I think you'll be good to go with that 223 barrel. I had a Super 14 in 222 Rem that shot great. Took chucks out as far as 250 yards (missed a lot too, but thats the fun).
You say you have defensive handguns. If one is a 38 Spec try a low powered target load with wadcutters to dispatch coyotes. You don't need a lot of power at point blank range to kill one. I've used wadcutter target loads to hunt small game with. It's a blast.
And I sure don't what problems people have loading the 22 Hornet. Been loading them for a lot of years with no problems. Some of my cases have been fired 10 times and still going strong. I use Lil-Gun powder. They are low preasure loads.
