Long Range load for Coyotes/AR-15

[Iron Worker]

Nosler has introduced a .224 60 gr Balistic tip but doesn't state what BC is? I want to load up 500 of the best Long range predator/varmint for my RRAs coyote AR-15. So far it is producing well under 3/4MOA with Blue Box Black Hills ammo shooting 52 gr match bullet. Uncertain if I should stick with 55gr or 60 gr. BBL is a 1 in 9" 20" BBL.

 

[James Jones]

How far are you planning to shoot? I have had very good luck shooting Blackhills ammo out of all my AR's the 77gr SMK loads are awsome but all my guns ar 1-7 twist. the few I'f worked on for friends shot the 69gr SMK loads realy well.

Not sure what the BC on the smaller bullets is but its not impressive at all , I have a 6mm-223 that shoots the 55gr BT's way better than the 223 and shoots them faster and the bullets are higher BC

 

[jes10x1]

Bullet recommendation

If your AR has a 1:9 twist, I'd think your best bullet would be the 75 gr Hornady A-max. I use that bullet for my 600 yd load in High Power competition with my AR. I have a 1-8, but the bullet will work with a 1:9.

I recommended it to a friend who shoots a bolt gun with a 1:9 barrel & he's been happily using it for several years now on prairie dog. It doesn't have the explosive terminal performance of the lighter bullets but past 300 yds, it carries way more impact than anything else you can shoot. Just my opinion.

 

[cappi]

Coyote load

I can also attest to what the Nosler 77 grain HPBT with cannelure bullet does out of a 20'' AR15 with a 1:8 twist. On prarie dogs under 200 yards the dogs fragmented. At 300 plus yards they died of 22 cal holes. Fired 600 rounds on a South Dakota dog hunt this summer. Sorry no coyote kills to attest to.

 

[sscoyote]

I use the 65 JLK Low Drag (BC-.4) in my 9 twist AR for coyotes to about 500 yds. But i'm also using the old DPMS VLD magazine that allows me to shoot that long bullet too. They're not being manufactured anymore, but if u can get ahold of one (and the special bolt stop it requires) it's a pretty nice system. I've also had decent results from the 69 Nosler Comp. as well to about 500. 500 or so is about the limit of good terminal ballistics on a coyote IMO out of a .223 case. My AR is a great setup for this. I use the Rapid Reticle 3-9X 22 Long Rifle reticle that i simply recald for the 65 JLK's trajectory. I love that setup.

 

[Iron Worker]

Awaiting shipment

Well I ordered 300 Sierra 65gr Game King bullets. I've heard and read good reports about those.

 

[Misfire]

18" RRA 1:8 twist

Black Hills Blue Box 60gr V-Max Molly

200 yard bench group

.

 

[Shawn Carverelli]

How far are you planning to shoot? I have had very good luck shooting Blackhills ammo out of all my AR's the 77gr SMK loads are awsome but all my guns ar 1-7 twist. the few I'f worked on for friends shot the 69gr SMK loads realy well.

Not sure what the BC on the smaller bullets is but its not impressive at all , I have a 6mm-223 that shoots the 55gr BT's way better than the 223 and shoots them faster and the bullets are higher BC

Are you saying your .223 case necked UP to 6mm shoots 55gr bullets faster than a .223 55 gr bullet in basically the same case?
To me, that theory is emperically unsound. The 6mm 55 gr bullet is ballistically inferior to the same weight/ shape .223 bullet.
Something doesn't add.
Unless you meant. 223- 6mm

 

[zr600]

Are you saying your .223 case necked UP to 6mm shoots 55gr bullets faster than a .223 55 gr bullet in basically the same case?
To me, that theory is emperically unsound. The 6mm 55 gr bullet is ballistically inferior to the same weight/ shape .223 bullet.
Something doesn't add.
Unless you meant. 223- 6mm

Same case with a larger bore will push the same size bullet little faster generally.

 

[WildRose]

Same case with a larger bore will push the same size bullet little faster generally.

Can you provide some examples?

 

[Shawn Carverelli]

Same case with a larger bore will push the same size bullet little faster generally.

describe "little" faster. >I'm guessing the difference isn't worth talking about, but I've been wrong before

 

[WildRose]

describe "little" faster. >I'm guessing the difference isn't worth talking about, but I've been wrong before

When I look at my .260 and it's ballistics and compare it to the .308 which is the parent case I don't see it.

Maybe if you're running a very light for caliber bullet in the .308>?

 

[zr600]

I'm seeing about 200fps difference on Sierras ap. 260 150 vs 308 150g. You have to compare same or close bullets weights. Maybe I'm wrong, but with the data I'm seeing the bigger bore with same case, and same bullet weight speed goes to the larger bore size. Maybe it has to do with bearing surface on the bullet I don't know.

 

[WildRose]

I'm seeing about 200fps difference on Sierras ap. 260 150 vs 308 150g.

You're comparing an extremely heavy for caliber 260 to a very light for caliber 308.

Comparing the 140 to a 147 I get about a 30fps difference.