Best 5.56 Ammo for Coyote Hunting: Drop ‘em Dead

By Wes Littlefield

Last Updated: Dec 29, 2025

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Wes Littlefield

Guns have fascinated Wes since pulling the trigger on his BB gun as a kid. He built a private gun range over a decade ago to keep his skills sharp. He loves breaking down complex ideas into understandable pieces for readers, with expertise in hunting and all aspects of shooting.

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Wes Littlefield, "Best 5.56 Ammo for Coyote Hunting: Hit ‘em From Everywhere"
(https://ammo.com/best/best-556-ammo-for-coyote-hunting)

My 5.56/.223 AR-15 is my go-to rifle for coyote hunting. Whether I see a coyote trotting across my pasture or go hunting on a local rancher's property, I want the best 5.56 ammo for dropping prairie tricksters loaded in that rifle.

When you're on the hunt for coyotes, the right ammo is crucial. The best grain for 5.56 ensures that your shot delivers consistent power and precision, whether you're targeting those sneaky prairie dogs or bigger, more elusive coyotes.

Best 5.56 Coyote Ammo

How I Decided on the Best 5.56 Ammo for Coyote Hunting

Though I do try to test as much ammo as possible, I understand that's still only one experience. That's why I consult other ammunition experts, coyote hunters, and 5.56 enthusiasts. It's all in service of gathering as much feedback as possible before comparing rounds based on price, accuracy, reliability, and stopping power.

When 5.56 May Not Be Ideal

As an avid hunter, I know the 5.56 isn't the best hunting round. But it's more than capable of taking care of most coyote problems, and it doesn't hurt that it's also affordable, comfortable to fire, and already familiar to an ardent AR enthusiast such as myself.

With that in mind, here are a couple of cases where I'd opt for a more powerful cartridge, such as the .22-250 Rem.

Hunting Larger Coyotes

I'm from Oklahoma. Our coyotes can grow quite large, and I know they get even bigger up north. When you're dealing with monster song dogs, you'll probably want more firepower. The .223 Rem/5.56 NATO can kill large coyotes, but taking those down in one hit will likely require excellent shot placement.

Long-Range Coyote Hunting

While the 5.56 can ethically kill coyotes out to 300-400 yards (depending on marksmanship, ammo selection, and barrel length), 250 yards is generally the maximum distance most coyote hunters should keep within while firing 5.56. If you want to push past the 400-yard mark, then a hotter coyote hunting cartridge is advisable.

My 4 Best Coyote Rounds for the 5.56/223 Remington

Hornady Superformance Varmint .223 53 Grain V-MAX - Best Overall

Hornady Superformance Varmint 223 Ammo - 200 Rounds of 53 Grain Polymer Tipped Ammunition

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$254.99

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Specs

• Bullet Type: V-MAX
• Bullet Weight: 53 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,465 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 1,413 ft-lbs
• Case: Brass

Why I Chose It

Hornady is a brand I trust in nearly every situation involving a firearm. I use Hornady ammo for self-defense and hunting because it's accurate, reliable, and hard-hitting.

When I set up for coyotes, I want to know my ammo will perform just like it did while at the range. That always seems to be the case when I use Hornady ammo. I've found it to be very accurate at the range and in the field in various conditions, plus it's always fired when I pull the trigger.

The 53 grain V-MAX bullet will easily stop a coyote dead in its tracks out to 300 yards, and performs excellently at closer ranges.

The biggest downside to all Hornady ammo is its price, but I've always thought it was worth the added expense (unless I'm just plinking at the gun range).

Hornady Superformance Varmint 53 grain V-MAX is the best overall 5.56 coyote hunting ammo because it's reliable, hard-hitting, and accurate. What more can you ask from a coyote round?

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Hornady Superformance 5.56 55 Grain CX - Best 5.56 For Dense Brush

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Specs

• Bullet Type: Copper alloy eXpanding (CX)
• Bullet Weight: 55 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,175 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 1,231 ft-lbs
• Case: Brass

Why I Chose It

Hornady Superformance 55 grain CX is great in brushy areas because the copper alloy bullet is accurate enough to hit tight shooting windows and heavy enough to stay on course if it contacts a few leaves or tiny limbs.

We've already talked about how dependable Hornady ammunition is, and these rounds are no exception. When you pull the trigger, they'll go bang and hit where you're aiming (assuming you've zeroed your rifle).

Using a carbine instead of a rifle (shorter barrel) will likely yield greater benefits while hunting in dense brush. Most rounds perform similarly at close range. Hornady Superformance 55 grain CX is also expensive, which is to be expected of one of the top ammunition manufacturers.

If I were headed to hunt some thickets, I'd want Hornady Superformance 55 grain CX loaded in my 5.56 AR-15.

Fort Scott Munitions 5.56 55 Grain TUI - Best 5.56 For Long-Range Hunting

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Specs

• Bullet Type: Tumble Upon Impact (TUI)
• Bullet Weight: 55 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,426 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 1,433 ft-lbs
• Case: Brass

Why I Chose It

Fort Scott Munitions is a smaller ammo company than other brands on this list, but that doesn't mean they produce low-quality ammo. Fort Scott is known for high-quality ammo that meets or exceeds shooters' expectations.

These rounds are ultra-reliable and accurate thanks to the high-quality components Fort Scott Munitions uses to make ammo. The solid copper TUI bullet's high ballistic coefficient (BC) helps it exhibit a flat trajectory and stay on course over longer distances. The 55 grain bullet is also less affected by the wind than lighter alternatives.

The TUI bullet doesn't expand, although it does live up to its name immediately following impact: tumbling around and around to inflict a devastating wound channel. Shot placement still counts for everything, but good shot placement with a TUI spells a surefire KO on a coyote.

Even though Fort Scott Munitions isn't the best-known brand, they do create high-quality ammo that I'm not afraid to load in my mag while coyote hunting – especially when I know I'll be forced to take some long shots.

Remington Premier .223 50 Grain AccuTip-V - Best for Night Hunting Coyote

Remington Premier 223 Ammo - 20 Rounds of 55 Grain AccuTip-V Ammunition

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$26.99

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Specs

• Bullet Type: AccuTip-V
• Bullet Weight: 50 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,410 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 1,291 ft-lbs
• Case: Brass

Why I Chose It

Remington Premier 50 grain AccuTip-V is an excellent choice for coyote hunting at night because it's designed for varmint hunting, accurate, and hard-hitting.

Tracking a coyote you just shot is one of the most challenging parts of nighttime varmint hunting. With these rounds, that's no longer an issue because the thin-jacketed and polymer-tipped AccuTip-V bullet fragments violently upon impact to produce a large blood trail (though you may not wind up even needing to track the coyote).

I haven't had any trouble or malfunctions from Remington ammo, and wouldn't hesitate to take a box or two with me the next time I go coyote hunting.

Parting Shots: Best 5.56 Coyote Ammo

It might take a little experimenting to determine the best 5.56 ammo for coyote hunting with your rifle, but I'd be willing to bet Hornady Superformance Varmint 53 grain V-MAX will be near the top. It's accurate, reliable, and designed for varmint hunting.

Stock up on all the ammo you need at Ammo.com, where we have fast shipping, excellent customer service, and great prices!

Written by

Wes Littlefield