Coyote hunting - 243 or 223

I agree. .223 is really only 150 yards for bang flops. You really need high speed well above that 3000fps threshold for bang flops.
 
I just would like to mention that unless you live in the west and even there, I'd hazard a guess and say 95% of coyote shooting and killing is done at 150yrds or less. I shoot a .243 cause I like the dual purpose but .223 is more than enough in the majority of real hunting situations. I'd also mention hitting a moving coyote at 150yrd is not all that easy even for experienced hunters/riflemen. If you don't believe me ask some or better yet hunt with a few.....they seem to be humbled often enough.

Flame suit on!
 
Camp Cook said:
I'm curious scott what is your definition of experienced hunter/rifleman?

I've been shooting coyotes for almost 40 years now does that qualify me as an experienced hunter/rifleman?

and I say the 223 is only a 150 yard bang/flop coyote round but that couldn't be from experience could it?
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Coyote hunting is a little different out here on the praries than in the big hills to the west. On an average year I shoot between 100 and 200 coyotes. So I have seen a few die in the last 25 or so years I have been doing it. Most of mine are shot now with either my 17 rem or 20 tac. Only time the 223 or 22-250 come out is if the wind is up. For a couple years I was running a 223 after moving and not having my reloading room set up so I was looking to use something reasonably priced in the ammo department and that I could grab from the local co-op. 223 kills them just fine out a lot farther than 150 yards. Heck they don't usually do their little stop to look back move till about 400 yards around here. Learn your leads and the drops and it works just fine.

Now for the 223 vs 243 debate I like smaller. Less recoil, less noise and just easier to shoot. The more time behind the trigger you get the better off you are. There are dozens of good loads on the shelf at the local crappy tire or lgs if you are burning pre rolled and so many options on good bullets designed for exactly what you want the gun to do if you roll your own. Brass for the 223 is everywhere and cheap as hell. The only thing the 243 really has going for it is that it meets the minimum for some provinces for big game.
 
Who's saying a 223 can't kill a coyote at 300 yards?

Not me = I'm saying the odds are you won't DRT a coyote beyond 150 yards when using a a 223 loaded with whatever bullet your heart desires unless you spine it its running far further than I like.

Last Christmas I shot a coyote at 180 yards perfect lung shot with my XCR-L in 223 loaded with 60gr V-Max dropped it DRT I was sitting there thinking shoot it again you know they never die that quick = just as I was squeezing the trigger to pop it again the bastard jumped up at full speed good thing I had a semi-auto XCR-l or it would have gotten away FYI I have never that happen with my 22-250 out to 300 yards.

The last 2 coyotes I shot this fall both were DRT's first was at appr 35 yards as it was running at me hit it with a .375 cal 235gr Claw bonded bullet @ 2050fps from my 14" barreled T/C Contender carbine in 375JDJ the other was at 50 yards I was shooting my 300RUM loaded with 200gr Accubonds @ 3200fps.

WOW tb that's a lot of coyotes you shoot got me beat by a few... :)
 
tbdtp said:
Coyote hunting is a little different out here on the praries than in the big hills to the west. On an average year I shoot between 100 and 200 coyotes. So I have seen a few die in the last 25 or so years I have been doing it. Most of mine are shot now with either my 17 rem or 20 tac. Only time the 223 or 22-250 come out is if the wind is up. For a couple years I was running a 223 after moving and not having my reloading room set up so I was looking to use something reasonably priced in the ammo department and that I could grab from the local co-op. 223 kills them just fine out a lot farther than 150 yards. Heck they don't usually do their little stop to look back move till about 400 yards around here. Learn your leads and the drops and it works just fine.

Now for the 223 vs 243 debate I like smaller. Less recoil, less noise and just easier to shoot. The more time behind the trigger you get the better off you are. There are dozens of good loads on the shelf at the local crappy tire or lgs if you are burning pre rolled and so many options on good bullets designed for exactly what you want the gun to do if you roll your own. Brass for the 223 is everywhere and cheap as hell. The only thing the 243 really has going for it is that it meets the minimum for some provinces for big game.
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Very good post......With this much experience, this man knows what he is talking about.......Certainly gives me confidence to use my new to me .222 Remington Magnum for its first coyote season this winter. It should have similar performance to the .223.
 
cath8r said:
Having owned both my nod goes to .22-250. Oops... .243 vs. .223. So .243 then. More speed equals more hydrostatic shock equals more drt. Definitely less spinners and runners once you cross the 3500 fps threshold. (Real 3500 fps NOT what is says on the box)
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22-250 is an awesome round!... always was and still is.
 
223 is the way to go between the 2....I would consider the 204 as well with 40 grain blitzings or 45 grainers! Will bury the 223 ballistics 40 and 45 grain pills.
 
tbdtp said:
Coyote hunting is a little different out here on the praries than in the big hills to the west. On an average year I shoot between 100 and 200 coyotes. So I have seen a few die in the last 25 or so years I have been doing it. Most of mine are shot now with either my 17 rem or 20 tac. Only time the 223 or 22-250 come out is if the wind is up. For a couple years I was running a 223 after moving and not having my reloading room set up so I was looking to use something reasonably priced in the ammo department and that I could grab from the local co-op. 223 kills them just fine out a lot farther than 150 yards. Heck they don't usually do their little stop to look back move till about 400 yards around here. Learn your leads and the drops and it works just fine.

Now for the 223 vs 243 debate I like smaller. Less recoil, less noise and just easier to shoot. The more time behind the trigger you get the better off you are. There are dozens of good loads on the shelf at the local crappy tire or lgs if you are burning pre rolled and so many options on good bullets designed for exactly what you want the gun to do if you roll your own. Brass for the 223 is everywhere and cheap as hell. The only thing the 243 really has going for it is that it meets the minimum for some provinces for big game.
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that's a lot of fur! Wish I had that many stacking up !
 
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