Coyotes and 243

[Jchip]

What does everyone recommend as a relatively fur friendly load for 243? Can be factory or your own special formula. Don't need a "one bullet does all" as I'll use a different load for deer. Trying to find something specific for coyotes.

[obsessed1]

Originally Posted by Jchip

What does everyone recommend as a relatively fur friendly load for 243? Can be factory or your own special formula. Don't need a "one bullet does all" as I'll use a different load for deer. Trying to find something specific for coyotes.

I never had luck with the 243 as a fur friendly option. Big holes and blown apart hides 50-60% of the time. Best one I used was Barnes 87gr but even then I was only able to save 50% the 55 gr bullets were also around 60% useable hides but my gun didn't shoot them very well. My advice is try for a 22 cf

[philintheblank]

Blue box federal 90 gr. PSP is what I used. Did alright with them. Most times it is a small hole . The odd one blew up. Aim further back away from the shoulder.

You can hit a coyote damn near anywhere and drop it in its tracks with a .243

Now I shoot a .223 the 45gr JHP and dont worry about fur damage.

[catnthehat]

We used to shoot them with the 6mm cartridges but at longer ranges only,
300 and inside we used .233’s and deuces .
The number inside 300 far exceeded the number of shots past 300 so I quit using the bigger rifles unless it was strictly for predator control .
Cat

[Redrider]

I've had luck with 95gr SST.

[ceedub]

I've had trouble using "fur friendly" and 243 in the same sentence. I use .204 ruger now, but have had great luck with a .222 as well.

Craig

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[FishOutOfWater]

Best projectile is the 58gr Vmax... I hand loaded them @ 3900 fps.
But even the factory Hornady ammo is moving at 3750 fps, which does serious damage to the fur (under 300 meters, like Cat said).
I bought a 223rem specifically for dogs.

[Lefty-Canuck]

They don’t have a fur friendly .243 load, you actually want to try for less velocity not more in larger calibers.

LC

[RancheroMan]

I've been using 55gn Nosler Armageddon's for a few years now but don't sell the fur, just predator control for the local cattle producers so my information is anecdotal only.

From what I've observed, there is very little fur damage with this bullet, unless some bigger bone is contacted.......then you have a mess on your hands. It's real bad.

Tuck it in behind the shoulder and things are great, ribs don't seem to have a devastating impact like shoulder and legs bones do.

[Jchip]

I've looked at a 223 but for now want to stick with the 243. The rifle is also going to be used for a couple new hunters who are coming out with me for whitetail next year so trying to avoid a "dog specific" gun. If I get out enough this year to justify it I'll look at selling the 243 and buying a 22-250/223 and a 7mm08 instead. For now just looking to work with a one shoe fits all approach.

[Big Lou]

The best I’ve enjoyed with the 6mm offerings and negating damage was to slow down a bigger pill as previously mentioned. It has worked ok but really defeats the purpose of having a flat shooting cartridge in my eyes. If you’re just calling and can have them in close more often than not it is doable though. I’ve played with 75 and 87gr Vmax, 80 gr TTSX, 95gr VLD and Classic Hunters and 105gr VLD. This is all out of a 6mmAI. You hit big bone and it’s still going to be pretty nasty but if you slow them down and keep your impacts in the soft stuff they pretty much zip right through with little expansion. And they don’t drop on the spot in my experience. More dead runners than anything but they do kill.

I’ve resolved to just keep the 6mm running hot and use it on windy days or when I think I may have to get out there further than I would with a 22 or 20 cal offering. 204 gets my nod for being fur friendly, either a 35gr Berger or 39gr SBK. I use a 223 shooting 40gr Berger’s quite often too. Probably 95% of the coyotes I shoot are done while calling so I tend to be able to be a little more picky about placing bullets.

[Smokinyotes]

When I had a 243 I loaded up some 55 gr ballistic tips and was quite surprised how “fur friendly” it was if you stayed off bone. Shoot a shoulder and it was a terrible mess. The ballistic tips out of the 243 do way less damage than the 50 gr vmax out of my 22-250.

[heretohunt]

Nosler 55gn bt are very good with good shot placement. Front on shots are best. I have had next to no sewing unless you hit too high or too low. Sometimes you get a pass through if you Center punch em. Still not usually much sewing. It’s my go to because I often end up with wolves.
I don’t find much advantage over the .204 for fur friendly. The .243 puts em down on the spot.

[normanrd]

58 grain vmax, 32 grains h4895 reduced load for 3100 fps. Virtual duplication of a devastating fur friendly .223 load. Shoots better than .5moa out of my daughters .243. Exactly what the doctor ordered.

Norm

[Osky]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

When I had a 243 I loaded up some 55 gr ballistic tips and was quite surprised how “fur friendly” it was if you stayed off bone. Shoot a shoulder and it was a terrible mess. The ballistic tips out of the 243 do way less damage than the 50 gr vmax out of my 22-250.

Agreed. I have been shooting control with a .243 for a very long time. Many years ago Federal came out with a 55gr ballistic tip the P243H.
My Tikka loves them and I'm not as concerned about fur as some but overall I do not see undo damage.

Osky

[stob]

80gr barnes ttsx ... double lung shots and stem to stern with no blow up. Have not hit a shoulder yet though

[Captainkip]

70 grain Speer tnt. 44 grain imr 4350.

Never had problems. Rarely an exit hole. Got the tip from a guy at cabelas one time. Thankful for his help.

[karateka]

Could give 100 grain bullets a try. Should pass right through unless a big bone is hit.

[mhd]

80gr. soft points work for me. Federal Powershok

[warriorboy10]

Originally Posted by mhd

80gr. soft points work for me. Federal Powershok

Handloads? What are you using for powder and how many gr.?

[sheffield]

I'm using a 243 also, its my gf's deer gun. I first started off using the 58gr Vmax and they put massive holes in them. I've switched to some browning 97gr and they have been a lot better. I haven't shot much with them yet, but they were immediately better than the 58gr.

[Predatorhunter]

I use 55gr Nosler BT just under 4000fps. Found they produce less damage than the 22-250. They still can make a mess. Most times I use 222, as it is deadly out to 300yrds.

[pikergolf]

Shot one today with a 69gr match king. First one with that bullet, so far, so good.

[Steyr Luxus]

6 mm 95 Grain Very Low Drag (VLD) Hunting

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

Shot one today with a 69gr match king. First one with that bullet, so far, so good.

Sorry 70gr. Matchking .243.

[6.5 shooter]

If I were going to use the .243 again . I would use 85gr. Speer BTSP. again