2.23 vs 5.56 For Coyote huntin"

[TravisJDaniels]

Howdy y'all... Just learned NC has year round coyote hunting. So I'm gonna reach out to some local people and see if I can vibe-check some.

Anyway. I was curious. What is better for hunting at Mid-Long range?

And if you choose one or the other what grain and brand?

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

They’re essentially the same.
My understanding is a 223 setup has tighter tolerances, typically yielding higher accuracy.
Rule of thumb, you can run 223 ammo in a 5.56, don’t run 5.56 in a 223 due to potential overpressure.

 

[TravisJDaniels]

Yeah my Zion can run both, is there one that's slightly better than the other at longer ranges tho?

 

[Car0linab0y]

More a matter of bullet selection regardless of caliber.

 

[Beef15]

I would find something loaded with a vmax and buy that. The 60gr did very well in all my ARs, both factory TAP and handloads. It was accurate, and expanded reliably and completely.

 

[Burt Gummer]

I would find something loaded with a vmax and buy that. The 60gr did very well in all my ARs, both factory TAP and handloads. It was accurate, and expanded reliably and completely.

This. End of discussion

 

[TravisJDaniels]

I would find something loaded with a vmax and buy that. The 60gr did very well in all my ARs, both factory TAP and handloads. It was accurate, and expanded reliably and completely.

I like the sound of that. I'll make sure to check it out

 

[TravisJDaniels]

More a matter of bullet selection regardless of caliber.

Fair enough

 

[Supermatch]

My Zion definitely liked heavier bullets, so I would err towards the 60+ grain rounds over the 55’s.

 

[TravisJDaniels]

I would find something loaded with a vmax and buy that. The 60gr did very well in all my ARs, both factory TAP and handloads. It was accurate, and expanded reliably and completely.

Thoughts on these?

NovX 5.56 NATO 55gr Pentagon

The Pentagon line of rifle ammunition centers on a monolithic copper hollow point design carefully engineered for controlled opening on impact to maximize penetration while delivering optimal hydro…

www.foxcartridge.com

 

[Derek8404]

I don’t think the coyote would notice the difference if you shot him with 5.56 or .223, he’ll be just as dead regardless.

Personally I would go with a bonded 62gr soft point. Something like Armscorp PSP. Saw hundreds of hogs in TX drop to that bullet.

Armscor 223 Rem Ammunition ARMFAC2234N 62 Grain Soft Point 20 Rounds

Armscor 223 Rem Ammunition ARMFAC2234N 62 Grain Soft Point 20 Rounds

www.outdoorlimited.com

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I think you're over thinking this, and @Derek8404 had it right... the coyote ain't gonna care... or even know, if you're a good shot.

Sight your rifle in at the ranges you expect to be hunting at and make sure you can hit the target where you're supposed to be hitting it with whatever ammunition you're using.

A .223 or 5.56 to the brain or heart will do the job...IF you can deliver it there.

 

[Conraq]

I have killed several over the years and right now I am shooting a Hornady 75 grain in the black flavor. Does good. I don’t care about saving fur, just looking for dead right there. I think they are .223