.243 55 grain ballistic silvertip

felix cortinas · 02-07-2008, 08:45 PM

I am planning on shooting coyotes with the Winchester 55 gr. .243 ballistic silvertip, any input and will they hold up to a big (#200 plus) hog. I have heard nays and yeas.

samuel · 02-08-2008, 03:56 AM

You dont use varmint bullets on thick,tough skinned animals unless you are planning on a disaster.The 55gr works great on thin skinned animals but for hogs I would go 80gr or heavier. sam.

nathangdad · 02-08-2008, 08:18 AM

In my opinion, this is just too light a bullet
for a hog of the size you mention. However,
the .243 does come factory loaded with
heavier bullets. I suggest practice
for good hit placement to make the .243
a good 200# hog killer. Note: a wounded
hog can be a major safety issue so do try for
a one shot kill.

felix cortinas · 02-08-2008, 09:29 PM

my deer lease is loaded with hogs, last year we either trapped or shot over 600. I normally use a .308 and carry a .45 colt (with buffalo bore 260 grain for backup) I just wanted to carry the .243 for coyotes and you never know what will show up, my .308 is a hvy bbl. 26" and I like to carry a shorter rifle at times.

killer · 02-08-2008, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by felix cortinas

trapped or shot over 600

What in the heck are they eating? They have to be in competiton with the deer and their food?

felix cortinas · 02-09-2008, 07:53 PM

My lease is surrounded by 2 large ranches, with over 8,000 acres each. there is plenty to eat and they are thick as I have ever seen them (this is in southern Gonzales county in south central Texas) they got plenty of our corn, acorns and other game to eat. it is all low fenced and we have a good running creek going thru our place, that helps.

killer · 02-13-2008, 07:06 PM

Haaaa...you must be awful sick of eating pork!

Some day I'll have to get down and try some porker hunting. Got a few friends from your State on other forums always wanting to try bear hunting up in my part of Minnesota. We keep talking about meeting up.

My guess is kind of similar hunting. I think bear and pork are related somewhat? We sure like to stick a domestic pig over the grill up here for party's, usually the whole hog in a big ole grill. We got guys that make a good part time living weekends grilling whole hogs for party's.

Farmer · 02-14-2008, 04:48 AM

Ive seen some photos of hogs in texas and they al seem to be wild domestics, not razorbacks, is this right, if it is a well placed 55gn at 4000fps plus would do them with ease. But if they are razorbacks like our aussie hogs 200 pounders would prolly have better than an inch of armour up front so 55gn may be a little light.

felix cortinas · 02-15-2008, 10:33 AM

Farmer, the feral pigs around here are a mixture, a lot look like domestics with the same markings etc. but we have lots of Russian Boar that are very different than the ferals. they got wiry tough hair, the tusks and are really tough to kill. I nailed me a big boar wednesday evening with my .308, 150 gr. remington core lokt (they do a helluva job at a half of the new bullets out there) some ranchers and farmers even pay hunters to come out and trap and kill hogs, they are thicker than fleas here.

Farmer · 02-17-2008, 02:14 AM

Ok, so you have both, then 55gn is a little light, although i have shot more than 100 with my cz527 with 55gn, but im a head shooter, so its kill or miss.

BUT, before anyone complains, my new K31 is my new pig gun.

irish murphy · 02-17-2008, 03:40 AM

Have seen big pigs dropped with 55gn/60gn pills from a 22/250 and 223.A bit to marginal for me.A mate has a 243 and he is using 85gn pills and even those on very large cranky pigs are marginal.I prefer something with a bit larger and heavier(30cal,or303) pills for big pigs.I used to hunt pigs with a bow and know what its like to have to run and climb a tree.I dont have to anymore.Use enough gun and shoot straight.

02-07-2008, 08:45 PM	#1
felix cortinas Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 144	.243 55 grain ballistic silvertip I am planning on shooting coyotes with the Winchester 55 gr. .243 ballistic silvertip, any input and will they hold up to a big (#200 plus) hog. I have heard nays and yeas.

02-08-2008, 08:18 AM	#3
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,475	I wouldn't . . . In my opinion, this is just too light a bullet for a hog of the size you mention. However, the .243 does come factory loaded with heavier bullets. I suggest practice for good hit placement to make the .243 a good 200# hog killer. Note: a wounded hog can be a major safety issue so do try for a one shot kill. Last edited by nathangdad; 02-09-2008 at 12:45 AM. Reason: correction

02-08-2008, 09:29 PM	#4
felix cortinas Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 144	.243 ammo my deer lease is loaded with hogs, last year we either trapped or shot over 600. I normally use a .308 and carry a .45 colt (with buffalo bore 260 grain for backup) I just wanted to carry the .243 for coyotes and you never know what will show up, my .308 is a hvy bbl. 26" and I like to carry a shorter rifle at times.

02-09-2008, 07:53 PM	#6
felix cortinas Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 144	hogs My lease is surrounded by 2 large ranches, with over 8,000 acres each. there is plenty to eat and they are thick as I have ever seen them (this is in southern Gonzales county in south central Texas) they got plenty of our corn, acorns and other game to eat. it is all low fenced and we have a good running creek going thru our place, that helps.

02-13-2008, 07:06 PM	#7
killer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the rat race Posts: 905 Images: 6	Haaaa...you must be awful sick of eating pork! Some day I'll have to get down and try some porker hunting. Got a few friends from your State on other forums always wanting to try bear hunting up in my part of Minnesota. We keep talking about meeting up. My guess is kind of similar hunting. I think bear and pork are related somewhat? We sure like to stick a domestic pig over the grill up here for party's, usually the whole hog in a big ole grill. We got guys that make a good part time living weekends grilling whole hogs for party's. __________________ "Yeee Hawww...I'm a cowboy on an iron horse." Killer's cabin: http://buckmountainchateau.com/

02-08-2008, 03:56 AM	#2
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	You dont use varmint bullets on thick,tough skinned animals unless you are planning on a disaster.The 55gr works great on thin skinned animals but for hogs I would go 80gr or heavier. sam.

02-14-2008, 04:48 AM	#8
Farmer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Limbri NSW Au Posts: 296	Ive seen some photos of hogs in texas and they al seem to be wild domestics, not razorbacks, is this right, if it is a well placed 55gn at 4000fps plus would do them with ease. But if they are razorbacks like our aussie hogs 200 pounders would prolly have better than an inch of armour up front so 55gn may be a little light. __________________ Cheers, Rob

02-15-2008, 10:33 AM	#9
felix cortinas Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 144	hog ammo Farmer, the feral pigs around here are a mixture, a lot look like domestics with the same markings etc. but we have lots of Russian Boar that are very different than the ferals. they got wiry tough hair, the tusks and are really tough to kill. I nailed me a big boar wednesday evening with my .308, 150 gr. remington core lokt (they do a helluva job at a half of the new bullets out there) some ranchers and farmers even pay hunters to come out and trap and kill hogs, they are thicker than fleas here.

02-17-2008, 02:14 AM	#10
Farmer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Limbri NSW Au Posts: 296	Ok, so you have both, then 55gn is a little light, although i have shot more than 100 with my cz527 with 55gn, but im a head shooter, so its kill or miss. BUT, before anyone complains, my new K31 is my new pig gun. __________________ Cheers, Rob

02-17-2008, 03:40 AM	#11
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,028 Blog Entries: 5	Have seen big pigs dropped with 55gn/60gn pills from a 22/250 and 223.A bit to marginal for me.A mate has a 243 and he is using 85gn pills and even those on very large cranky pigs are marginal.I prefer something with a bit larger and heavier(30cal,or303) pills for big pigs.I used to hunt pigs with a bow and know what its like to have to run and climb a tree.I dont have to anymore.Use enough gun and shoot straight.