Question for you die hard coyote hunters. What is the maxium effective range of the .223.

Depending on the bullet, 300-400 yards is far enough that you can kill a coyote with a single shot. Many have killed them further out. Closer is always better.

I like #40's answer. For me 400 gives a good trajectory when sighted in at 200. No fancy scopes just an old fashioned hold over that's easy to remember. In high power they are using the 223 with 80 gr and doing well at 1000 yards. No doubt a coyote would fall to that setup. But for me 400 yards is about right, I prefer getting them closer as well.
Blessings

I'm with #40 on this one. 300-400 is about max I'd call it "effective" on coyote sized critters. With that being said I did kill one a touch over 500 yards with my custom Remmy 700 223 about 8 years back. It was a total dumb luck shot on a running coyote straight away from me, got it on the 5th shot thru the back of the head.

as far as you can see them[8D]( 300-500 )
go with a 22-250 for long range
22 hornet for shorter range
works for me

i agree with #40 also

Thanks for the replies. Went with the .223 because I'll do more paper punching than coyote hunting with this paticular gun. What are your thoughts on the 243. Looking at ballistics with a factory 55 grain bullet it looks like it slightly outperforms the 22-250 with a 55 grain bullet.

Ya i also agree with #40 i used to have a 223. and i got about 400 yards without losing quite a bit of accuracy

243 is a good deer gun

#40, I totally agree with you..... Now.... today I went back out Rock Chuck hunting, and shooting my 16" Rock River Varmint, I was popping chucks out to 600yds and change, withusing my 3rd mill dot on my Leapers 3x9x50..... I have it sighted in at 100 and I am effective on them boogers out to about 250-275 when using the top dot.... 400 yds for the 2nd dot then I just hold for wind...
Love my Rock River.... And when I dont hold just right... I got another follow up on its way....

Michael Plein
Pure Predator Championship Calls
www.purepredator.com