Originally Posted By: BOWLSEYEI had not shot a coyote with a 223 for a couple of years until this morning. I have been switching up between the 25-06, 22-250 and 243. Kind of been following these threads on the 223 and run off or bullet selections so I thought I would give a try today.
For what its worth and having shot multiple coyotes with 204, 223, 22-250, 243, 25-06 and 270s in different weights and brands of bullets, the 223 seems to have had the spinners and runners before they drop dead.
This morning I shot a big male with a 22" barrelled 223 I just traded for. I had worked up some handloads with 55 Nosler Ballistic tips. It was only a 130 yd shot and he spun into the ground. Tuesday I shot one at 128 yds with a 20" barrelled 243 using 58 grain V-max Superformance in the same body spot. You couldn't see where the 223 went in but the 243 you could put a pack of cigarettes and lighter in the wound. Same 243 and box of ammo produced less devastating damage on body and face shots on other coyotes this season.
My analysis is that the same bullets from the same box on different animals will have different results as in the case of the 243 or 25-06 vmax's. I don't think some varmint bullets always react the same on impact.
As far as the 223 I think the 55 BT were harder and expanded differently than when I use them in my 22-250. The 50 and 55 Vmax's I have used in the 223 in the past was hard to see the entry and no exit showing. Liking to see a coyote drop in its tracks I have thought about trying the 53 or 60 grain Vmax, or a soft point or hollow point or maybe something in a Speer or Sierra that makes a small entry and turns the insides to jello, for a quicker kill. I think there is surely a bullet that would give similar results as the 22-250 at shorter distances and 223 velocity.
All of the points about marksmanship, shot choice, nerves, actual shot impact point and animal toughness are big factors that need to be factored in when the crosshairs are on target and the trigger is being pulled.
I never hear anyone talk about animal movement between the time the trigger is pulled and bullet impact on a stopped coyote. Honestly I think there is animal movement in that time frame that can show up in the point of impact when you inspect the animal. I know my bench target shooting accuracy and point of impact is not the same as shooting in the field so I work to narrow that gap through different ways of practice.
If anyone has a suggestion on a 223 bullet selection for planting a coyote in its tracks out to 250 yards, I am all ears.
I've shot them with 40,45,50,52,53 and 55 grain bullets out of a .223 of several different makes and models. The longest track record I've seen for shot to kill ratio and fur friendliest on top of that is the Sierra Varminter 60gr. HP. My brother has shot that bullet for years and it puts coyotes down hard. I've always had good luck with the Hornady 52gr. BTHP,55gr. Blitzking and 55gr. Softpoint.
For what its worth and having shot multiple coyotes with 204, 223, 22-250, 243, 25-06 and 270s in different weights and brands of bullets, the 223 seems to have had the spinners and runners before they drop dead.
This morning I shot a big male with a 22" barrelled 223 I just traded for. I had worked up some handloads with 55 Nosler Ballistic tips. It was only a 130 yd shot and he spun into the ground. Tuesday I shot one at 128 yds with a 20" barrelled 243 using 58 grain V-max Superformance in the same body spot. You couldn't see where the 223 went in but the 243 you could put a pack of cigarettes and lighter in the wound. Same 243 and box of ammo produced less devastating damage on body and face shots on other coyotes this season.
My analysis is that the same bullets from the same box on different animals will have different results as in the case of the 243 or 25-06 vmax's. I don't think some varmint bullets always react the same on impact.
As far as the 223 I think the 55 BT were harder and expanded differently than when I use them in my 22-250. The 50 and 55 Vmax's I have used in the 223 in the past was hard to see the entry and no exit showing. Liking to see a coyote drop in its tracks I have thought about trying the 53 or 60 grain Vmax, or a soft point or hollow point or maybe something in a Speer or Sierra that makes a small entry and turns the insides to jello, for a quicker kill. I think there is surely a bullet that would give similar results as the 22-250 at shorter distances and 223 velocity.
All of the points about marksmanship, shot choice, nerves, actual shot impact point and animal toughness are big factors that need to be factored in when the crosshairs are on target and the trigger is being pulled.
I never hear anyone talk about animal movement between the time the trigger is pulled and bullet impact on a stopped coyote. Honestly I think there is animal movement in that time frame that can show up in the point of impact when you inspect the animal. I know my bench target shooting accuracy and point of impact is not the same as shooting in the field so I work to narrow that gap through different ways of practice.
If anyone has a suggestion on a 223 bullet selection for planting a coyote in its tracks out to 250 yards, I am all ears.
I've shot them with 40,45,50,52,53 and 55 grain bullets out of a .223 of several different makes and models. The longest track record I've seen for shot to kill ratio and fur friendliest on top of that is the Sierra Varminter 60gr. HP. My brother has shot that bullet for years and it puts coyotes down hard. I've always had good luck with the Hornady 52gr. BTHP,55gr. Blitzking and 55gr. Softpoint.
