Can't offer much on the .223 due to never had one, but I have done a lot with my .204--fantastic for long range shots, unreal accurate , but very very fast. It can punch a small hole thru a coyote and not neccessarily drop it, where the bigger, slightly heavier and somewhat slower .223 may be the better choice. I watch the guys hunting them on the Sportsmans channel and two of the pros on the show are using .243's which would be even better. In my opinion, the .204 is at the bottom of aceptable calibers for coyotes and up--they are awesome on crows, groundhogs and most anything just a little smaller than a coyote, but wouldn't be my choice for a coyote caliber--go with the .223 or a little larger--I would think the .243 or .22-250 would be perfect------John