40 grn Z-Max ok for Coyote?

[fatelvis]

Hi Guys. I just gained access to a bunch of land to hunt Coyotes, and I don't know much about the needed energy/bullet construction needed to put them down ethically. I have almost 500 40grn Z-max bullets from years ago, and was wondering if they would be a good fit for hunting coyotes in my 18", 1:7 twist 223 Wylde White Oak SPR upper. If they are suitable, can you share any favorite load recipes? Thanks for any help!

 

[17cal Fan]

Hi Guys. I just gained access to a bunch of land to hunt Coyotes, and I don't know much about the needed energy/bullet construction needed to put them down ethically. I have almost 500 40grn Z-max bullets from years ago, and was wondering if they would be a good fit for hunting coyotes in my 18", 1:7 twist 223 Wylde White Oak SPR upper. If they are suitable, can you share any favorite load recipes? Thanks for any help!

40 will do the job. Have you fired these in that rifle? How well did they shoot? Thinking the twist might be fast for that bullet. Congrats on the property access!

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I haven't played with the vmax 40, the Nosler 40 if I recall ends up 2.260 and Nosler has a statement with the factory ammo 40 BT not for AR's(or something like that). So seating depth issues? Couple weeks ago I called a coyote to about 60 feet, shot it broadside in the ribs with a 32 vmax out of my 20p. It ran off, I saw it the next day walking on the neighbors property. Bloody spot behind the shoulder, don't believe the bullet penetrated the ribs.

 

[varmintshooter]

The twist might be to fast. When shooting groundhogs with a 7 twist compared to a 14 twist I see a real difference with 50 vmax. The 7 twist seems to be spinning so fast that the bullet comes apart quick as compared to the 14 twist. It may splash on a coyote which is tougher than a groundhog. Not saying they won't do the job

 

[pilot]

If you know the velocity and rate of spin the bullet was designed for, load to that. You may have to split the difference if there is a big disparity.

 

[fatelvis]

I’m so glad I asked you guys. I never considered the spin rate and it coming apart too quickly. Especially with your experience coyotefurharvester. I think I’m going to use these for plinking, and go to something that will stay together a bit longer. I don’t want to injure or wound any animal.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

You could try some at 3500 out of the muzzle, I think the coal is going to be an issue for the AR. Possibly a feeding issue/eject issue? If I had some I would try some at the range out of my 1/8 twist. I usually run the 50 gr SX for coyote out of my AR. I have thought about the 60 gr vmax. I save fur so that is part of the selection process for me.

 

[17cal Fan]

I’m so glad I asked you guys. I never considered the spin rate and it coming apart too quickly. Especially with your experience coyotefurharvester. I think I’m going to use these for plinking, and go to something that will stay together a bit longer. I don’t want to injure or wound any animal.

No, you have to buy a rifle those bullets will work in. It's in the gun lover creed, that's how you fill up gun safes. She'll understand, maybe.

 

[603Country]

I’ve shot coyotes with the 40 gr Nosler BTs, and not one ran out of his tracks. I’d expect the same thing from the V-Max. In the bolt gun, near max with H335, the bullet should be over 3600 in a 9 twist. The AR has an 8 twist with the same ammo, though I haven’t taken many coyotes with it.

It seems that the little bullet expends all its energy in the coyote. I just shoot em behind the shoulder. Hasn’t failed me yet.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Coyote north half of US, much heavier, denser fur in the winter. The Nosler, different jacket/core structure. The 40 gr vmax not even available in the Hornady factory ammo 223 line.

 

[Phillip Crowe]

I have shot a few coyotes with the Hornady 50gr z max. From a 24" barreled AR. 9 twist. Loaded them up to around 3300fps mv. In the rib cage, they dropped where they stood.

 

[WV Hitman]

I've used 40 gr. VMaxes & 40 gr. BTs in my .223 Contender handgun & .22-250 XPR-100 handgun for many years. Never killed a coyote with them , but have take a few thousand groundhogs, a large badger, and a dozen deer with them (crop damage permits in housing developments). Exits are rare, bullets are very fragile once inside the body cavity, accuracy unreal (3/8" 5 shots last week).
I have noticed that BTs are a little more fragile than VMaxes. Told this to Hornady. Steve said if I didn't like them I should use something different. I only use BTs now.

 

[searcher]

I too

I have shot a few coyotes with the Hornady 50gr z max. From a 24" barreled AR. 9 twist. Loaded them up to around 3300fps mv. In the rib cage, they dropped where they stood.

Hi Guys. I just gained access to a bunch of land to hunt Coyotes, and I don't know much about the needed energy/bullet construction needed to put them down ethically. I have almost 500 40grn Z-max bullets from years ago, and was wondering if they would be a good fit for hunting coyotes in my 18", 1:7 twist 223 Wylde White Oak SPR upper. If they are suitable, can you share any favorite load recipes? Thanks for any help!

I'd try them in your rifle. I've shot a lot of them out of my A/Rs and you might experience some short-stroking unless you pop in a low-power Wolff mainspring. I have shot them out of a 1-7" twist Colt Sporter A/R and they didn't come apart. From my experience in having shot coyotes with them, I often shoot coyotes while they are running, especially when they come in as pairs. A perfectly placed shot will put them down - but there are better bullets for when the shot is not ideal, or beyond 250 yards or so. I'd go with the 50 V-Max or a 50 Varmint Grenade. They put them down with MUCH more authority. Still, since you have them, I'd give them a try. I've shot tons of squirrels with them....

 

[603Country]

I too



I'd try them in your rifle. I've shot a lot of them out of my A/Rs and you might experience some short-stroking unless you pop in a low-power Wolff mainspring. I have shot them out of a 1-7" twist Colt Sporter A/R and they didn't come apart. From my experience in having shot coyotes with them, I often shoot coyotes while they are running, especially when they come in as pairs. A perfectly placed shot will put them down - but there are better bullets for when the shot is not ideal, or beyond 250 yards or so. I'd go with the 50 V-Max or a 50 Varmint Grenade. They put them down with MUCH more authority. Still, since you have them, I'd give them a try. I've shot tons of squirrels with them....

I’ve never had a problem with AR cycling when I use the 40 gr BT reloads. That’s what I let visitors and grandkids shoot, since I have a zillion of them. But, that’s just my rifle.

I’m impressed with your shooting running coyotes. Those critters, when they into high gear, can fly. I have noticed, over the years, that when I see a pair of coyotes, it’s best to shoot the one in back. The one in front, who doesn’t know what just happened, tends to run a ways and then stop to look back.

 

[searcher]

I’ve never had a problem with AR cycling when I use the 40 gr BT reloads. That’s what I let visitors and grandkids shoot, since I have a zillion of them. But, that’s just my rifle.

I’m impressed with your shooting running coyotes. Those critters, when they into high gear, can fly. I have noticed, over the years, that when I see a pair of coyotes, it’s best to shoot the one in back. The one in front, who doesn’t know what just happened, tends to run a ways and then stop to look back.

Those suckers run fast when in high hear and I'd be lying if I said I can usually hit them where I want.....

 

[RabbitSlayer]

My Ruger mpr cycles 40s fine. 40 gr are not ideal. 55 gr or heavier is better and ideally something a little more stout than a vmax. The NBT, TMK, TGK, or plain ole hornady SP are all good options. 300 ft lbs is the minimum for coyote according to Byron south professional predator caller.

 

[AWS]

One of my favorite pelt hunting bullets in my 22-204 is the 40gr NBT, lots of large northern coyotes under its belt. I'm not a big fan of the 40gr V-max for anything larger than PD's when moving them fast but I don't have a lot of experience with them on coyotes.