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.223 and Predators/Varmints

walleyes13
Is a .223 too small for coyotes and bobcats? hat would be a better choice? What would be the best choice to shoot predators and varmints(prairie dogs) I have a .17 HMR that I use for squirrels/gophers. Any help would be appreciated.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • 5mmgunguy
    Welcome to the forum. The 223 is fine for coyote and bobcats...
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  • bpost
    How far are you shooting?
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  • shootuadeal
    .223 is probaly the most popular round for predators and varmints, it would be an excellant choice.
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  • William81
    No Bobcats to speak of in my area, but the yotes I have shot with .223 were dispatched quickly and cleanly.
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  • sandwarrior
    Walleyes13,

    If you just want to kill them the .223 is just fine. If you are trying to save pelts I would maybe think about that .17 a little more.
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  • nicholas81_4
    I would use the .223 if you are just trying to kill them but if you want to keep the fur I would agree with the guy up ontop useing the .17 it might be a small cal. But it still packs a punch but I would not go farther than 150 yards for a clean kill.
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  • lhicks76
    walleye, I only hunt varmints (yote, cats, fox and coons.) yotes year round. I use RRA ar15 with quility scope. If you get a good and clean shot .223 will drop anything. I also shoot a .204 sometimes on strictly cat hunts 40 grain to the head, perfect fur everytime.
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  • bentley47
    +1 on the 223. Maybe fmjs if you are fur hunting.
    I use 223 almost exclusively for prairie dogs. Unlike some shooters, I like lighter bullets - 50 gr in slower twist barrels. Out to 300 yds, hits are explosive. Wind beyond 300 yds makes those shots tougher than they might be with heavier bullets or a bigger caliber. 223 will still dispatch prairie dogs well beyond 300, at least 525, in my experience (that was on a calm day).
    22-250 and larger are better for longer shots, but the recoil makes it hard to see where the bullet hits, so you don't have that reference for adjustments.
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  • zimmden
    17 HMR and their 17 to 20 grain bullets with MV of 2500 fps is just not enough energy or penetration to anchor animals bigger than 10 lbs. 17 centerfires with MV's of 3800 to 4400 fps will do the job with 25 or 30 grain bullets. The .223 was designed to kill people out to 500 yards.
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  • tsr1965
    I have personally been witness to seeing several deer killed on crop destruction permits out to 100 yards with a 17HMR, and a 22 WMR. I have no doubt that a 223 will to the job to 300 yards or a little better on yote's and bad ole putty tats....

    I have a Cooper Model 38 in 17 Fireball, that has taken a wide variety of game, including Whitetails. I think this is a great round too, except when you get gusty winds.

    Best
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