 223, haven't seen one yet. I have used that bullet in a 220 swift and 22-250 and really liked it. I just haven't started loading for the 223, ammo is usually cheap enough I just buy it. I spend enough time loading for the bigger guns I shoot less. I weigh every powder charge when loading and it takes time.
 
I believe SSA loads the 63 gr SMP. I know two guys that use them (handloaded) on mice to moose. They don't tear up hides either.
 
Why do people CONSTANTLY ask about or insist on using MATCH grade bullets for HUNTING? Sierra states that they are not designed for hunting and shouldn't be used. Some of you seem to think you know more than the bullet manufacturers.

SMK's do not perform consistently for hunting purposes. The same shot on 2 animals can and will often achieve different results. In one instance an SMK will perform like an FMJ. In another it can fragment like a varmint bullet.

Common sense dictates that ethical hunters should use the right bullet for the purpose it was designed for.
 
I asked because it was the only thing I'd found that shot as well as I like from my rifle. Also I know some old timers who swear by matchkings in their 243's and 22-250's. They started loading them before plastic tipped bullets were available and never changed. I know bullet technology has improved greatly, but coyote vitals are still a small target and bullet placement is still the most important factor. Accuracy helps me with my bullet placement. I plan to use the Winchester SP load now that I found it is accurate and faster anyway. Shot one with it facing me at 35yds I called in last weekend, barely visible entrance and no exit.
 
the winchesters in my experience are too tough of a bullet. the have a tendency to punch out the other side, sometimes not so nicely.

i have had great luck with 55gr v-max, both in accuracy and in terminal performance. i only rarely get exits and only under 100 yards, and only on broadside shots. i also get about 1/2 moa out of 2 different rifles.

i tried quite a few bullets before the v-max. stopped looking after i tried them.
 
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