.223 FMJ Sufficient for Coyotes?
- Thread starter Ben86
- Start date
- Status
ole farmerbuck
Member
I wouldnt use a FMJ. You'd be better off using something lke a hollow point or a soft point. Sometimes those coyotes dont go down too easy.
Sav .250
Member
Cheap target ammo and a humane kill. Anythings possible.
Probably illegal (at least I know it is in a lot of places,) and though it can be used to make kills humanely you have NO room for error on what is likely to be a moving target. If you are set on it, at least look for the hollow point rounds... there are surplus target rounds floating around and at least you would be legal.
Carl N. Brown
Member
If the coyote is classed as vermin and your jurisdiction treats it as varminting (pest extermination) and not hunting, requirement for softnose expanding bullets may or may not be required. Most sporting goods counters locally carry wildlife resource agency booklets on hunting regulations, so ask, read and follow.
Personally, I think it would be difficult to tell the difference between a wound from a Full Metal Jacket 55gr-62gr 5.56x45mm and a soft point 45gr .223 Remington hunting round. Both are pretty explosive on flesh and bone. The softnose would be less likely to overpenetrate and on exit would be so deformed that it would not travel as far as a FMJ. Humane kills are possible with both, but I suspect a FMJ would travel further if it exited the coyote.
Remember, to anti-gunners, the FMJ are "armor piercing" and the softnose are "dum-dum bullets" and why do you need such awful bullets? Bullets need to be regulated so they are as safe as teddy bears, don't you know? Sorry for the thread drift.
Personally, I think it would be difficult to tell the difference between a wound from a Full Metal Jacket 55gr-62gr 5.56x45mm and a soft point 45gr .223 Remington hunting round. Both are pretty explosive on flesh and bone. The softnose would be less likely to overpenetrate and on exit would be so deformed that it would not travel as far as a FMJ. Humane kills are possible with both, but I suspect a FMJ would travel further if it exited the coyote.
Remember, to anti-gunners, the FMJ are "armor piercing" and the softnose are "dum-dum bullets" and why do you need such awful bullets? Bullets need to be regulated so they are as safe as teddy bears, don't you know? Sorry for the thread drift.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
I killed a few with 1970s variety GI ammo from a Mini-14. No big deal. I prefer any old 55-grain soft point, though...
I remember reading an article somewhere from an anti-gunner asking why we (civilians) don't just use rubber bullets instead. What he doesn't know is that rubber bullets, while being ineffective at stopping a truly determined attacker, can also penetrate like real bullets at close range. Silly ideologue.
Coyotes are classified as vermin in my state, so I doubt there are any ammo requirements. I would guess that if 17hmr can take them out .223 fmj should do the job with proper shot placement. But the first time I have to track one I'm going to switch to soft point.
I'm not a fan of jhps for rifles. They just seem to fragment too much because of the high velocity.
ole farmerbuck
Member
But the first time I have to track one I'm going to switch to soft point.
Probably better get ready to do some tracking then.
Probably better get ready to do some tracking then.
R.W.Dale
Member
Illegal here
schlockinz
Member
How many coyotes are you planning on shooting that makes it really save you that much money?
Get some cheap SP's and be done with it.
Get some cheap SP's and be done with it.
oneounceload
member
The other thing to consider is whether or not you plan on harvesting the pelts for sale. If so, then IMO, FMJ works the best. If you're just trying to eradicate them, then whatever does the most damage will suffice
jimmyraythomason
Member
We have to use expanding bullets here so I don't know how an FMJ bullet would perform on coyotes. I would suspect it would work,just not as well as a soft point. Coyotes are furbearers here but can be hunted year around during daylight hours only.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
That early GI stuff would blow up if the hit was inside a hundred yards. Made as big a mess in a coyote or jackrabbit as soft points. I dunno about this later stuff; probably not.
cottonmouth
Member
I'd use hollerpoints!
J.B.
J.B.
dagger dog
Member
I have heard of FMJ used to save pelt damage, also using BTHP target bullets driven at high enough velocity to expand, although they are not designed to do so reliably.
But with bullets like the Barnes Varmint Grenade and Hornady Vmax available at reasonable prices, even a per 100 prices, why would you risk a clean kill by shooting anything else?
Even if Wiley is considered a varmint in your neck of the woods ,you still owe it to the animal who's life you are taking to kill it (and this is a misnomer) humanely as possible.
But with bullets like the Barnes Varmint Grenade and Hornady Vmax available at reasonable prices, even a per 100 prices, why would you risk a clean kill by shooting anything else?
Even if Wiley is considered a varmint in your neck of the woods ,you still owe it to the animal who's life you are taking to kill it (and this is a misnomer) humanely as possible.
ILikeLead
Member
I've bought 50 grain Hornady Vmax bullets loaded into Fiocci Factory brass from Cabelas and Sportsman's guide for as low as 9 and 10 dollars per 20 rd box. IMHO it would make a perfect coyote buster. It's also the most accurate factory load I've found to date shooting outta my Bushmaster varminter. (1-2 inches at 200 yards off a bench...)
Best Wishes with the Varmint Control.
Best Wishes with the Varmint Control.
Guiding101
Member
Growing up in the middle of nowhere as a kid I hunted coyotes with a .22lr. That said I would have no issues doing the deed with a FMJ. Kinda goes back to all the bear threads on here. Inevitably it is decieded they are not bullet proof and any decent caliber/ round works.. Shoot what you have. My current go to coyote rifle is a .17 Fireball, and it works well.
hirundo82
Member
Ben86 said:
No FMJ
The .223 cartridge is plenty strong enougy medicine for Coyotes. However a FMJ round is bad for hunting no matter what caliber you are using.
Get your self any well constructed .223 caliber hunting bullet, stay with in the performance envelope of the .223 round and you will be just fine
The .223 cartridge is plenty strong enougy medicine for Coyotes. However a FMJ round is bad for hunting no matter what caliber you are using.
Get your self any well constructed .223 caliber hunting bullet, stay with in the performance envelope of the .223 round and you will be just fine
MachIVshooter
Member
I use 90 gr. FMJ's in my 6mm Rem. for 'yotes so that the back side of the pelt isn't destroyed. Plenty lethal.
That said, FMJ .223 bullets tumble and fragment, so they can be just as destructive as expanding bullets, if not more. A good controlled expansion soft point may be a better choice.
Hangingrock
Member
If you’ve lost livestock to coyotes you’d care less about being humane.
ole farmerbuck
Member
What are you using to get that?
- Status
