Coyote Hunting

[Okiehunter]

I'm about to get a .223 and I'll have a summer-weekend job killing coyotes that are tormenting a friend-of-mine's livestock. I don't care about the hide or the meat. My only concern is that I want to kill them quickly and cheaply. What do you all suggest?

 

[Okiehunter]

I'm open to gun and bullet suggestions. Oh, and when i said "quickly" i meant as fast and humane as possible.

 

[sdneil]

try a 55 0r 60 gr V Max in that .223---should do the job nicely with a good hit!!!

 

[Okiehunter]

Should i look into FMJ's, hollow point, or soft lead tips?

 

[stinnett1981]

No. a fmj will just cut a perfect hole strait through them. use vmax, nosler ballistic tips and possible hollow points. u never hunt with fmj.

 

[Okiehunter]

I agree with you there. It sounded kindof dumb while i was typing it.

 

[Okiehunter]

Two Questions:

1.) I know you can't reload spent 22lr cartridges. Can you pull the bullets out and replace them?

2.) Would you all suggest varmint grenades?

 

[Joe C]

If you're looking for factory .223 I've had very good kills with Fiocchi and the 50 v-max load they use. SUPER accurate out of my Winchester M70 Coyote and that bullet is deadly from what I've seen thus far.

 

[Okiehunter]

thanks i've got a pretty good idea of what'll work and i'll probably read some review and buy one or two types.

 

[stinnett1981]

What make and model .223 and what barrel twist rate will you be purchasing? I suggest a 1 in 9 twist. U can shoot light varmint rounds and heavy match grade ammo with it. u can't shoot heavy match grade ammo with a 1 in 12 twist.

 

[Okiehunter]

Thanks

 

[Three44s]

I've been on a mission to reduce the population of coyotes in my area for going on 40 years.

I have hunted them with just about everything (firearm wise) under the sun!

I have air gunned them with shotgun. I have used revolvers to take them.

But by far and away, it's a rifle that gets the nod. And in the begining it was a .25-35 and an '06.

Next came a .250 Savage and I moved quickly to .243 Win.

With the .243 (except for FMJ bullets) I had a weapon that ALWAYS won the arguement with coyotes and I will never be without a .243 as long as I am on the right side of green grass!!!

That said, I have also had runs with 6mm Rem (even a shade better than the .243) and currently sport .204 Ruger, .222 rem, .223 (several), .22-250, .243 (four), .25-06 (three) and many even heavier rifles that would do in a pinch.

Of all of these, I would give a nod to the .204, .22-250 and .243 as the prime calibers. There is nothing wrong with the .222 or the .223 but your bullet choice and placment of it is more crucial. You'll get less DRT's with them, you just have to accept some runners sometimes ......... not run offs but some death runs.

The larger 6mms and the .25's give you DRT with GUSTO ....... but also more recoil.

The .204 gives you a VERY flat trajectory with the solution of a hit evident before you lose your scope picture at surprisingly long ranges!

Everything is a compromise and I appologize for somewhat hijacking your thread .......

Just food for thought

Three 44s

 

[nra-for-life]

I would prefer 22-250 or 243 myself. it is more expensive than .223 but both are more effective choices that will extend your range. you shouldnt be going through tons of ammo just to shoot a few coyotes, so the cost increase should be minimal.

 

[Trapper243]

55 grain nosler ballistic tips is my 224 bullet of choice. However, very tough to beat a .243 and that is what I kill most of them with now. I prefer the heavier ballistic tips. Some of the lighter built bullets will give you problems with shoulder hits.

 

[killahog]

Leave the Varmint Grenades to the yuppies in California, Buy a 243 and load up some 70G Ballistic tips.