.243 win loads

[angus-5024]

hey guys,
I have an old .243 that I thought that I could use for coyote and cats. I would like to sell the pelts. Does anybody have a couple of good loads for anything down to the size of a bobcat at normal ranges? a seperate load for 500-600yards on yotes? thanks

 

[rdsii64]

hey guys,
I have an old .243 that I thought that I could use for coyote and cats. I would like to sell the pelts. Does anybody have a couple of good loads for anything down to the size of a bobcat at normal ranges? a seperate load for 500-600yards on yotes? thanks

From my standpoint the .243 is an great round. it has a high enough ballistic coefficient to get you to 1000 yards. If you use the heavier bullets, it will drop deer cold in their tracks inside 250 yards. If you are intending to save pelts I would suggest a .17 caliber of some sorts. the little .17 caliber bullet will dump all its energy in the yote. No exit wound, and 'ole Willey won't take a step. If you gotta run what you got, I would suggest the lightest bullet you can find. Even with the lightest .243 bullets, the coyote doesn't stand a cold chance in hell with a well placed shot. Just don't hit bone.

I don't want to save pelts so I will shoot them with what ever I have in my hand at the time I see one with in range of my marksmanship skills.

 

[johnnyk]

angus,
I haven't shot any coyotes or bobs with this bullet but I imagine it would do just fine. I have taken crows with it out to 300yds, I even killed two one day with one shot. Boy were they (the survivors) mad!
Hornady 65gn V-max/39.5gn of Varget/CCI BR2 and my OAL: 2.2260" (.010" off). Accuracy runs in the low .4's, sometimes a little better/sometimes a little worse. Velocity averages 3511fps. JohnnyK.

 

[Sharpstick]

No help with the pelt saving load, the .243 isn't great for that. For long range work a 105 Berger over Retumbo is big medicine. Makes a darn good deer, antelope, and elk round (used responsibly) as well.

 

[novaman64]

No help with the pelt saving load, the .243 isn't great for that. For long range work a 105 Berger over Retumbo is big medicine. Makes a darn good deer, antelope, and elk round (used responsibly) as well.

I was actually looking at getting some of the Berger 105's. How do yo ulike them for deer? I was just concerned that at closer ranges (75 yrds) the bullet would blow up. What the longes shot you have on a deer with the 105?

How many grains of retumbo are you using and what your MV and barrel length?

 

[Yotebuster]

Shot lot's!! of yotes with 60 gr Sierra HP and some IMR4064 behind it . Have had very good luck on hides with the load. Most of the time as good or better than my 223.

 

[roninflag]

most of my 250+ coyotes were shot with 37.5 4064 and 85 sierra.

 

[cuernos1]

I use 62 gr Barnes Vamint Grenades over 44 grs of IMR4831... My R25 loves them and I get 5/8 at 100yds and the action functions like butter..

Little residue and great effect.. Check the load in the Barnes Catalog it is listed.

I tried it as a start here load and that is where I stopped..

I could tune it up more but it whacks yotes and it's so accurate I can shoot them in the eye if they hold still... )

 

[TAC]

The 243 and saving pelts do not go hand in hand - but it's what you want and what you have.

For up close you need the bullet to stay together and pass through - it's got to stay together if you want a hole and not a bloody mess. Try the barnes 85 gr. TSX over 44 grains of 4831. Depending on barrel length you should be around 3050 fps. ...Slow is what you want.

For long range I've had great success with the 105 gr Amax... But you may not be able to stabilize anything over 100 grs. So, I'll give you two loads and bullets to try.

105gr. Hornady Amax 47.5 gr. H-1000 ~ 2953 (ave) fps.

100gr. Hornady Internlock 47.8 gr. H-1000 ~ 3032 (ave) fps.

good luck.


TAC