Dropped 2 tonight and lost both. No more .223 for me
- Thread starter varminter .223
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6mm06
Well-known member
I used a 16" Bushmaster in New Mexico while hunting with Tony Tebbe and VicFox from Australia a few years ago. We shot 60 gr. V-Max and everything hit the dirt. I tend to like a slightly heavier bullet than the light weights, but I certainly can't argue with DoubleUp's success rate with the 50 grainers, nor other guys who have done quite well with the lighter bullets. I do believe, however, the 60's are a step above, but that's just my opinion. I shoot H335, 24.2 grains with those bullets. Not sure the velocity, but they certainly do drop coyotes.
varminter .223
Well-known member
Almost got to test the 22 250 on one at about 200 yards last night until the neighbor drove in to see what was going on and blew him out. The curse at this spot continues. I don't how many coyotes are in this bottom but there is a bunch and we found out the neighbor is constantly messing with them with calls and green lights but has never killed one. Can you say "educated".
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Originally Posted By: BAYSTATE YOTEOriginally Posted By: CZ527You don't say??
Yep, also did get three doubles drt this season, I use a 55 grain Nosler Varmagedon with 26 grains of Varget.
I shoot the same bullet in mine, but not at coyotes when there's thousands of dollars at stake.
Yep, also did get three doubles drt this season, I use a 55 grain Nosler Varmagedon with 26 grains of Varget.
I shoot the same bullet in mine, but not at coyotes when there's thousands of dollars at stake.
varminter .223
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: cmlIf you hit vitals they are dead. Does not matter what you poke them with...you hit them..they are dead. You need to keep blasting until there is no doubt, like I do with the .22mag. They keep movin...I keep shootin.
I agree with this to an extent. If you keep blasting with a centerfire rifle and varmint style bullets the guy who salvages my hides will likely not continue salvaging my hides lol.
I agree with this to an extent. If you keep blasting with a centerfire rifle and varmint style bullets the guy who salvages my hides will likely not continue salvaging my hides lol.
BAYSTATE YOTE
Active member
Originally Posted By: CZ527Originally Posted By: BAYSTATE YOTEOriginally Posted By: CZ527You don't say??
Yep, also did get three doubles drt this season, I use a 55 grain Nosler Varmagedon with 26 grains of Varget.
I shoot the same bullet in mine, but not at coyotes when there's thousands of dollars at stake.
Would you mind enlightening us "oh great killer of coyotes" as to what you are using for bullet and load combo, given that there is so much money involved? Or are we not worthy to partake of your knowledge on the subject..
Yep, also did get three doubles drt this season, I use a 55 grain Nosler Varmagedon with 26 grains of Varget.
I shoot the same bullet in mine, but not at coyotes when there's thousands of dollars at stake.
Would you mind enlightening us "oh great killer of coyotes" as to what you are using for bullet and load combo, given that there is so much money involved? Or are we not worthy to partake of your knowledge on the subject..
I've probably posted it 100 times you (I revised this section to keep from getting a timeout.)
BUT, since I wouldn't expect anyone to read each and every post on this forum, I'll go ahead and enlighten YOU.
I prefer 6mm bullets. I primarily shoot a bolt action 6mm WOA. It works very well, but I occasionally have to shoot a coyote twice. I have considered moving to 6x47 Lapua, but I think that some will require a follow up regardless, because of shot placement.... Now, that's not to say that my team can't shoot. It's due largely to the fact that we call in a lot of multiples, and often the last ones to bite the dust are the fastest and the farthest. As you (might) can imagine, they're a little hard to hit in the vitals.
My longest running partner shoots a 243 with 70 grain NBTs, and the combination kills them very well.
There will, of course, always be room in the truck for a 22-250, a Swift or even a 17 Remington, as all of these have a lot more (than a 223) of what kills coyotes better than anything -velocity.
More speed, more lead or at best a combination of both. That's what knocks them flat.
You can call me all the sarcastic names you wish, but the truth is my team knows where it stands around here. We aren't the best, but we're close, and I think that if we continue working really hard at it we will get there. We don't have to look for coyotes, so we've got that going for us anyway....
BUT, since I wouldn't expect anyone to read each and every post on this forum, I'll go ahead and enlighten YOU.
I prefer 6mm bullets. I primarily shoot a bolt action 6mm WOA. It works very well, but I occasionally have to shoot a coyote twice. I have considered moving to 6x47 Lapua, but I think that some will require a follow up regardless, because of shot placement.... Now, that's not to say that my team can't shoot. It's due largely to the fact that we call in a lot of multiples, and often the last ones to bite the dust are the fastest and the farthest. As you (might) can imagine, they're a little hard to hit in the vitals.
My longest running partner shoots a 243 with 70 grain NBTs, and the combination kills them very well.
There will, of course, always be room in the truck for a 22-250, a Swift or even a 17 Remington, as all of these have a lot more (than a 223) of what kills coyotes better than anything -velocity.
More speed, more lead or at best a combination of both. That's what knocks them flat.
You can call me all the sarcastic names you wish, but the truth is my team knows where it stands around here. We aren't the best, but we're close, and I think that if we continue working really hard at it we will get there. We don't have to look for coyotes, so we've got that going for us anyway....
I had a similar experience recently, I called in a triple at close range. The first two made a bee line for the decoy, realized it was a trap and bailed, the third one saw me and went about 60 yards and stopped.
He gave me a broad side shot I dropped him with shot from Hornady Super Peformance GMX .223 55grn factory loads. He went down and was flopping, I jumped up looking for the other two, when I looked over at the dog I shot, he gets up and starts hauling the mail. I couldn't believe a dog hit that hard wasn't DRT.
I'm new to this, so that is my first lesson regarding the toughness of these coyotes.
He gave me a broad side shot I dropped him with shot from Hornady Super Peformance GMX .223 55grn factory loads. He went down and was flopping, I jumped up looking for the other two, when I looked over at the dog I shot, he gets up and starts hauling the mail. I couldn't believe a dog hit that hard wasn't DRT.
I'm new to this, so that is my first lesson regarding the toughness of these coyotes.
BAYSTATE YOTE
Active member
Well thanks for the info, CZ, glad you and your team are on it.
As a old long range chuck shooter, I love my bolt guns, but they have no place up here in the east, where dogs come from all directions, come in multiples, and you may need quick follow ups, the AR is the rifle that fits the bill.
I am not a sport hunter, I work for farmers only, I hunt alone, running the call, spotting and shooting..
Hope your not offended, anyone who doesn't miss or have a runner here and there probably isn't calling any coyotes..
As a old long range chuck shooter, I love my bolt guns, but they have no place up here in the east, where dogs come from all directions, come in multiples, and you may need quick follow ups, the AR is the rifle that fits the bill.
I am not a sport hunter, I work for farmers only, I hunt alone, running the call, spotting and shooting..
Hope your not offended, anyone who doesn't miss or have a runner here and there probably isn't calling any coyotes..
Originally Posted By: varminter .223Originally Posted By: cmlIf you hit vitals they are dead. Does not matter what you poke them with...you hit them..they are dead. You need to keep blasting until there is no doubt, like I do with the .22mag. They keep movin...I keep shootin.
I agree with this to an extent. If you keep blasting with a centerfire rifle and varmint style bullets the guy who salvages my hides will likely not continue salvaging my hides lol.
Lol! You're probably right! I hit one a few weeks ago with two .223 .55grn vmax's and he was a mess.
I agree with this to an extent. If you keep blasting with a centerfire rifle and varmint style bullets the guy who salvages my hides will likely not continue salvaging my hides lol.
Lol! You're probably right! I hit one a few weeks ago with two .223 .55grn vmax's and he was a mess.
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Originally Posted By: BAYSTATE YOTEWell thanks for the info, CZ, glad you and your team are on it.
As a old long range chuck shooter, I love my bolt guns, but they have no place up here in the east, where dogs come from all directions, come in multiples, and you may need quick follow ups, the AR is the rifle that fits the bill.
I am not a sport hunter, I work for farmers only, I hunt alone, running the call, spotting and shooting..
Hope your not offended, anyone who doesn't miss or have a runner here and there probably isn't calling any coyotes..
That kind of our long running joke. When someone says they don't do this or that I just tell them we have a lot bigger sample size to differentiate. Some of my buddies said they missed 10 dogs a couple of weekends ago, of course they managed to recover 33 other ones so they weren't too upset about it. No, I have never killed that many in one night. They are without a doubt better than us at this time.
Nothing wrong with a semi-auto, two of my guys shoot them, and even I do occasionally.
I just feel more natural behind a bolt gun, and don't have any trouble with following up.
As a old long range chuck shooter, I love my bolt guns, but they have no place up here in the east, where dogs come from all directions, come in multiples, and you may need quick follow ups, the AR is the rifle that fits the bill.
I am not a sport hunter, I work for farmers only, I hunt alone, running the call, spotting and shooting..
Hope your not offended, anyone who doesn't miss or have a runner here and there probably isn't calling any coyotes..
That kind of our long running joke. When someone says they don't do this or that I just tell them we have a lot bigger sample size to differentiate. Some of my buddies said they missed 10 dogs a couple of weekends ago, of course they managed to recover 33 other ones so they weren't too upset about it. No, I have never killed that many in one night. They are without a doubt better than us at this time.
Nothing wrong with a semi-auto, two of my guys shoot them, and even I do occasionally.
I just feel more natural behind a bolt gun, and don't have any trouble with following up.
I gave up on the 223 last year, I've lost em with 40s, 55s &50s. Switched to 6.8SPC and even marginal hits put them down hard. The average coyote I shot is probably 30#s or better. Love my ARs but I am using a 6.5 creedmoor and a 22-250 now.
Why throw a golfball when you can throw a cannonball? I never saved any fur that ran off!
Why throw a golfball when you can throw a cannonball? I never saved any fur that ran off!
BAYSTATE YOTE
Active member
I hear you CZ, take care!!
@Dave,(6mm 06)great pics Man!! Hope your well bro!!
@Dave,(6mm 06)great pics Man!! Hope your well bro!!
varminter .223
Well-known member
I got to anchor a big old male with the 22 250 12 fv tonight. I stepped it off at 105 and I hit him a bit forward in the neck as he was quartering to me a little. My partner watch in the xd38a thermal and said he never so much as flinched. The 26" heavy barrel carrys a little rougher but you gotta love the speed.