What 223 round for coyotes

First, I know there are better calibers than 223 for coyotes but I already have the gun(ar) and an assortment of different rounds. All factory loads but I have 50g v-max, 55g sp, and 69g hp. This set up will be used for hunting at night with a thermal scope and shots will be under 300yds more like 200yds. So of the 3 different bullet types I have what would be the best to use? The gun is a 16in 1/8 twist with an Odin works barrel chambered in 223 wylde.

I’ve shot a lot and hunted with a lot of guys who have shot the .50 grain vmax or the 55 grain soft point and had runners in each . Sometimes you can really see them leaking when they run off and they eventually die . Sometimes it bang flops them . I thought the soft points did better in my opinion. The best though is some more speed out a 22-250 or 243 in my opinion.

Good success with the 50 grain V-Max. Boiler room shots kill them dead. If you don’t use a .50 BMG, poor shot placement results in run-offs.

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Brad Dimond wrote:

Good success with the 50 grain V-Max. Boiler room shots kill them dead. If you don’t use a .50 BMG, poor shot placement results in run-offs.

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Shot placement is key for sure – just harder with a thermal unless you spend the big big dollars. 5 K plus .

Brad Dimond wrote:

Good success with the 50 grain V-Max. Boiler room shots kill them dead. If you don’t use a .50 BMG, poor shot placement results in run-offs.

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Unfortunately my 50BMG is in the way back of the safe and too much work to get it out

The thermal was a big investment so just trying to use what I have for now.
My kid’s wrestling coach is a big coyote hunter and uses a 6mm arc. That may be an option in the future as well.

Anyone ever use buckshot with full choke?

69gr is probably getting a little heavy for that twist of barrel

I load 50 grain VMax over a stiff load of IMR3031 and they have laid claim to several yotes.

What does your barrel like. My Wylde doesn’t like the 69 gr but does like the 72. Doesn’t like the 50 gr but does fine on 55 in either caliber.

I was thinking the 69g was heavy as well but I haven’t shot it in this gun. My 18in 1/8 twist 223 wylde shoots it fine so I was considering it as it is a hp bullet. This particular gun will shoot 55g fmj and 50g v-max fine. I have another set up with with a 1/7 twist but that doesn’t like the lighter bullets as much so I put my lvpo from this gun on there and going to use the thermal on this gun. Nice thing with the thermal it has a QD mount and I can save several sight in profiles if I choose to swap guns in the future.

suzuki wrote:

was heavy as well but I haven’t shot it in this gun. My 18in 1/8 twist 223 wylde shoots it fi

It’s been a while but we usually hunt in pairs at night, one with a 12 gauge with #4 or 00 buckshot and on with a rifle. Buckshot works well 40 yards and in where it’s hard to pick up the coyote with a scope even dialed down to 2 1/2 power.

That’s a good idea. Artificial lights are legal in MN with shotguns I just don’t know how that would work if you have a rifle with as well at night. During the day it wouldn’t matter and could maybe carry both if not walking far.

Our night predator hunts are usually on moonlit nights with snow on the ground. That provides sufficient light for shooting.

69 grain might not be too heavy out to 300 yards. It depends on velocity as my 1:9 bolt action Savage with a 24″ barrel shoots them well at 300 and I know a 16″ with 1:9 twist doesn’t do well at that distance, I tried it

I have a Rock River with a 18″ barrel 1-8 twist and it has a real preference for flat base bullets. Groups in the 1/2″-5/8″ flat base, 7/8″-1 1/4″ boattail. Tried a lot of Nosler’s and Hornady’s.
Best groups by far, the Hornady 55 gr sp w/canalure, about $22 for 250, cheapest bullet they make. 60gr Hornady Flat base Shot a few out back of my place with the 55gr fb, no runners yet. FurthestI can shoot off my field is apx 250 yd, but when calling about 150 yd and under.

I shoot the 50s outta a 1/8 twist Rainier barrel on my SPR build and I shoot them outta an M16 build with a 20” 1/7 twist barrel. I also have a bolt action tikka in 223 that loves them too. The other bullet I’ve used is a 75 grain A Max, propelled by RL15.