.243 loads

fleaflea33 · 10-04-2007, 03:01 AM

Hello guys, I'm planning on hunting coyotes this winter with a .243 I would like to shoot a factory round that would be somewhat gentle on the pelts.My question is any .243 shooters found a good round out there? I probably will be shooting less than 200 yards and most shots will probably be less than 100 yds.

samuel · 10-04-2007, 03:48 AM

Any load that is suitable for deer is going to be more pelt friendly than varmint loads because of less bullet upset or expansion,especially at ranges under 200yds.A bullet designed for penetration on thicker animals has less expansion and zips through causing less pelt damage on thinner animals.The variant is wheather it strikes bone causing it to expand or tumble.The shorter range you shoot the more damage you will have because the higher velocity makes the bullet expand faster.Varmint bullets like Hornady 55-58gr vmax or Speer 70gr TNT expand very rapidly and make big holes.(this is experience with several pelts)I once shot a fox at 143yds.The bullet entered at the back center of the rib cage on the right side and exited 3" in front of the left hind leg leaving a 2" hole.I was using 80gr fbsp,s at 2900fps.I made similar shots on coyotes with virtually no pelt damage.My choice at short range 200yds and under using a 1in9"or 10" twist would be a 100gr bthp because of its controlled expansion.Stay away from varmint class bullets. sam.

fleaflea33 · 10-04-2007, 04:31 AM

Thanks for some input. My .243 loves rem 100 grain psp I'll give them a try. My 16 year old son shot a bobcat with a .30-30 150 grain with no pelt damage.

10-04-2007, 03:01 AM	#1
fleaflea33 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4	.243 loads Hello guys, I'm planning on hunting coyotes this winter with a .243 I would like to shoot a factory round that would be somewhat gentle on the pelts.My question is any .243 shooters found a good round out there? I probably will be shooting less than 200 yards and most shots will probably be less than 100 yds.

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10-04-2007, 03:48 AM	#2
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,655	Any load that is suitable for deer is going to be more pelt friendly than varmint loads because of less bullet upset or expansion,especially at ranges under 200yds.A bullet designed for penetration on thicker animals has less expansion and zips through causing less pelt damage on thinner animals.The variant is wheather it strikes bone causing it to expand or tumble.The shorter range you shoot the more damage you will have because the higher velocity makes the bullet expand faster.Varmint bullets like Hornady 55-58gr vmax or Speer 70gr TNT expand very rapidly and make big holes.(this is experience with several pelts)I once shot a fox at 143yds.The bullet entered at the back center of the rib cage on the right side and exited 3" in front of the left hind leg leaving a 2" hole.I was using 80gr fbsp,s at 2900fps.I made similar shots on coyotes with virtually no pelt damage.My choice at short range 200yds and under using a 1in9"or 10" twist would be a 100gr bthp because of its controlled expansion.Stay away from varmint class bullets. sam.

10-04-2007, 04:31 AM	#3
fleaflea33 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4	Thanks for some input. My .243 loves rem 100 grain psp I'll give them a try. My 16 year old son shot a bobcat with a .30-30 150 grain with no pelt damage.