2 questions about the 223 remington for coyote hunting...

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triple tap

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ok im putting together some loads for coyotes this winter, and the bullets that I have on my shelf to load up are some 55gr V-max bullets or 75gr bthp match bullets... I was plugging in numbers to the ballistics calculator and it looks like the are about even in trajectory to 400 yards (55gr is a TINY bit flatter...) but the big difference is the energy, the 75gr has almost twice the energy at 500 yards than the 55gr one... not that I plan to make 500 yard shots all day long but I would like to know that I still have the option if I need to...

is the Hornady 75gr BTHP bullet an ok choice for coyote hunting?

also, I have 2 powders I cant decide between... varget or benchmark... what do you think would be better?

the rifle is a Mossberg MVP varmint with a 24 inch barrel.
 
I have used match bullets in the past in a 22-250 with no problems, not a 75 gr. though. I'd try them myself. Can't help with the powder as i don't reload the 223 at the moment, too much cheap surplus stuff to shoot first.
 
its a 1-9 twist... its right on the edge of if it will work or not... if I can get them going fast enough I think it will stabilize them... they are quite a short bullet for 75 grains... the 75gr a-max is way longer than the regular bthp... im not sure if it will stabilize the amax bullet but im 99% sure it will do the bthp ones no problem...
 
triple tap said:
its a 1-9 twist... its right on the edge of if it will work or not... if I can get them going fast enough I think it will stabilize them... they are quite a short bullet for 75 grains... the 75gr a-max is way longer than the regular bthp... im not sure if it will stabilize the amax bullet but im 99% sure it will do the bthp ones no problem...
Click to expand...

Only one way to find out.

The choice comes down to how much hide damage you want to risk. The match bullet even though it's a hollow point isn't designed to expand so you will need to have better shot placement to ensure a clean kill but it should do less damage to the hide.
After testing to see what kind of groups you can get from the rifle with each bullet you may find you want to try something else. Only way to know is to load some up and see what they do.

Personally I would show a little more patience and let them come in a little closer before taking the shot. You should be able to get them in closer than 500 yards if you have a good spot to sit and a decent call. Even waiting to 300 yards will make a huge difference in your shot placement since there will be very little trajectory compensation compared to a 500 yard shot.

Good luck
 
Before you get too carried away... 500 yds is just under a THIRD of a mile ... if THAT doesn't bother you - set up a coyote sized target at 500 yards and give it a "cold" one shot "go" ... to make it even MORE interesting ... throw in a "bit of a breeze". A .223 - whether 55 or 75 gr was never designed ORIGINALLY as a LONG RANGE rifle caliber. Load up some 55 and 75 grainers and SHOOT THEM! Only one way to know for sure how far a frog will jump ... make 'em jump and MEASURE IT!!!!
 
like I said, I don't plan to shoot them as soon as they get to 500 yards, if I can I will always try to get them in closer... but if the ONLY opportunity to get the bugger is at 500 yards, then I know ill have enough knock down power to get the job done... hopefully...
 
How big are the vitals on a coyote? Maybe six inches? Cold shot, no wind indicators, no sighters, field position. Can be done. But not by 99.98% of us here on CGN!
 
Ahhhh Coyote hunting. I wish my knees were in better shape.

The biggest issue with shooting coyotes isn't the weight of the bullets. Either of the bullets you have will do the job very well. I see you are from Saskatchewan where a calm breeze starts at 15kph. Your biggest issue is going to be getting your bullets into 8-10cm kill zone at 400m while doping the wind drift. That's where the heavier bullet will show its merit.

I finally started to use my Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 with Hornady 95gr V max at 3200fps to alleviate this as much as possible. It isn't perfect but it is a lot better than it was with the 223. No, there aren't any flies on the 223. It's a very capable cartridge.

One other thing that you more than likely are familiar with is parallax. At 300m or more, the parallax if not corrected with AO or a very well set up scope can easily cause a miss or wounding shot. It's always nice to get a clean kill.
 
I load 69 smk and keep 1 mag of them for no wind or very little wind and 1 mag of hand loaded 75 HPBT for other more windy conditions or when an educated yote hangs up across a field. Both are loaded with Varget. I had better close range(inside 250 meters) accuracy with the SMK and better 300-400 meter accuracy with the 75 HPBTs.

You'll do fine with match bullets.
 
You can get 500 yd shots around Langley? Before doing any shooting you have to decide how you will hunt them, and therefore the most probable ranges to expect to shoot them. If you are going to sit and call them this normally means the use of fieldcraft (hunting the wind, personal camo incl a facemask, selection of a concealed position with appropriate background, movement discipline etc) which will give shot opportunities at shorter ranges. In this case the .223 with a 55gr will be good, but avoid light varmint bullets which may break up on initial impact. You most likely aren't going to recover and sell the hides as it isn't cold enough there for yodel pups to develop a prime winter pelt. A FMJ bullet will go right thru and might make a nasty hole on exiting which boogers the hide. A 69gr bullet will hold up better over a distance and in the wind, but again, it depends on the style of hunting. Some folks prefer a PSP type bullet which goes in, but has less chance of coming out. Yotes are a bit like deer; it's more about the hunting than the shooting.

I've had them come right into my lap when properly set up for them and hunting the wind. I've even walked up on a sleeping one when moving into a high wind. They just about turn themselves inside out when they find themselves busted at 10-25 yds. I remember passing on a 'yote with the best pelt I ever saw which showed up about 10 yds in front of my hide when I was hunting whitetails in Manitoba. I said one word which got him to go airborne and do a 180 before streaking for cover. Good thing I let him go because I got a very nice 10 point buck from that position about 10 minutes later.
 
Very much doubt there's enough energy left with any .223 bullet at 400 never mind 500 for a clean kill. Factory ammo 55 grain V-Max, has only about 312 ft-lbs. at 500. 427 at 400. Drops 45.9" at 500 too.
In any case, if you're thinking long shots use the heavier bullet. It's still light on energy(514 ft-lbs. at 500 and 627 at 400) but heavier bullets are better for longer ranges.
As mentioned, if you can't hit 8-10cm(10 cm is about 4"), every time, at 500 yards, don't even think about taking the shot.
 
sunray said:
Very much doubt there's enough energy left with any .223 bullet at 400 never mind 500 for a clean kill. Factory ammo 55 grain V-Max, has only about 312 ft-lbs. at 500. 427 at 400. Drops 45.9" at 500 too.
In any case, if you're thinking long shots use the heavier bullet. It's still light on energy(514 ft-lbs. at 500 and 627 at 400) but heavier bullets are better for longer ranges.
As mentioned, if you can't hit 8-10cm(10 cm is about 4"), every time, at 500 yards, don't even think about taking the shot.
Click to expand...

Again you show your lack of real field experience. How much bullet energy does it take to penetrate halfway through a medium sized dog?

A 20gr .17 HMR bullet has approx. 250 ft/lbs of energy AT THE MUZZLE. I've very cleanly taken coyotes and badgers with this load more times than I can remember and rest assured, these critters were not taken at the muzzle of my rifle. Try out to ranges exceeding 100 yards. So at far less than 250 ft/lbs of kinetic energy.

Kinda blows your theory (that I'm sure you read somewhere...) all to heck.

Go get yourself some hands on hunting experience rather than what you read on some website. You just aren't credible enough to answer posts like these...and you give people who seek answers so much inaccurate information.
 
Shooter ----/ said:
I would choose the Varget for the 75's and Benchmark for the 55's.


But that's just me.
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Not at all three best powder for the 75's, not in my opinion anyways. I've tried both..... Varget is too slow. You can't even fill the case and get near max pressure. Maybe in an AR-15 it is fine if you want to hit your max pressure. I would honestly get done
some H4895, imr4895, h335, blc2, ramshot tac, or my favorite for heavy 223 loads, IMR 8208XBR. I find it to be the best possible powder for 69 to 77 grain in the Remington 223

Benchmark is actually ok for heavier 223 rounds, maybe not the heaviest but 75, it's no problem. I've loaded benchmark for them, just work up the powder charge properly, as you can easily go over pressure with that powder.

Varget is way over rated, especially for 223, it is just too slow. Run it in quickload (I've done it for many many rounds) and it is just too slow to get the max velocity if you want to load to saami max pressure.
 
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triple tap said:
its a 1-9 twist... its right on the edge of if it will work or not... if I can get them going fast enough I think it will stabilize them... they are quite a short bullet for 75 grains... the 75gr a-max is way longer than the regular bthp... im not sure if it will stabilize the amax bullet but im 99% sure it will do the bthp ones no problem...
Click to expand...

It will very likely stabilize it just fine, just run it at highest velocity you can safely run and get accuracy. As the velocity goes up, they will stabilize better.

My Remington 700 is marked as a 9 twist, and measures out at exactly 1 in 9.25". It stabilizes 77 grain Sierra and 75 grain VLD's great (the VLD's are long too...).

People seem to overestimate the stability thing... or maybe I'm just lucky. I do know I'm on the ragged edge of stabilisation, but that's fine. If I went to a significantly different altitude, I would maybe have problems (like if I went ti Vancouver).
 
sunray said:
Very much doubt there's enough energy left with any .223 bullet at 400 never mind 500 for a clean kill. Factory ammo 55 grain V-Max, has only about 312 ft-lbs. at 500. 427 at 400. Drops 45.9" at 500 too.
In any case, if you're thinking long shots use the heavier bullet. It's still light on energy(514 ft-lbs. at 500 and 627 at 400) but heavier bullets are better for longer ranges.
As mentioned, if you can't hit 8-10cm(10 cm is about 4"), every time, at 500 yards, don't even think about taking the shot.
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You've got to stop posting this drivel dude. Guys have used these bullets on coyote many many times.

I assume you think that a 338 RUM is the minimum caliber for deer at over 30 yards?

I know I contradicted many people when I said Varget isn't the best choice, but at least that's true. Yes it works, and can work decently, but it's not the best if you want to get good velocity and not have to compress your charge.
 
triple tap said:
is the Hornady 75gr BTHP bullet an ok choice for coyote hunting?
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The 75 BTHPs will absolutely hammer a coyote... Loaded to 2750 fps or better, it's effectively the same round as the famous Mk 262, which uses the 77 SMK. Not so pelt friendly though, they do a tremendous amount of damage. Great vid by TN on them here -


 
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