.223 Coyote Load?

[azsixshooter]

I had previously worked up a decent load with 55 grain Nosler Varmint Ballistic Tips and 25 gr of Varget for hunting coyotes out to 250 yds. I still have a lot of Varget but I either need to pickup more of the Noslers or try something else. I was going to tinker around with seating depths to see if I could get better accuracy from that load so I thought I would reach out and see if anyone has any favorite loads for .223 and Varget for use on coyotes. I have a 16" barrel with a 1:7" twist chambered for 5.56 NATO. I don't hunt coyotes too much, but I like to get after them sometimes in the winter.

Thanks for any recommendations and have a blessed day,

Steve

 

[xphunter]

All of my 223/5.56 loading is for 75 grains to 77 grains.
I have a Varget load for the 77 grain TMK, if you want it

 

[Vince]

I’ve always preferred the 45-70 for coyotes.

Vince

 

[azsixshooter]

All of my 223/5.56 loading is for 75 grains to 77 grains.
I have a Varget load for the 77 grain TMK, if you want it

Sure, I would appreciate it! I was thinking a heavier bullet, like the 60 grain Nosler BT Varmint would shoot really well from my 1:7" twist barrel. When I was testing various factory match ammo in this rifle it liked the Black Hills 77 grain Match Hollow Point ammo the best out of what I tried. So I would definitely be interested in your pet load so I have an idea of what to work up towards.

 

[xphunter]

Lapua brass, 7.5 Rem primer, 24.7 grains of Varget, 77 grain TMK , 2.354 OAL
15” barrel, 7T, 2675 FPS

 

[PJGunner]

I haven't shot coyotes in a long time but when I used the .223, it was bulk Winchester 55 gr.Power Points over 25.0 gr. W748 IIRC. Not a top speed load as I recall but very accurate in a Kimber I own. I once tried to old method of testing for accuracy which was fire a ten shot group. The first nine could be covered by a dime but shot number ten was a flier that opened the group to the size of a nickel. I've never figured out if it was the load, a change in the wind of the jerk behind the trigger but there it was. I always tried calling coyotes in as close as possible so most shots were two hundred yards or less and the load worked just fine.
Paul B.

 

[TexasLife]

62-75gr would work the average on distance as lighter might not be as good when windy or past 300 yards on a 16" barrel.

 

[azsixshooter]

View attachment 26883
Lapua brass, 7.5 Rem primer, 24.7 grains of Varget, 77 grain TMK , 2.354 OAL
15” barrel, 7T, 2675 FPS

Thanks Ernie! I even have the Remington 7.5 primers on-hand so all I need are the bullets. Should be quite close to the MK262 rounds (I think that's what they called them). That's a cool pistol, it reminds me of a certain golf course scene in Matt Bracken's book "Foreign Enemies and Traitors". Awesome book, my favorite by far in that series!

 

[DrMike]

View attachment 26883
Lapua brass, 7.5 Rem primer, 24.7 grains of Varget, 77 grain TMK , 2.354 OAL
15” barrel, 7T, 2675 FPS

That's an awesome round! It plumb tore the head off that poor yodel dog!

 

[xphunter]

Thanks Ernie! I even have the Remington 7.5 primers on-hand so all I need are the bullets. Should be quite close to the MK262 rounds (I think that's what they called them). That's a cool pistol, it reminds me of a certain golf course scene in Matt Bracken's book "Foreign Enemies and Traitors". Awesome book, my favorite by far in that series!

You are most welcome.
We have hit steel with this 15" pistol past 1200 yards (We had great conditions that day), but have shot steel to 1K multiple times.
I hit one prairie dog past 1K with it, but another dog drug it down the hole, so I didn't have tangible proof. Glenn watched it happen, as he was spotting for me that day.
FWIW there is a huge thread on the 77 grain TMK on Rockslide for use one big game.
I have not used it for big game yet.