Finding the Right Bullet for Your Coyote Rifle

Choosing the right bullet for your coyote rifle is just as important as any other piece of equipment you take into the field. Over the years, I’ve learned that not all bullets are created equal. In many cases, a lost coyote isn’t necessarily the result of a misplaced shot, but rather the wrong bullet for the application.

The right bullet can make a significant difference in terminal performance, even when a shot doesn’t land exactly where you intended. Simply put, a bullet that fragments rapidly and creates a substantial wound channel will bleed out a coyote quickly, even when the shot placement isn’t perfect. Bigger bullets aren’t always better, and more speed isn’t always the answer. Finding the right balance of velocity, energy, accuracy, and terminal performance is the key.

After shooting Hornady’s new ELD-VT line of bullets over the past two seasons, I’ve finally found a bullet for the AR-15 platform that can do it all!

Hornady ELD-VT: Designed for Accuracy and Explosive Performance

Incorporating years of ballistic research, ELD-VT combines the aerodynamics of a low-drag match bullet with the lightweight design and high velocity of a varmint bullet. With its impressive accuracy, long-range performance, and explosive fragmentation, ELD-VT bullets are designed to handle the wide range of situations you may encounter while calling coyotes.

One of the standout features of the ELD-VT bullet is its ability to deliver dramatic fragmentation at extended ranges, where traditional varmint bullets may lose some of their effectiveness. Upon impact, the polymer tip drives rearward through the bullet’s large internal air gap and into the core, initiating rapid fragmentation—even at lower impact velocities.

This fragmentation creates an extensive wound channel, helping deliver the terminal performance coyote hunters are looking for. When it comes to knocking coyotes down quickly and effectively, that kind of performance can make a noticeable difference.

A Unique Weight-to-Length Design

Another distinctive feature of the ELD-VT bullet is its weight-to-length design. These bullets feature a long, sleek profile similar to a match bullet, but with a reduced core-to-bullet length. This design helps maximize muzzle velocity while shifting the center of gravity rearward to enhance aerodynamic performance.

The concept is simple: you get the ballistic coefficient advantages of a longer, more aerodynamic bullet profile while retaining the velocity benefits of a lighter bullet. For coyote hunters looking for a combination of speed, accuracy, and reliable terminal performance, that’s an appealing combination.

Hornady ELD-VT V-Match Ammunition Options

The ELD-VT lineup of Hornady V-Match ammunition offers several bullet weights and cartridge options to suit different rifle platforms and hunting applications:

• 22 ARC: 62-grain
• 224 Valkyrie: 62-grain
• 22 Creedmoor: 69-grain
• 6 ARC: 80-grain
• 6 Creedmoor: 80-grain
• 25 Creedmoor: 95-grain
• 6.5 Grendel: 100-grain
• 6.5 PRC: 100-grain
• 6.5 Creedmoor: 100-grain
• 300 PRC: 174-grain

After two seasons of running the ELD-VT bullets in the field, I’ve been impressed with what they bring to the table. For coyote hunters looking to get the most out of their rifle, finding the right combination of bullet design, velocity, accuracy, and terminal performance can make all the difference.

Visit www.hornady.com for more information!