Best fur friendly bullet for 223

[Matt_3479]

I’m trying to get my back up rifles set up better this year for fur friendly loads on coyotes. My main rig is going to be running 20 tac and 35gr bergers this year. The other two rifles are both 223’s, as a back up or if I take a buddy out and a truck beater rifle.

What do you suggest?

[Johnly]

If you happen to have a stash of old Remington PLHP bullets, they would be my first choice as they don't exit.

[Bill K]

Originally Posted by Matt_3479

I’m trying to get my back up rifles set up better this year for fur friendly loads on coyotes. My main rig is going to be running 20 tac and 35gr bergers this year. The other two rifles are both 223’s, as a back up or if I take a buddy out and a truck beater rifle.

What do you suggest?

Use something simular to your Berger, but in 224 caliber.

[borkon]

Distance/speed/placement all factor in.
Shot PILES of coyotes and overall, Sierra 55 grain #1365 bullets just plain out get it done.

[georgeld]

Matt:

I used to do a lot of coyote calling for fun and fur.
This is actual coyote experience you can count on.

I found a 55gr would blow big exit holes. I only used a .223.
After rebarreling the .222mag when the barrel gave out.

Once I started using 40 gr V'max I never had any exit at all---EVER!
They were very accurate in my Sako 14:1.
They died quick, usually down and kicking before I got the scope
back on them.

About all it seemed to take was a solid body hit. Insides blown to
a pulpy mess and just a tiny entrance hole. That would leak blood on the
fur if placed down, or so it could leak. Lay them with the entrance hole up
and that would be no problem.

Another nice part was the body wasn't blown up and messy to skin either.

Learn how to bark, when they're coming in on the run under 100yards
and you're on them, bark and they'll stop so quick it'll amaze you.
Then you have about FIVE seconds to get the shot off before they either
come on in and you can't stop them except with a bullet, or they'll swap
ends and be gone back the way they came from.
When doubles came in, and one was shot. The other takes off.
Learn to make a yelping bark pretty loud and many times the mate will stop
to look back giving you a quick clean shot. We got quite a few doubles that way.

Good luck and have fun.

[Matt_3479]

Originally Posted by georgeld

Matt:

I used to do a lot of coyote calling for fun and fur.
This is actual coyote experience you can count on.

I found a 55gr would blow big exit holes. I only used a .223.
After rebarreling the .222mag when the barrel gave out.

Once I started using 40 gr V'max I never had any exit at all---EVER!
They were very accurate in my Sako 14:1.
They died quick, usually down and kicking before I got the scope
back on them.

About all it seemed to take was a solid body hit. Insides blown to
a pulpy mess and just a tiny entrance hole. That would leak blood on the
fur if placed down, or so it could leak. Lay them with the entrance hole up
and that would be no problem.

Another nice part was the body wasn't blown up and messy to skin either.

Learn how to bark, when they're coming in on the run under 100yards
and you're on them, bark and they'll stop so quick it'll amaze you.
Then you have about FIVE seconds to get the shot off before they either
come on in and you can't stop them except with a bullet, or they'll swap
ends and be gone back the way they came from.
When doubles came in, and one was shot. The other takes off.
Learn to make a yelping bark pretty loud and many times the mate will stop
to look back giving you a quick clean shot. We got quite a few doubles that way.

Good luck and have fun.

Thank you! This is the second time I’ve heard of the 40gr vmax being an awesome fur friendly bullet! I’ll start here then. I have a killer load for the 40gr blitzkings so hopefully I can start at that point and just fine tune.

Shots as everyone knows while coyote hunting can be unpredictable but normally ranges are 50-350 yards.

[borkon]

Keep in mind. Although a vmax may be good on called in coyotes, they ain't worth a crap on one shot going away (truck gun)

[Dean2]

My favourite fur bullet for the 223 and 221 FB is the Hornady 50 grain SPSX (Spire Point Super Explosive). No exit wounds, total devastation inside all the way to 400 yards. Max velocity is about 36000 fps or the jackets start to separate. If you want to run them faster use the 55 SPSX, it was designed for the 22-250 and 220 Swift. Much cheaper than the plastic tipped bullets.

The Blitzking work as good or better than the Vmax. Also, the 36 grain Barnes Varmint Grenade if your rifle will shoot them well. Issue with the lighter bullets is wind and speed at longer distances.

[Bill K]

Hey Dean, would any of them hold together at 36000 ? I know, I know, just funning.

[Matt_3479]

Originally Posted by borkon

Keep in mind. Although a vmax may be good on called in coyotes, they ain't worth a crap on one shot going away (truck gun)

Why do you say that?