.224 40gr Berger in a 9 twist 223

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B-78

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It has been damn cold and windy in MB for most of the winter so I have been spending a lot of free time at the reloading bench.
I have a Howa lightning in 223 with a 9 twist barrel that I keep in my truck for coyote control most every day. I have shot around 10 coyotes this winter with a 50gr Hornady SPSX in front of a stiff load of IMR XBR 8208. The load is very accurate and not too bad for pelt damage but I'm still not really happy with it. I have shot a few coyotes over the years with the 40gr Berger in my 222 and I'm very pleased with the results I get. The 222 is a 12 twist although.
I'm just wondering if anyone has tried the 40gr Berger in a 9 twist with any decent results? I need a load that will hold minute of coyote out to at least 350 yds as there is a cross fence in the pasture I check at that range and It seems the coyotes like to stop and look back at me when they get to it.
I have quite a few different powders from IMR and Hodgdon on the reloading bench and a decent supply of the 40gr bullets to try. This is the time of the year that I like to try out different coyote loads as the fur is still fairly heavy but past it's prime. I know that my 204s with 35gr Bergers are the answer to most of my coyote needs but I do like this little Howa and I don't want to carry the 204s around in the truck all day with me.
The weather is looking like it will warm this weekend and I have made a few rounds up with XBR 8208 but wondering if there is something else guys have found that would be worth my trying.
 
I just picked up a box to try as well. But my rifles are 1-12 Howa 1500 and a Weatherby Vangaurd. Got some loaded but like you weather has been ridiculous all winter. Anyway hope these 40s will work. Like you I’m pleased with the 35s in my 204s for coyotes.
Let us know how they work. Thx. I doubt I’ll be put for yotes till next fall.
 
Is the idea that a 40gr won't exit?

If I was loading a 223 for 350 yards, I would prefer something like the 62 gr Hornady SP. It is a boat tail, quite accurate and would handle with wind a whole lot better than the 40.

My only experience with 223 exit holes is on kangaroos. A 55 gr Hornady SP left a fist sized hole. I would hope a 62 gr would leave a nickle sized hole. Or, you could go with a 62 gr FMJ, or a a Hornday 68 or 75 gr match HP.

As for your question about a 40 and 1:9, there is no problem with that. Over stabilizing a good bullet does no harm. But the 40 loses so much velocity and energy by 350 yards I would wonder why a heavier bullet would not be better.
 
The 50gr SPSX has been exiting even at 300+ yds. The exit holes are between a half inch to a inch hole which is not too bad, but I prefer no exit. I just know I have not had an exit on the ones shot with the 222 but I haven't push it past 250yds. I can shoot up to 400 yds in my back yard range so hopefully I will have some idea on how the 40s will act by this weekend.
I have been loading a bunch of varmint cartridges up as I promised a few guys around here a trip to my gopher patch as soon as the snow goes and we are all getting a little impatient. I can't wait to get shooting to sharpen the skills up a bit after winter so this 40gr 223 project should fit right in.
 
I tried Berger 40s in my Howa 1500 .223 for coyotes this year(1:12). I’m calling for the most part these days so most of my shots are under 100 yards. I’m running them over top of 27.2gr of Benchmark(I worked up from 25gr) and using BR-4s to light. Accuracy has been exceptional and they really did put a dramatic smack on the coyotes. Beyond 150 yards I don’t believe I had a pass through but nearly everything broadside inside of that did exit. I was trying to get frontal shots towards the end where I could put the bullet in them the long way which cleaned things up a lot. Nothing was super messy but not what I’d consider tidy either. As Ganderite alluded to, they really seem to fall on their face as their legs get stretched. They’ll still do what you’re asking at the distance you’ve specified as I knocked a few down out that far but after running them for a season, I’ll be exploring other options and most likely going back to the .204 pushing 39 or 40s. I suspect they’d provide a lot of gopher air time in a good patch though. Just my observations. YMMV.
 
Mike112288 said:
I’d opt for the 53 grain V max. Highest b.c of the lighter bullets
Click to expand...

I have a load worked up with the 53gr Vmax and CFE 223 that I have shot a 5 shot 1/8" group at 100yds with my 8 twist Sako 223. It is however seated way to long to fit in the DM so it basically has to act as a single shot.
I have never had good luck with the Vmax as a coyote bullet so I have never tried it in the Howa.
 
I took a Coyote at 170 yards with my 17HMR two days ago :p

I just got a 22-250 last month but it's been too cold to bother trying to find ammo it likes. My 223 bolt action has also sat for a long time, I have a really nice load for my 223 with 36gr Varmint Grenade, anyone have any experience with them? They shoot well out of my 12 twist but I haven't seen what they do to a pelt yet. Would a 50gr V-max be a good projectile for the 14 twist 22-250 (I have a bunch of them)?

As for the 40gr in a 9 twist, don't worry about it, just try it. I tried my bolt gun 36gr load in my NR ACR with an 8 twist and it shot just fine, wasn't as accurate as my bolt action but the load also wasn't developed for the ACR.

I'm pretty new to coyote hunting, just bought myself an electric call so I'm getting excited for it to warm up so I can get out and try to get some more.
 
I have an 8 twist Ruger 223 and have shot 35gr Nosler Lead Free BT, 40gr Vmax, 50gr Vmax with good accuracy. It's a shorter barrel, 16.1", so maybe with more velocity of a longer barrel it could harm the accuracy or integrity of thin jacketed varmint bullets
 
A beautiful day out yesterday so I spent a good amount of time on the shooting bench. Shot 3 different rifles with a few different combos in each and shot 200+ rounds by the time I was finished.
I found that 26.5grs of XBR 8208 behind the 40gr Berger touched off with a WSR primer was giving me the best groups at 100yds. Shot a couple 5/8" 3 shot groups with this combo. I will wait until there is less snow on my range now before I fool around with seating depth a bit and also to try them in my Sako before I actually finalize a load.
I had the Bergers with me when I checked the sheep and cows this morning but there where no coyotes out to try them on and then with the time change I ran out of time before I had to go to town for work. I'll report on what I find as far as hide damage after I shoot a few as now that the cows are calving the coyotes will be hanging around more.
 
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