I shoot a lot of dogs for my own use, for hats and selling the pelts to others who want to use them for their own for things
because they can't or don't want to take the time to hunt them.

I don't need fur busted up, I used to shoot my 22-250 for many years, have shot all kinds of bullets out of them as I load my own
and learned quickly to stop using any semblance of a frangible bullet, because of the sewing needed to have them tanned. Only shoot solids now with it, 55 grains boat tails, nothing moves after it's hit with them due to the shock it supplies.

I also stopped using the 250 when I won a 204 Ruger in a raffle, love this caliber for staying on target when you pull the trigger.
although I have not loaded any solids yet for it, I have as of yet not had enough pelt damage due to picking my shot with the frangible's sold for this caliber. I don't like these little grenades', and feel the the 204 out shines the 250 in most all ways for dogs at all ranges, with a solid for it, I would probably stop using the 250 all together.

The Hornady 55/60 grain SP are my go too bullets for 22 cal. I also use 40gr in 204 Ruger.
Most of the time they never go over 10 yards before they realize they are dead.
Roy

Heavier bullets are not going to make your 223 anchor coyotes better. Speed/velocity is the answer. Step up to the 22-250 and you'll see your runner/spinner percentages invert with drop dead on the spot numbers.

If you stick with the 223, go lighter and push them hard.

I'm not a huge fan of the 223 either and use to really like a swift or 22-250. Actually I still like both of them way more than will ever like the 223 but I generally only use them woodchuck shooting anymore. In more recent times, I've also become a 20 caliber fan. Which takes us to the next part---you are talking about night hunting specifically so I'd also be inclined to look at rounds that work nicely in AR platform. Not saying night gear doesnt work on other hunting setups but I find it matches ARs nicely and perhaps with less head aces. If pairing the gear isnt a huge issue for you, I'd likely put thermal on 22-250. And there is gear such as pulsars that are a little more traditional is style. At least to me there is alot of critter movement going on at night compared to day and you dont always have best shooting options. Something with some velocity behind it like the 22-250 is your friend. But the thing with ARs is some rounds fit much better than others which sorta drops some options out of the race. My next upper will likely be something like 20 practical. it does have limitations also; youre running the same 223 case and getting some more velocity vs less weight. however, i bet w.virginia is like here and doesnt lend itself much to long distance night shooting. i find a dog is best night time friend when it comes to locating what you shot at

Spot on

I would suggest forgetting the 223 and 224 and get a 22-250 or 22 creedmore and the nosler bullets Boone mentions if your goal is to anchor.

I will cast a positive vote for the 204 ruger. I almost always choose it over my 22-250 for shooting kiyutes.

I don't reload yet, may be forced to go that route. I love my 17 rem but ammo and even component availability are a problem.
Went to the 22-250. Last 2 years I haven't seen any ammo on a shelf except for Vmax, which ain't fur friendly in my opinion.

If you're not reloading and don't have components stockpiled to reload ... the 223 is an option. A light for caliber, sp bullets with speed is the only way to go, regardless of what you choose. But you got to watch the rifling rate of your firearm.

Listen to what Boone says. I like the 40gr Nosler BT loaded down to around 3600 also. Doesn't reach out like the heavier ones but very fur friendly. Also like the Barnes TSX loaded hot to where it shoots the best in your rifle.

Fur friendly on a west Virginia coyotes.

He don’t care about rubbed worthless fur ! He wants them to drop and not move ! Like Ky he can’t night hunt until fur is worthless. It’s predators control and coyote tournaments he’s participating in . 22 caliber is biggest legal bullet he can use . IMO 22-250 with 55 gr seirra spitzer will drop them and ANY of them hit mid section forward to end of the nose won’t flop out of sight . Millions of prairie dog , groundhogs, heck Deer have been killed before anyone thought of putting a peice of plastic on the tip of a bullet ! If he is going away from the 223 why move down to a 204 ? Will any of the mentioned bullets and calibers kill ? You bet ! But for less run offs and tracking jobs the 55 gr and 22-250 gives a lot more margin for error
In my opinion

Move down, because the 204 has more thump and thats what's need to stop his runaways, pretty simple !

According to my personal results and hundreds of coyotes I've witnessed being killed by others,
I nominate your post as the "worst" I've ever seen posted!!

What you wrote is equivalent to someone saying a Duke 1.5 is an awesome coyote trap.

Hard to believe but I actually agree with the Kentucky Orrical.

TSS to shoot a coyote? Sounds expensive

Thanks for all the replies. The general consensus is that I need a 22-50. Which is not a bad thing, who don’t need another rifle. Looking at uppers now, if I can find one. Will just go with a bolt gun. I am running a pulsar thermal, it looks like a normal rifle scope. So it would mount up just fine on a bolt gun. In the mean time I have some 50 and 55 grain bullets for my .223. I also found a couple boxes of the Hornady superformance 53 gr. Will see how thru shoot.

Jbyard is correct these coyotes are for control and fun, not fur. The last weekend’s tournament was 105 killed for 2 nights. Saving a deer/turkey one coyote at a time.

Far as TSS being expensive, it’s not cheap. But once again we are limited to nothing larger than #2 shot for night hunting. It works wonders I am shooting a 20 ga with 1 1/2 oz of #4s. I have not shot it past 50, but it has a good enough pattern. That I would not be afraid to try one at 60. At 40 and 50 yards it will pass broadside through a coyote. It’s 45.00 for 5 shots. So for what we can use, I think it’s worth the cost.

Gee BB don't hold back now LOL, did not know I needed your opinion on what I use or do, sorry send me your number and I will call next time for your permission to write on the forum !

I have to agree with GritGuy, 35gr and 40gr Berger puts them down right where they stand majority of the time.I really like the 204 over my 22-250 for coyotes out to 350 yards or so.
If shooting longer distance I move up to 6mm to do the job.

A .223 with a 50 gr nosler or hollow point

Soon as you mentioned "Solids "and "Shock", you lost all credibility.

A bullet that goes in and does not exit at all creates the least amount of damage, and the most shock, It takes a fair amount of velocity and solid hits to achieve those results.