type of bullets for coyotes?

D

dbaum

New member
Just starting out coyote hunting.I've got a 5.56 nato(223)-not too concerned about the fur-just killing the yotes dead.Cheap fmj 55gr? 62 gr.hollow points?or other.I've only shot couple different bullets out of gun.I'm gonna sight in newly installed scope in a couple days.What type ammo y'all suggest?main purpose will be coyote and fox.barrel twist is 1:8.Thanks
 
In general coyotes aren't very hard to kill, most of the nit-picking with ammo selection tends to be because of two things.

1. Preservation of the pelt.
OR
2. Long distance accuracy.

The actual killing isn't all that difficult as long as you put the bullet where it needs to go. Find what's most accurate for you and stick with that IMO, coyotes aren't exactly big targets. No recommendation on your particular set up, only coyotes I've killed have been with shotgun or .22lr. Good luck. ;)
 
Also check your states laws on hunting ammo. Mine bans full metal jacket ammo for hunting, as it is more likely to pass through and leave a wounded animal. I use a 62 grain load I handload myself for hunting, but haven't had a chance to try it out. Winchester makes a 45 grain varmint load that claims to put out 3400 FPS, but came in at 3100 FPS in my rifle.
 
Can your 5.56 shoot .223?

If so, i would go for a 40 or 55 grain hornady v-max.

Something intended for varmint. A good hollow point will do the job though.
 
All the ammo labeled for varmints will put them in the dust. An fmj will certainly pass through the little fellows.

With varmint bullets pick any two of the four legs and shoot somewhere between them. Soft points for deer and stuff will kill them, but most likely they will suffer. Art, he can show you a picture of a ruined coyote with a larger caliber lol.
 
Check the hunting laws where you want to hunt: most states (if not all) don't allow fmj. I would stick with soild bullets, hollow points may destroy too much pelt. For right now (until you get more experince) concentrate on accuracy. BTW - what type of gun do you have? Some guns can shoot .223 and 5.56 ammo and some can't.
 
I just use my deer guns. 220F, .30-06, or .50ML. It keeps me in practice with those weapons, and I dont have to go buy another weapon and more ammo
 
I also don't save pelts, so use 50-53 grain varmint bullets, generally under 200 yards.

When the terrain allows longer shots, I use my .243 Win with 80-85 grain hunting bullets because it holds better in the wind and hits hard over 300 yards.
 
Your barrel gives you plenty of options! I do skin the yotes so I prefer a light hollow point out of my old ranch rifle. I believe this last batch is 42 grain; anyway they aren't hard to kill so just about any selection should work with a decent shot. That being said, I have seen one take 9 22lr rounds before falling. The first 8 didn't even slow him down, except for him to take a bite at whatever was stinging him.
 
Yes i can shoot any 223 or 5.56 out of the gun.I'm not overly concerned about the coyotes-but the fox pelts would be worth something.I guessed a fmj was not the way to go-so thinkin a varmit round the way to go? i can shoot cheap stuff at range? what do varmit rounds go for?
 
Out to a couple of hundred yards, most any old bullet will do. 50 to 55 grains soft-points are likely as good as it gets. No flies on hollow-points, though.

Whatever gives decent groups in your rifle...
 
Any expanding type bullet whether HP or SP that your rifle likes will do just fine if you do your part. The only FMJ's I've ever owned or shot were just some cheap stuff I bought with my AR so I could make it go bang and then reload them.
 
This is all less than 100yds


The Winchester 45gr Varmint are good, no external damage ever noted, drop in place.

40gr hornaday varmint express seems like the damage is unpredictable, ranging from no noticeable wound, to explosive damage damage and partial limb removal, still very deadly.

50gr vmax seems about the same as the Winchester.

I now have a box of 35gr it has passed the 80yd full coke can shredding test. Haven't tried on yote yet.

55gr softpoint, keyholes exit

62gr fusion, in one side, out the other, lol

I also have some of the new razorback ammo 64gr, strange stuff 3-sided bullet we will see on this, I'm sceptic.
 
When it comes to 223 I like Sierra 55 gr HP bullet #1390.
I just shot a coyote yesterday evening, a good strong 200 yard shot with the above listed bullet.
Bullet placed in the boiler room, coyote flips over on it's back, kicks it's feet a few times and then expires.

I've used Winchesters 45 gr HP load on coyotes, everyone I shot with that load I had to shoot twice to keep them down. However in all fairness I've never shot a coyote closer then 200 yards with that load and most of the shots were with an AR.

When it comes to my 22-250, I like the Sierra 55 gr Blitzking bullet #1455.
With the shot placed right they drop like a rock.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
I agree with bob, my shots are all less than 100yds. These bullets excell at short range. Terrain limits the distances I can shoot them.
 
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