What .22 bullet for coyotes?

LCruiser

LCruiser

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I have been receiving all sorts of conflicting advice about what bullets I should be loading in my .223 cases to hunt coyotes.

I don't want to be worrying about blow-ups on a shoulder blade. I'd like to do as little damage to the hides as possible, but a humane kill is my first objective.

There's been a lot of experience turning up on the other coyote threads so I'm hoping to get some suggestions based on actual results.
 
Try using the Hornady 50 gr SPSX bullet, often they won't exit a coyote because they disintegrate inside before exiting. They're a good bullet to use if you want to keep hide damage to a minimum.

Also, on an animal the size of a coyote, I don't think you need to worry about penetration problems on bone with a 223 and any decent varmint bullet. The only ones I wouldn't recommend personally are the FMJ variety.
 
Any 50-55 grain bullet that shoots well in your rifle. I would start experimenting with Nosler Ballistic Tips, but only because I have had lots of success in the past. Several others would work just as well.
 
LCruiser said:
I have been receiving all sorts of conflicting advice about what bullets I should be loading in my .223 cases to hunt coyotes.

I'd like to do as little damage to the hides as possible, but a humane kill is my first objective.
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If indeed a humane kill is your first objective; stay away from FMJ's of any sort. FMJ's will pencil right through the animal, & it will run a good distance before expiring. Also depending on where you are hunting ricochets might be an issue. Stick with engineered frangible varmint bullets such as the Hornady VMAX. The VMAX is frangible & designed to blow apart inside the animal with no exit wound. Cup & core bullets designed for hunting game will give you a humane kill, but you will usually have a large exit hole in the hide making it near useless for sale. Good luck with your coyote hunting!

George
 
Gentlemen,

Thank you for the input. I realize there is a lot of FMJ .223 ammo out there, but I am going to be reloading for this little gun. There is that little bit of extra satisfaction of taking an animal with a cartridge you've put together yourself as a lot of you are obviously aware.

Coyotes are recognized as a game animal in BC, or at least are mentioned in the game regulations, so use of FMJ ammo would be illegal as well as showing a lack of intelligence for those reasons others have posted..

Kyle
 
I've got some Nosler BT's, some Hornady's regular SP and some Bergers I picked up somewhere. I plan to find out what bullet weight my rifle likes best and then check out different makes and types that you experienced hunters have recommended.

Damn, I may have to suffer through a lot of shooting. I think I can handle it though.
 
Don't overlook that Speer 52 grain Flat Base Hollow Point.
They are not quite as good, ballistically as some others, but are usually super accurate, and will often not exit a coyote.
Eagleye.
 
Scott_N said:
Try using the Hornady 50 gr SPSX bullet, often they won't exit a coyote because they disintegrate inside before exiting. They're a good bullet to use if you want to keep hide damage to a minimum.
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the hornady v-max do the same thing. Shot a few with the 53gr. vmax and no exit. was hard to find the entrance as well
 
I picked up a couple boxes of Speer 70 grain double jacketed soft points designed to be used with the .223 for deer?! The guy I got them from said they have been killing deer with them with great results. I bought them for a song and am going to load some up this winter in my .22-250 casings. I wouldn't dream of punching a deer with it but I bet it will be a heck of a bullet for yotes and wolves that won't blow a gaping hole in them and will leave something worth skinning.
 
the spank said:
I picked up a couple boxes of Speer 70 grain double jacketed soft points designed to be used with the .223 for deer?! The guy I got them from said they have been killing deer with them with great results. I bought them for a song and am going to load some up this winter in my .22-250 casings. I wouldn't dream of punching a deer with it but I bet it will be a heck of a bullet for yotes and wolves that won't blow a gaping hole in them and will leave something worth skinning.
Click to expand...

Hope you have a fast twist in your 22-250.

I have a few boxes of 50gr SPSX that I will be trying when my 222 arrives.
 
I would not go heavier than a 40 gr bullet if you want to save the hides and avoid HUGE exit holes. This is from a few avid coyote hunters. They LOVE the 40 gr Sierra BK's. They shoot flatter than any hollow point. I shoot them as well out of my .223 at over 3700 and they are a very accurate bullet out of my rifle.

Ideally if you can shoot them between 100-200 yards you should not have a pass thru with a frontal head on or broadside shot.

I have some 30 gr Bergers that I hope to try out on coyotes. Do not groups as well but good enough for coyotes out to 200 with confidence.

JMO
 
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