223 effective range

[Brodhead]

I've used a 22-250 on coyotes for years but recently picked up a 223 to save on ammo costs. Now that I've used both, I prefer the 22-250.

I find the 223 a bit under powered and not really that much cheaper to shoot(fmj is obviously cheaper but not good for hunting). I don't have much confidence in the 223 past 300 yards, whereas the 22-250 has been deadly out to 500 for me. The extra 3-500 fps that the 22-250 pushes a similar sized bullet to the 223 is worth the slightly higher cost for me.

I've shot 4 coyotes past 300 yards with the 223 so far this year that got away after a long but sparse blood trail.

Part of the issue might be that I'm using lighter bullets(Nosler 40gr ballistic tip). However, I've hed great results with 35gr bullets from the 22-250.

What have you 223 shooters had for success past 300 yards?

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[Smokinyotes]

I’m using 55gr ballistic tips in my 223. Haven’t shot any coyotes past about 300 cause I like to call them into as close as possible. The 22-250 I use 50 gr max. The 50 gr vmax is definitely not fur friendly

[DiabeticKripple]

Lots of guys are switching to the 223 with the 77gr Tipped Matchking bullet for big game hunting. Guys are killing bull elk with them with devastating effect.

[prarie_boy1]

I have a fast twist .223 and shoot a 60 grain Vmax at just over 3000 fps took a coyote last week in a friends pasture at 305Y great blood trail and coyote expired in 20 yards shot was just behind shoulder. I’m not sure I’d want to push the .223 much further on a regular basis but this combo has worked well thus far.

[Maxwell78]

Just dropped one today at 452 yards. Shooting a 69gr scenar from my cz 527

[pikergolf]

69gr Sierra Match King, I have seen it drop coyotes at 500 yds. Just be aware it requires a 1in 8 twist.

[ScottFitter]

I'm using 53gr V Max and have shot coyotes just under 400 yards. I would consider that to be about the extreme outside for anything but gopher sized targets.

[Brodhead]

Sounds like I'm expecting too much from a small light bullet. I haven't reloaded for it yet but I'll try some heavier loads when I do. It's just a 1 in 9 twist barrel though so I might not be able to stabilize a bullet heavier than 60 but there are lots of options in the 50-60gr range.

So far I have yet to recover a coyote shot past 350 yards with these bullets. Great accuracy though, I'm getting roughly .75 moa so I'll just have to keep shots under 350 yards and behind the shoulder.

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[antmai]

62gr hpbt steel match easily stay tight for me, but have not used them on anything other than steel and paper

[Smokinyotes]

What powder are you guys using with the heavier bullets in 223.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

What powder are you guys using with the heavier bullets in 223.

I had really good luck with Benchmark, tried Varget which was supposed to be the schizle but Benchmark was more accurate and not as dirty.

[prarie_boy1]

Originally Posted by Brodhead

Sounds like I'm expecting too much from a small light bullet. I haven't reloaded for it yet but I'll try some heavier loads when I do. It's just a 1 in 9 twist barrel though so I might not be able to stabilize a bullet heavier than 60 but there are lots of options in the 50-60gr range.

So far I have yet to recover a coyote shot past 350 yards with these bullets. Great accuracy though, I'm getting roughly .75 moa so I'll just have to keep shots under 350 yards and behind the shoulder.

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1:9 will stabilize a 69SMK no problem

[KGB]

I went out today first time with my new H&K SL8. Twist 1:7. Was shooting American Eagle factory ammo, FMJ 55 gr. Deadly accurate on paper at 100 meters. At 400 meters, with a cross wind, I was able to hit an 8” gong… Then went after the coyotes but the bastards decided they want nothing to do with us today… 4 stands and not a single dog showed up or even vocalized itself…
I also have a bolt action 22-250 and found that it can reach a bit further…
My 223 is a semi auto, always wanted one for that quick follow up shot and for gophers…

[Smokinyotes]

KGB if your SL8 is deadly accurate with the American Eagle you can imagine what it will do with quality ammo.

[LJalberta]

I shoot the 75 ELDMs in the .223 at the moment. 1-8 twist powered by Varget, but I’ve read XBR 8208 can be the golden ticket.

[Dean2]

223, 26" barrel. 1/7 twist using Benchmark, 3900 FPS with Barnes 36 grain VG. With the Hornady 50 grain SPSX and 52 Grain HPBT with Benchmark or 4895, 3500 fps. The 50 and 52 killed yotes out to 600 yards regularly and 800 on occasion. Basically if you hit them square, they died not far from where they were hit. The Horn SPSX were the best killing bullet of any I tried in the 223. For fun and practice we also used 300 Win Mags that we hunted with on long range yotes. We used them with 147 grain BT FMJs pulled from 7.62 rounds and 168 grain BTHP match bullets. The 223 seemed to kill every bit as good as the 300 mag did to 700 yards but the 300 mags were a lot better in the wind. Coyotes are thin skinned, thin boned and not too hard to kill.

[waldedw]

I have a CZ 527 with 1:9 twist and could never get it to shoot anything less than 50gr, maybe I wasn't persistent enough, it shoots 52gr HPBT match bullets into tiny little bug holes right around 3300 fps with H4895, H335 or benchmark, also shoots the 53gr Vmax very well.
I tried some 75gr but not great probably need 1:8 I'm just starting to play with some 69gr HPBT match burners so will see how they preform.

Personally I have not shot a coyote over 318 yards with the 223 as I usually call in tighter places. The one I did take at 318 yards was hit just behind the shoulder with the 52gr HPBT, it did about 3 merry go round spins and tipped over, no exit hole. In close under 100 yards they will leave an exit hole unlike the 53gr Vmax which I have never had an exit hole with on a coyote.

[Brodhead]

Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like a bullet weight issue and not the rifle so that is encouraging.
These 40gr noslers shoot really well they just don't kill quickly past 350 yards, at least not with shoulder shots.
I'm sure I'll have no trouble finding something heavier that shoots well, the only ammo this rifle doesn't like so far is Herters

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[fordtruckin]

Always figured you needed a heavier bullet in the 223 past 3-400. Met a few DMs and snipers in Iraq that used a built m16a4 (if you could even consider it that due to the customizations). They were taking insurgents out past 500 yards regularly. Used a bullet somewhere around 77gr but I’m not sure exactly which one.

[Big Sky]

Originally Posted by ScottFitter

I'm using 53gr V Max and have shot coyotes just under 400 yards. I would consider that to be about the extreme outside .......

I really like this bullet. You get much better velocity than with the heavy bullets and it has a bc that is excellent for a bullet under 60gr. IMO, estimating wind drift is tricky so a higher bc bullet can make that an easier task.

Lots of info online about stabilizing this bullet. For sure anything 10 or faster will work. 12 seems to be hit and miss.
This is definitely a bullet worth investigating.

[catnthehat]

Long range accuracy wise, 80 grains and better and 1:7 or faster twist rates rule the roost out to 900 meters in the .223.
I know of no top tier Fclass or TR shooters using lighter bullets these days . Most are shooting 88 to 95 grain bullets and twists of 1:6.5, although a 1:7 barrel and 80-88 grain bullet can also be effective .
That combination will hold 15 rounds into 2 minutes or better at 900 with TR class and 1 minute or better for F/Tr class
Cat

[titegroup]

Interesting info Reg, .223.,,, I have a Remington 700/ VLS. 1 in 12 twist, 26" barrel.223. It prefers benchmark or H4895,, pushing 50 Blitzkings at 3380 to 3400 fps. Haven't, shot a coyote yet with it but have shot badgers. And have shot steel only out to 400yds, & must say i was somewhat impressed with it totally penetrating 3/16" mild steel for a polymer tip bullet. so that cemented in my head that it is a bonified 400yd. coyote killer. my preference though for my serious coyote rifle is a .243, using 90gr. Bergers / with H4350/ Lapua brass/ Fed. match primers,,, mostly cause here in southern AB. the wind never quits, and the high BC. heavy bullet is amazing defying wind so much better than my .223, & actually my 22-250/ plus hits them much harder. MY favorite load keeps 3 shots within 3-!/2" ay 500yds. if you dope the wind right & shoot from a steady rest.

[Big Lou]

My own experience with the .223 and 40gr bullets is right on par with what the OP has experienced. Personally, mine is a 1:12 and I cannot play with heavies. Never really had cause to either I suppose. Being a caller, anything that takes care of business out to 300 yards covers most of the bases. In all reality, I would bet that my .22 Hornet would serve over 75% of my rifle needs while calling. Maybe higher yet. The 40gr/223 combo has been very fur friendly with Berger and Blitz Kings but, it runs out of steam almost as fast as it gets out there. I would like to try some 53gr at some point.

I’ve enjoyed a much deeper effective kill radius with a .204 and 40gr bullets than the 223. Not that I need those extra yards all that often but, it certainly does happen.

That being said, I’ve completely fallen in love with the killing capability of the 6mm offerings. They don’t just kill, they crush.

[Brodhead]

Found a good sale on sierra 69gr. Got Cabelas to price match with a bit of convincing.

Time to aerate some coyote ribs!

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[Dick284]

Originally Posted by Brodhead

Found a good sale on sierra 69gr. Got Cabelas to price match with a bit of convincing.

Time to aerate some coyote ribs!

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Hope they shoot well for you.

[fishnguy]

^ Indeed. And if they do and you want more of the same ammo, Tenda has them at $35.99 per box with free shipping on orders over $300 (unless you live in the boonies, then some small shipping fee may apply).

https://www.gotenda.com/product/fede...k-bthp-box-20/

[Brodhead]

Yeah it's a 1:9 twist. And tenda's price was what I got the local Cabela's to price match

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[fishnguy]

Awesome! Had no idea they do that. Who did you have to talk to make that happen?

[Brodhead]

Their policy is that they will price match a local store within 150km. I just found a cabelas within 150km of Tenda(there's one in Barrie Ontario). The cabelas calgary staff really didn't want to match it but i asked nicely and escalated to 2 managers. I think they just matched it to get rid of me. Worth a shot though, just go to customer service with the listing you want matched

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[fishnguy]

Excellent. Good to know. Thanks for the info.