Is 40gr .223 suitable for yotes?

[shaneman153D]

Hello guys.  I recently got a new .223 and worked up a very accurate handload with a 40gr V-Max.  Since I've been shooting this load, I have not missed a coyote, but I have also not stopped one in his tracks.  I'm not sure of the velocity, but I'm guessing it's somewhere between 3,200-3,300 fps (16 in barrel).  Is this not a suitable load or is this just poor shot placement?  I know there are guys that hunt Coyotes with a .204 Ruger so I know the bullet is capable of putting them down.  Should I just switch to a 55gr?

[shoot-em-dead]

It does sound light but if it works I have a freind that loads his with 50gn v-max and has put the lights out quick.

[Bulldozer]

If you want to drop them in their tracks you need a head or spine shot or a larger caliber. I've seen a yote soak up a few rounds when they get the adrenaline going. They are pretty tough animals. I use a 22-250 with 45gr HPs and they usually drop lick a rock if they are standing still but on a running shot placement isn't as precise and they can run a ways.

[high country]

I have killed a pile of them with 40gr bullets out of my 22-250.....but they are not worth a hoot in the wind. playing the slice sux

[sako223]

40's will do the job, but no doubt you can get runners and wind will cause drift easier.
We have had better luck with 50's, Nosler, Blitzking. With all ballistic tips splashing can pose problems especially with the lighter more fragile(thinner) brands.
The .22-250 has more energy and performs better with the same bullets traveling at a higher speed. For this reason many guys step up in bullet weight with the .223. they just don't shoot as flat.

[shaneman153D]

Thanks for the replies guys, I think I'll try some 50-55gr V-Max's.  Hopefully I can load them up as accurate as that 40!

[carpsniperg2]

40's will work fine but wind will play with them allot, i like 50+ for my ar-15 myself

[demontang]

They work well with good placement. There's not much in winddrift over the 55 it's less the 4" at 400yds. I'm shooting them out a 16" barrel at 3600 and have downed lots of yotes with one shot, they are kind of nasty if you hit an edge. I use only the 40gr for yotes unless I'm out.   

[bowhunt03]

I shoot a 50 gr. Blitzking out of my .223 and havent had a problem with runners.

[b23]

I shoot 40's on yotes out of 2 different .223's I have.  A 1-9 and a 1-12 and they seem to put the yotes I shot with them to sleep quite nicely. 

I've never been a big fan of lighter bullets but these 40gr Nosler BT's have been like a death ray on yotes this year.  I'm running them a bit on the hot side but that's were they seem to want to group the best.

[Straight Shooter]

I have my .223s sighted in for the Fiocchi 40gr V-Max loads.  Eventhough, I haven't connected yet... at 3,650 fps, and good shot placement, I'm not worried.

[Gutpile]

This year all I've used were 40's. I've only shot 5 so far but only one needed more that one shot because of a poor hit. It just zapped them on the others. I've used many different 40's in the 22-250 and I think it's an awesome choice.  Just my   but the 40 is an excellent choice unless it's real windy. With good shot placement they should go down like they were electrocuted.

[Big10gauge]

I know there are guys that hunt Coyotes with a .204 Ruger so I know the bullet is capable of putting them down. 

Are you actually comparing a .223 to a .204?      

[wrangler]

i also got the 40gr vmax to shoot lights out in my 223, its what i use for prairie dogs when i go to montana. however i wanted to shoot a 55gr bullet for most of my yote huntin, i had MUCH better results, accuracy and velocity wise, with the 55gr balistic tip over the 55gr vmax. somethin you may wanna try.

[dontgetcrabs]

I have killed many coyotes with a 40 gr in 22-250. This year I've been using a 69 gr in 223. Yotehunter has had good kills with a 40 gr in 223 this year, very pelt friendly.