Try the 223 and decide for yourself. I haven't had any problems with a .223. I have also dropped coyotes with larger calibers and heavy bullets like a 139 Interlock out of a 7mm-08 and a 180 grain XTP from a .357 magnum and didn't wreck the hide. Coyotes do not have a lot of density so with the right bullet, and shot placement, you will be good to go. Heck I killed a pesky Racoon with a .450 bushmaster, a 250 grain FTX bullet, last weekend and it wasn't as bad as I thought after seeing what it does to deer. I assume small predators do not offer enough resistance to allow a bullet of heavy construction to expand much.