What’s the Best Load for Coyotes?

by
posted on December 20, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
hornady_coyote_f.jpg

The Question
I want to shoot coyotes but I don’t want to destroy the hide, so what’s the best load to use?

The Expert Deferral
I’ve shot a few coyotes, but I’m no means an expert. I reached out to Fred Eichler, the host of Predator Nation, and one of this country’s most experienced predator hunters, to see what he uses. 

Fred didn’t hesitate for a second with his recommendation: “.223 Hornady Superformance—I love that. That 53 gr. V-MAX is just ridiculous. That’s a destructive bullet, but what’s cool is that that bullet was designed for a predator round. It’s a pretty awesome round for minimal hide damage, but the polymer tip increases the ballistic coefficient and is just destructive when it hits—2-6” [of penetration] and it’s done, so you get no real blow-out and I’m not having to sew-up hides.”

The Details
This load is advertised at 3465 fps from a 24” barrel is still moving at 2180 at 400 yards. If you don’t use a .223, Hornady loads its Superformance V-MAX in .222, .22-250, and .243 Winchester.

Latest

Hunter In A Field
Hunter In A Field

Interior Department Increases Hunting Opportunities on Public Lands

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has issued a secretarial order aimed at greatly expanding hunting and fishing on publicly managed lands.

Hunting with the Jet Set

A three-day Montana set for waterfowl proves to the author that Benelli’s Advanced Impact barrel technology is a game changer.

New for 2026: Federal Terminal Ascent Handgun

Federal Ammunition has announced its new Terminal Ascent Handgun ammunition line, built to deliver accuracy and terminal performance for hunters who carry a handgun into the field.

First Look: Retay USA Asend

Retay USA has introduced its Asend rifle, a .22 LR bolt-action rifle for small game hunters everywhere.

Hot from SHOT: Top 10 Items for Backcountry Hunters

Every year manufacturers debut new and exciting guns, optics, backpacks, clothing, footwear and a plethora of other fun gear during the January Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Tradeshow (SHOT) in Las Vegas, Nev. This year I cruised the floors in search of awesome new gear suitable to my favorite kind of hunting: wilderness, backcountry-type adventures in wild and remote places. Here’s what I found.

AH Hunts: Late Season Alberta Geese Pt. 1

Senior Executive Editor Jon Draper joins American Hunter contributor Brad Fenson for a late-season Alberta goose hunt. Check out part 1 of the hunt here.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.