308 Coyote Load

[clintbailey]

Yeah, that’s the deal. I know I’m way over thinking this, because the coyotes aren’t going to know if they get hit with a $1 projectile or a 20 cent projectile or care how much thought and time I put into load development.

I’ve been texting with a member on here about buying a 243 for a dedicated coyote rifle and actually found a decent deal on a TC Venture yesterday, but for what that “deal” is still going to cost me, I might as well use factory premium ammo in a rifle I already have for the little coyote hunting I’ll probably actually do.

Yeah, I have a 243 and a 22-250 bought for coyote hunting over the years, but usually go to my 22-243 nowadays when I'm predator calling...actually tried to sell my 243 a while back, not much luck though...I think most people want the "latest and greatest" in cartridges nowadays more than ever, not that there's anything wrong with that

 

[TedKennedy]

Man, I've shot all kinds of critters with all kinds of bullets. If I'm using a .308 I just pick the load that groups the best, that's the main thing. Never considered going "light" or using a load specific to coyotes.

I've even loaded tons of Midway's 2nds sales bullets, and gotten good results.

 

[swampratt]

An inexpensive load to make is a .223 and 55gr V'max or 53 gr or 50 gr.
I have 2 savage axis rifles in .223 and they hold on target like a lazer.

You want cheap and accurate it does not get much cheaper and very accurate.
I have two .243 rifles and they do in fact shoot excellent and are pretty speedy but I reach for the 55gr V-max .223 Axis rifle more often than all my other rifles.
I have .308, 30-06, 6.5x55, 6.5 Creedmoor so not lacking in the reach out department.

10 years ago I was tossing stones at the little .223 and many years ago I was in the long barrel crowd.
I have changed my tune. I love the .223 and a shorter barrel on a rifle 16-18".

But if I have a 22" barrel that shoots great I do not touch it.

 

[cowadle]

i use my modified savage hog hunter 223 for coyote quite a bit,i carry the 17wsm around in the truck or tractor while feeding to get those that are among the livestock. the 75 grain hollow point boat tail match in the hog hunter matches the bdc in my scope perfectly and the wind doesn't bother it to much either. i am finding that 223/5.56 loads are pretty versatile. and i cut my teeth on 30 cal.

 

[Camo]

I use my 223/5.56 for coyote. It’s grown into being my go to caliber for them.

 

[retrieverman]

I never consider load development and testing a waste of time, but I’m now leaning toward abandoning the 308 and just following the crowd by using a 223 in an AR platform.

I tested the triggers on a few lowers last night and picked the one with the lightest crispest break (not sure if it’s Rock River or Geissele), and I scoped it up with an old Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14. I’m going to try factory ammo first, but I’ve got a good stock of 22 cal bullets from 45-75 grains if load development is necessary.

 

[rockchalk06]

Will a 1-10 twist stabilize a bullet that light? I've never gone below 147 grain with a 1-10, that's assuming yours is.

The other thing I'd wonder is barrel life with a round moving that fast. Again, never pushed a 308 over 2800 in my life.

It's been a bit, but I've drilled a few coyotes with a 168 grain A-Max over H335 moving around 2500 FPS and it put the thump on them.

 

[retrieverman]

Will a 1-10 twist stabilize a bullet that light? I've never gone below 147 grain with a 1-10, that's assuming yours is.

The other thing I'd wonder is barrel life with a round moving that fast. Again, never pushed a 308 over 2800 in my life.

It's been a bit, but I've drilled a few coyotes with a 168 grain A-Max over H335 moving around 2500 FPS and it put the thump on them.

The 308 on my combo gun is 1-11.

 

[swampratt]

110 gr SP flat base in 1 in 10 twist 30-06, 3,250 ish fps.
4 quick shots at 100 yards.
Stable at 100 yards anyway.

 

[diggler1833]

I never consider load development and testing a waste of time, but I’m now leaning toward abandoning the 308 and just following the crowd by using a 223 in an AR platform.

I tested the triggers on a few lowers last night and picked the one with the lightest crispest break (not sure if it’s Rock River or Geissele), and I scoped it up with an old Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14. I’m going to try factory ammo first, but I’ve got a good stock of 22 cal bullets from 45-75 grains if load development is necessary.
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