.223 Fur Friendly Loads

[MTLabrador]

In order to beat cabin fever, and because we currently have a great abundance of coyotes, I want to get into coyote hunting a lot more this winter. I like coyotes and I’ve been pretty soft on them lately after a youth spent killing every one I saw year round. My better half has also asked me to get her some good fur for garment tanning and decorative purposes, so I don’t want to cut them in half like I usually did with my .22-250 loads.

I want to primarily use my .223 Tikka,
20” 8 twist. I have 12 pounds or so of Varget and some assorted IMR 4064, 4895, and 8208 XBR. I’ve heard great things about H335 with lighter bullets in the .223, are there any other good recommendations or should I stick with the Varget?

I also have a pile of 60 grain Hornady spire points and 55 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips. I’ve never had much luck keeping either inside a coyote and have actually used both for deer. Leaning towards the 50 or 53 Vmax, and I want enough velocity out of a 20” barrel to keep it point and shoot to 300 or so.

There’s a decent amount of wolves around my best coyote spot close to home, and I would have no reservations about shooting a wolf with the 55 grain BT. I’m sure the Vmax would work just fine on wolf as well.

Thanks for the recommendations as we enter the long, dark off season. I also want to shoot one with the .22 mag single six if I can call one in to 50 yards or so, which will be a fun goal to work towards.

 

[Nick87]

Can't help you with the handload or powder end but v-max have always been great on coyotes for me. Tiny hole, no exit and they never take a step if you keep it off the shoulder. 50 and 55 grainers out of a .22-250. Good luck.

 

[Hunting Wife]

Also no help on hand loads, but I use the 55 grain V-max in my .223 and have never had issues with pass through. Very little sewing with those most of the time.

 

[Nick87]

I also want to shoot one with the .22 mag single six if I can call one in to 50 yards or so, which will be a fun goal to work towards.

Never thought about that before. Calling them in and taking them with a shotgun is a blast. Especially if you can double.

 

[MTLabrador]

Never thought about that before. Calling them in and taking them with a shotgun is a blast. Especially if you can double.

I’ve used a 12 gauge with #4s and a killed a lot of them with various .22s including the old .22 pistol, but never when calling for them.

 

[Jnasa]

Not very many pass through with V max. I used to use 55 grain regularly. I currently shoot 55 grain Nosler BT but haven’t shot a coyote yet. If you have them already can try them on a coyote first before investing in Vmax.

I would be a bit more confident with the Nosler on a wolf than the vmax. Vmax would probably be fine though.

 

[Nick87]

I’ve used a 12 gauge with #4s and a killed a lot of them with various .22s including the old .22 pistol, but never when calling for them.

It's spendy but hevi-shot dead coyote with an extended choke will roll coyotes at distances that are jaw dropping.

 

[Jnasa]

It's spendy but hevi-shot dead coyote with an extended choke will roll coyotes at distances that are jaw dropping.

I wouldn’t consider it exactly fur friendly though.

 

[Nick87]

I wouldn’t consider it exactly fur friendly though.

T shot doesn't tear them up too bad at all. At least the ones I have shot.