Strange Article - Am Hunter

[K22]

Have any of you read the article entitled "Black Rifles and Brown Dogs" in the January 2013 issue of the American Hunter?

Far be it from me to question an "expert" but I find Mr. Towsley's remarks about the 223 hard to understand! I quote: "I have had more coyotes that were hit with a 223 run off than with any other cartridge. Why? With small bullets velocity is very important to instantaneous kills on coyotes. The 223 is right on the ragged edge of "not enough" to start with and with the shorter barrels favored on AR's the velocity drops even more."

I've been shooting the 223 for over 30 years and while I don't consider myself an expert coyote hunter I've never had any trouble dropping them with a 50 grain Nosler or V Max out of a 20" barrel Rem Model 7. Shots were all in the 75 to 150 yard range.

I've taken far more foxes than coyotes and never had a problem with them either using the 223.

What are is your experiences using the 223 on coyotes?

 

[people]

With any round used as long as you stick with in its and your capabilities you will hammer them almost every time.

 

[BigDMT]

Sounds like Mr. Towsley needs to learn how to shoot so he can hit the kill zone

Coyotes can't get away from a 17 HMR if the shot is placed correctly and within reasonable distances of it's capability.

Shot a good size Red Fox with a 17HMR at 125 yards once. Placed it right between the eyes, and with one shot, he was dead before he hit the ground No way is a 223 too light for coyotes, but a 22-250 is definitely better for long range work on them.

 

[bozo699]

Sounds like Mr. Towsley needs to learn how to shoot so he can hit the kill zone

Coyotes can't get away from a 17 HMR if the shot is placed correctly and within reasonable distances of it's capability.

Shot a good size Red Fox with a 17HMR at 125 yards once. Placed it right between the eyes, and with one shot, he was dead before he hit the ground No way is a 223 too light for coyotes, but a 22-250 is definitely better for long range work on them.

I couldn't agree more Brandon.
Wayne.

 

[kjcpoint]

Try a sierra spitzer or hornday spire point. 223 works great on yotes.
These bullets penetrate deeper and flat out kill better.

Kyle

 

[areaone]

I used a 222 for years with no problem to 200 yds. hit right dead right there, used 50 gr speer. Maybe Towsley is saving a few $$ using FMJ.

 

[boltfluter]

Sounds like Mr Townsley needs to stop shooting from the type writer and actually leave the office. I have been using the .223 w/ 40 gr. V-max for years and have never lost a coyote with it to date. It's called shot placement. So many of these "experts" have no clue about things in the real world. IMHO. ;D

Regards,
Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[mattri]

Did the article say which bullet he was using? If it was an fmj that may explain it to some extent.

 

[mshelton]

Did the article say which bullet he was using? If it was an fmj that may explain it to some extent.

Could be right with that, he could have just grabbed a big green can of trigger yanker stuff from a gun show.

 

[Scotsman1]

Agreed, I too am baffled by this brazen statement. In the last 8 years, my brother and I have "dispatched" 19 (calf killers) with 223's. both using either Remy or Sako bolt guns. We either shoot 69 SMK or 70 V's. Never had a yote go more than 10 feet. One yelp and those type of pills destroy the vitals.

He is probably shooting SS109 or XM193 FMJ.

Regardless of the type of rifle in this venue, it will matter not, if an author is not a shooter.
Either way, just keep shooting those vermin. I hate em' they all must die!

 

[Larryh128]

More than likely he ran into a bullet that was designed for more velocity. I normally shoot 55 gr Ballistic Tips out of my RRA and they are very accurate. I've shot a few deer with them and they performed extremely well. However, the 1st time that I used it on coyotes, I put SEVERAL thru the center of a running big dog and was knocking him sideways every shot. I finally pulled out in front another foot & hit him thru the chest resulting in a dead dog. Why center hits? Less pelt damage on expanding bullets. But the bullet didn't have enough speed to expand properly so it was a fmj. Conversely, out of my 22-250 AI, they are grenades. 600 FPS is a big deal & that is what I think he ran into. He simply needs to switch to a bullet that will open up at lower velocity such as a V-max. He is a shooter & knows his stuff but apparently he got some ammo that wasn't up to the task.

 

[CaptainMal]

Thanks for reminding me about that article. When I read it I was thinking that since, we stopped killing the Japs, Germans and NorthKoreans/Chinese with 30's, we been doing a fine job with the 223's on the Vietnamese/Chinese, Taliban and other terrorists. 'Yotes are not tougher than them.

At my hunting camp in Georgia there are many killed with all kinds of calibers. Most are "deer" rifles but the 22lr. and my little 17HMR also work. Sure they might make noise and run around in a circle some. That's adds to the entertainment which ends when they lay right there forever. Nuts to those nasty, vile fawn killers. Nuts to them with anything you can shoot.

The 223 works.

 

[bozo699]

Thanks for reminding me about that article. When I read it I was thinking that since, we stopped killing the Japs, Germans and NorthKoreans/Chinese with 30's, we been doing a fine job with the 223's on the Vietnamese/Chinese, Taliban and other terrorists. 'Yotes are not tougher than them.

At my hunting camp in Georgia there are many killed with all kinds of calibers. Most are "deer" rifles but the 22lr. and my little 17HMR also work. Sure they might make noise and run around in a circle some. That's adds to the entertainment which ends when they lay right there forever. Nuts to those nasty, vile fawn killers. Nuts to them with anything you can shoot.

The 223 works.

spot on!

 

[apakesha]

I have used the 223 on coyotes and it works very good if you use hollow point or I have also used the varmint grenade. Works very good. I haven't have much luck with 223 FMJ. Bullet likes to go right through them intact.
My preference for coyotes and the way I shoot them is with my Winchester 9417 in 17 HMR with the plastic tips. Even when hit at close range the bullet will not travel through them. When I skin them the bullet fragments are visible opposite the entrance hole just under the skin. Looks like pepper.
Mike

 

[mshelton]

I use a 308 with the 110 varmiters, but the again I don't care about hides, just want a quick humane kill.

 

[nosualc]

Sure they might make noise and run around in a circle some. That's adds to the entertainment which ends when they lay right there forever.

Enjoying an animal's suffering aint cool in my book. Maybe you don't like them, but coyotes just do what god made them to do. They deserve a quick humane death as much as any creature.

Sorry for the thread hijack, K22. A .223 is more than enough for a coyote given proper placement and bullets. The author is a knucklehead.

-nosualc

 

[bozo699]

Sure they might make noise and run around in a circle some. That's adds to the entertainment which ends when they lay right there forever.

Enjoying an animal's suffering aint cool in my book. Maybe you don't like them, but coyotes just do what god made them to do. They deserve a quick humane death as much as any creature.

Sorry for the thread hijack, K22. A .223 is more than enough for a coyote given proper placement and bullets. The author is a knucklehead.

-nosualc

Normally I would agree with you but wolves and coyotes don't count as far as I am concerned, have you ever had to club a cow to death with a rock because you had nothing else with you and the reason you had to club her to death was because while she was giving birth coyotes ate the calf as it was coming out and then ate on into her but not killing her just eat on her while she was down giving birth and once full just leave,.....Well I have on more then one occasion, I now never go anywhere with out a gun but I care not where I hit them at!! deer/elk and other animals yes but not a coyote or wolf!!!
Wayne.

 

[JRS]

Would this discussion about Mr. Towsley happen to be Bryce Towsley?

 

[bozo699]

Would this discussion about Mr. Towsley happen to be Bryce Towsley?

I just looked it up but couldn't find anything on Bryse's site about this article, I am now curious also if it was him.
Wayne.

 

[JRS]

I ask because Gary Reeder and I hunted with Bryce in Africa a couple of times. This guy has probably hunted and killed more animals on every corner on earth than most of us could ever wish to do in a lifetime. If it is in fact Bryce, he must be losing it ???