I'm looking to build a Suppressed heavy barreled .223 "truck gun" for coyotes. Can I go 16-18", 1.7-1-8 twist and still be effective at 500-600 yards?
How short is too short on a .223?
- Thread starter molzarella
- Start date
Absolutely. I run a suppressed 10.5" that can go 10/10 on steel to 500yds. My 16" WOA shoots 77smk to 800 consistently.
A good barrel and good load or factory ammo and you're gtg.
I have no experience with coyote knock down power at those distances but the accuracy isnt a problem.
A good barrel and good load or factory ammo and you're gtg.
I have no experience with coyote knock down power at those distances but the accuracy isnt a problem.
My 18" Seekins will easily do 800 with match ammo. Use the right kind of expanding bullet, and a 16-18" AR will still end a coyote's day at 600-800.
Depends on the ammo. I was ringing a full size IPSC consistently with 73gr Federal Gold Medal Berger, and the lot I had was only running ~2550. With 77s, it was more in the ballpark of 2700-2800, but I can't remember for sure.
A short barreled .223 is a very poor coyote rifle where I live. You can range coyotes but you will only learn how far they were when you saw them run off. It will have rainbow trajectory that will require knowing range of target prior to shooting at something so small as a coyote. I like a 5.56 or .223 but not for serious coyote hunting and worse yet with a short barrel. The short barrel simply makes a marginal coyote cartridge worse.
For a good coyote rifle consider a longer barrel and .204, 20-250 or 22-250.
Also please check laws regarding shooting from vehicle or from public road. We have had a couple of folks killed locally over the last few years from "road hunting coyotes."
For a good coyote rifle consider a longer barrel and .204, 20-250 or 22-250.
Also please check laws regarding shooting from vehicle or from public road. We have had a couple of folks killed locally over the last few years from "road hunting coyotes."
I totally agree with what you're saying.
I want short barreled so I can get out the window of my truck easy to protect my cow herd (legal on own property) 500-600 yards absolute max, most in the 200 yard or less range.
5-600 is gong to be tough to get reliable kills with a 223. Something in a 6mm flavor would be better that far out IMO. 22-250 would probably get it done too. I have seen a lot run off shooting them 300+ with a 223. The 77SMK would probably at least give you some penetration at those ranges, but it is a super unimpressive game bullet.
