Reloading .223 for varmints

KDX

KDX

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
97   0   1
What would be a good bullet/load to use for coyotes and foxes without destroying the pelt? I have some Winchester 45gr JHP (Varmints CXP1) that I bought at Walmart but haven't shot anything with them yet. At about $20.00 for a box of 40 I think that reloading might be a good thing to get into.
 
I don't get great results from factory 55 and 62 gr bullets. But put some 52 gr match , and its a whole new game, accuracy is very good. Now this is a factory barrel 1-12 twist job. The 62 gr bullets did show promise, but not like handloads.
My guess is that the factory stuff is a bit fast.
My load is Reloader 15 , 25.5 gr with the match bullets.
Oh , also tried some factory 45 gr BT, No joy, many fliers.
 
Last edited:
Pick up some 52 grain Hornady match bullets. Readily available and reasonably priced. They are hollow points as most match bullets are but have a rather sturdy construction, thus not too frangible. 21.5 or 22 grains of good old IMR 4198 with a 223 will put fox and yotes down like they were hit by lightening out to 300 yards... with minimal pelt damage.
 
Thanks for the info. What are good primers to use? The twist on the barrel is 1-9 if that makes a difference. Approx how many rounds can you get from a pound of powder?
 
I shot 1"(ish) using factory 45gr JHP with my Savage (1:9). That shrank to ~0.5" using various reloads.
A couple of winning loads so far are:
27.7gr H335/ 40gr Nosler Balistic tip
26.0gr H335/ 52gr Sierra HPBT (this one has interest @ 200 yds :D )

Have also seen some promising results using 60gr V-Max and 23gr IMR4064.

I use CCI small rifle primers.

Rounds per pound?
7000/grains in load = Total

(E) :cool:
 
I liked 50-55 grain bullets in the 223, my favorite being the 55 grain Nosler

I used alot of Federal 205M match primers but the Winchester WSR worked good too

most loads in the 223 will give you about 250-275 rounds out of a pound of powder
 
Another bullet to consider is an oldy but a goodie... the Hornady 50 SX. These bullets are really explosive at modest velocities, and usually they won't exit coyotes.
 
KDX said:
What would be a good bullet/load to use for coyotes and foxes without destroying the pelt? I have some Winchester 45gr JHP (Varmints CXP1) that I bought at Walmart but haven't shot anything with them yet. At about $20.00 for a box of 40 I think that reloading might be a good thing to get into.
Click to expand...

Im shooting a .223 w/ a 1 in 9 twist and have never had a better bullet then the Berger 50 gr. match varmint bullet. I paid way too much for the 2 boxes I have to one coyote will pay for one box. They go in and stay in and the animal dies. I used to be a V-Max guy till you see the damge done on a coyote under 100 yards.
Oh you may want to try the Speer 52 gr HP or 50 gr. TNT Ive heard alot of coyote hunters like em :)

Cheers!!
 
I use 60 gr Hornady soft points in my 1-8 twist T3 and AR180B.50 Gr soft points for the 222.They exit,but its not a big deal at all.And they are plenty accurate. GJ
 
I haven't seen anyone mention it yet, but here's my favourite: a 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip.

I know, I know -- conventional wisdom says that bullet is too light for coyotes. All I can say is that after having used it extensively in my .222 and .223 rifles for several years now, I have yet to lose a coyote that's been hit with it (and that's getting to be a lot of coyotes ;) ). And as an added bonus, I very rarely see an exit hole.

In fairness, though, I should point out that almost all of my coyote hunting involves calling them in fairly close -- it's rare for me to be shooting them much past 200 yards. Within that distance, the little 40 grain pills are pure poison. And in the spring, they don't do the gophers any favours either :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom