Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Best coyote bullet in 223

I've tried several different bullets in my 223 and seem to get a lot of runners. Sometimes, I don't find them at all, other times it's a 50 yard run. This is on lung shots mostly at 200 yards or less. I realize lung shot animals usually run but I'd like to reduce it, if possible. So far, I've used 50 and 55 Vmax, Sierra 55 Varminter, and lately, the Sierra 55 Gameking BTHP. With all these, sometimes they exit, sometimes not. I don't care about pelt damage, just want to put them down. Do I need a 243?

Last coyote I shot with a .223 was with the old 52 grain Speer hollow point.. Not the match, just the old hollow point.. He crashed right there.. I have shot dozens of coyotes with the 50 grain Vmax, and 55 grain Sierra 55 gr. HPBT.. BUT they were mostly used in a .22-250, 220 Swift, or .22-250 AI.. They are deadly in those calibers..
I am not as hot on the .223 as a coyote rifle as most folks are, I prefer the larger .22's.. But I think it was Prairie Goat mentioned he found the 24's and 25's even better for dropping coyotes, this is what I am feeling right now..
Last coyote I shot a few wks ago was running away, a 100 grain from my .25-06 smacked him a bit too far back.. I think a hit there with a .22 would have knocked him down, but in an instant, he would have made it to the willows 30 yards away.. As it was, he was disabled and that permitted a second round to stop him for good..

"Do I need a 243?"..... The real question is "Do I WANT a 243?"

move your shot placement forward, on broadside shots follow the front leg up, and I think your runners will turn in to droppers.

It don't take a cannon to drop a coyote. Many of us kill a few truck loads each year with puny little .17 calibers. It's all about shot placement, of course a good bullet helps, but without shot placement, a good bullet doesn't make up for sloppy shooting.

When I was running a .223 a few years ago, I had good performance with 50 gr. Nosler BT's.

I would prefer to make the 223 work with the right bullet. When I got rid of my 243 several years ago, it was before coyotes became common here and I'd decided to use something larger on deer. I don't really want another one but that may be the answer.

Try a 40 grain nosler ballistic tip behind the shoulder. They typically don't take a step

This has been my experience as well.

The 40 grain Ballistic Tip has been my go to coyote bullet for a few years now. Crumples 'em up in a most arresting fashion.

Try the 40 gr. Sierra HP. DRT!!!

Sounds like you need a 243.

If staying with the 223, aim point of shoulder and use bullets like the 55 NBT.

I have been tinkering for years trying to find the best bullet for coyotes with a 223, my 2 favorites are the 60gr V-Max (for some reason more devastating than the 50 & 55 V-Max) and the 40gr Blitzking

I'm also a fan of the 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. I bought a sack of em for use in the front yard (pasture, 150 yards in all directions) for skunks and armadillos (the wife hates armadillos since they dig in her flower beds). So, one day there's this big coyote threatening the wife's beloved cat. I shot him with that 40 grainer and he hit the ground so fast that I though maybe I missed (like that could happen....:-)). Not long after that, another coyote showed up and same thing with her. Amazing bullet performance in such a little pill. Got to wonder what that bullet in the 220 Swift would do to a coyote. Probably would be screaming along at 4200 or so. Soon as my scope is back from Leupold (TMR reticle being inserted) I guess I'll have to try it out.

For regular coyote hunting, I use my 260 with 100 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips. On the back of the place I see as many pigs as I do coyotes, and the 22 caliber bullets don't work as well on pigs of any size.

"When I was running a .223 a few years ago, I had good performance with 50 gr. Nosler BT's."

I'd echo this comment from TRnCO. When I did a lot of calling, the 50 gr NBT in 223 or the 55gr NBT IN 22-250 were my go to choices. Never had many runners with either, and pelt damage was not bad.

603 I have shot the 40 grain noslers out of a swift on coyotes and you get the same reaction. They just get there quicker

I really like the win white box 45 grn jhp they are very accurate in my rifle and seem like an m 80 went off inside the coyote they are supposed to do 3600 fps out of my 24" barell

I agree on the slightly forward shoulder/bone shot. They crumple.

I agree the best bullet Ive found is the NBT. Ive been shooting 55gr for a long time in my 223, they work. As others have said aim a little forward on the shoulder and your runners will stop.

My pick was the 40 BT's at 4200 out of a 22 Dasher for quite a while. Hammered them hard and easy on fur.

Should be a great bullet at 223 speeds as well.

Last coyote I shot(at), I did hold on the shoulder and it immediately launched at warp speed. It went out of sight behind a pond dam within about 30'. Solid rest, off bipod, I called a good hit. Found nothing, no hair, blood or body. It had just rained so made it harder to find evidence. Bullet was the Sierra 55 BTHP. Shot one in almost the exact same spot a few weeks ago with a behind the shoulder hold, same bullet. Found it dead about 50 yards away with an exit hole.

Anybody used the Winchester 55 PP? I've got a bunch of them.

Nosler BT's must be the ticket. Like N8Will I have used the 55 grain NBT and they work for me in a 223. Pigs, deer and yotes. Not a one has shucked this ticket yet!

Looks like I'll have to try the Nosler 55BT. Has anyone used the Vmax for comparison. I have some experience with them, some good some not so good. Inconsistent exits.