.223 69 grain MatchKings on coyotes?

[rain164845]

Do those work on coyotes? Are they mushroomers or explosive? They sure are accurate.
Joe

 

[2506]

They blow golf ball size exit holes in groundhogs from my 223 Bushmaster AR.

 

[Preacher]

The only problems I've ever seen with the SMK's were they are not consistent...
Big gapping holes one time, and then the next one looks like it was done with a 1/4 inch drill.........
All I use now are the Bergers, and they seem more consistent......

 

[rain164845]

how about sierra 53gr hp matchkings?
Joe

 

[Preacher]

Same thing, Sierra tells everyone not to use them for hunting, but lots still do...
I don't.. especially when the Hornady A-max will do so much better consistently..

 

[BradY]

Use the 69gr nosler Custom competition bullets, I have done some testing and they break up nicely and a good chunk of lead also remains in tact for penetration. I think for coyotes they will be good as they are a bit thicker skinned and larger than foxes. I have used them on foxes and unlike the 55gr ballistic tips which explode and dont exit from my 10 twist 22 BRX, the 69gr match bullets exit and I have had some run offs at longer ranges where I didnt get placement right. The ballistic tips just bowl them over but the noslers tear huge holes, usually knock the foxes over and they sometimes crawl away. Im building a 20 practical for the foxes for this reason.

 

[rain164845]

Any luck with the Sierra 65 gamekings? I am hoping they would hold together enough for my daughter to use on deer.
Joe

 

[k80skeet]

For deer size you should use Barns XXX 63gr or 70gr XXX. If you have to use a 223 for deer hunting. 63&65gr Sierra is a varmint bullet.

 

[BradY]

Im pretty sure they rate the gameking bullets for actual game not varmints.

If you want to shoot deer also consider the 60gr partition.

 

[rain164845]

The barnes and partitions were first choice, but I have had excellent luck with gamekings on deer out of a .243. I asked because I thought they were rated for deer. If so, it would be an excellently priced, probably very accurate round for varmints and deer.
Thanks,
Joe

 

[Louisiana Shooter]

Killed my last deer of the year using the 65grn SGK. Worked very well, expansion was excellent complete pass through. Yearling...maybe 80lbs??? Exit wound was around 1 1/2'. Entered just above the heart exited straight through. Range was around 85 yards. Meat was a little blood shot but acceptable. Used from a 22x47 Lapua AI. Speed was in the neighborhood of 3500fps. Ran 40 yards and piled up. Good blood trail. Yes, I would use them again and wouldn't shy away from a shoulder shot either.

 

[btrapr]

Not sure what twist your shooting, but you might find that the longer bullets like a 69 need a faster twist to stabilize. Unlike the bullet I posted which is a flat base and will shoot in the slower twist barrels.

Deer-My experience and I am in no way endorsing the 223 for deer.
The Hornady 60gr HP interlock works great on deer out to about 100 yds with my experience...good shot placement, but I have shot through the top of the shoulder around 50 yds. and the animal went down. I did not always have an exit wound but when the bullet losses all of its energy inside who needs one. With this bullet in a 22-250 I have hammered out to around 150-160 yds and not lost an animal! This bullet has a flat base so it will stabilize is most twists like a 1-12' 223 Remington! or in a 1-14' twist 22-250 because they are faster down the tube.

I used to load 223's with this bullet and AA2460 for my neighbor who always carried a single shot 223 bull NEF when he went into the woods as the shots were all under 100yds. He swore by these reloads but he no longer hunts. He would carry a 30-06 if he was out in the open.