.243 Bullet Choice for Coyote

[Mark W]

I'm about to head west for some coyote hunting and will be taking my Rem 700 VLS chambered in 243 Win. for some longer shots. I have loads worked up with Sierra 85 HPBT and 87 Vmax that both provide acceptable accuracy with a slight edge going to the Sierra bullet. Does anyone have experience with either of these projectiles on coyote sized game that would cause me to lean one way or the other? I'm not worried about saving fur, just making them dead.

 

[WyleWD]

Both will dispatch a coyote handily. Have you checked them both for accuracy at say 300-400yds? First shot accuracy is what counts. JME. WD

 

[243winxb]

The Sierra 85 gr hpbt #1530 is good for deer to 200 yds.

Great for groundhogs to 450 yards, for me.

The 75 gr Vmax is good on paper. Have not used it on game.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I'm about to head west for some coyote hunting and will be taking my Rem 700 VLS chambered in 243 Win. for some longer shots. I have loads worked up with Sierra 85 HPBT and 87 Vmax that both provide acceptable accuracy with a slight edge going to the Sierra bullet. Does anyone have experience with either of these projectiles on coyote sized game that would cause me to lean one way or the other? I'm not worried about saving fur, just making them dead.

Either will get it done.. Have fun and good luck

 

[284winner]

Assuming your Rem 700 is a 9 twist, the 95 berger vld is a great bullet for coyotes if your not worried about hide damage and will reach out at the longest ranges with great accuracy. This bullet is also a very good for deer.

 

[MQ1]

Mark,

My .243 shot the 80 gr Berger best...it is not known as a terribly explosive bullet, but the last coyote that was shot with this load was just under 500 yards and knocked a baseball sized exit wound through a broadside lung shot...I've sure either of your bullet choices will do as good or better.

MQ1

 

[Mark W]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I have yet to shoot either of these loads past 100 yards but I have time for one more range trip. I'll use the opportunity to gather some chrony data and confirm my dial ups at 300 yards with StrelokPro on my iPad. Unless something changes at longer distances I'm leaning toward using the 85 HPBT.

 

[swd]

Coyotes aren't had to kill. My go to coyote rifles are a 22 Hornet and a 17 Rem. Any bullet that will expand in a coyote will make it very dead.

 

[22DASHER]

I wouldn't say coyotes are easy to kill...yes most of the time. But, I have shot my fair share and some have made it several hundred yards with baseball sized holes behind their front shoulders. No joke. Shot one a few years back with my 22-250 AI and 55 grain ballistic tips going 4150 at 250 yards on a dead sprint across the field. Could have sworn up and down that I watched him flip ass over tee kettle and not miss a beat after I shot. Never got a second shot before he entered the wood line. Found his tracks in the snow and sure enough found the spot where he rolled....tracked him for 200 yards with a massive blood trail until I found him dead. They can be tough ass critters when they want to be.

OP. That 87 grain v-max will be your best friend.

 

[trader steve]

I'm with 22dasher.i have some dead coyotes.lol jump and run myself.i don't count them dead till load in truck.i use either 70or75 HP in 243.53gr match up in 220swift. I have hunted coyotes most of my life and foxes.there so geared up at times I don't think they know they been shot.hunting isn't always one shot kills in my world.

 

[boltfluter]

Hands down the 87 V-max, will kill at any distance you can place the shot. This is my go to bullet in my 6 Dasher coyote rifle.

Bang, flop.

Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[370bc]

I love the berger 88's, but they are not explosive enough for me. I Switched to the 87 Vamx and I am going to separate by Ojive measurements to reduce fliers.

 

[waterfwlr]

I love the berger 88's, but they are not explosive enough for me. I Switched to the 87 Vamx and I am going to separate by Ojive measurements to reduce fliers.

^^^^^^this^^^^^

 

[stacy]

I HAVE HAD GOOD RESULTS WITH 75 GR VMAX IN MY 243 ACKLEY AT 3700 FPS THEY WILL MAKE HOLES SIZE OF GRAPEFURITS ON IMPACT SOME TIMES

 

[Mark W]

I made it out this morning a did some more testing. After getting a chance to analyze the results I'm going with the 87 V-Max. It was close but the V-Max was a little more consistent on paper and actually had an edge on velocity with slightly less powder.

In addition to the .243 I will be taking a 1:8 twist AR pushing 65 Gr Sierra Gamekings at 2800 fps as well as my CZ 527 Varmint in .223. The CZ will be loaded with Sierra 63 Gr SMP over Varget at 3000 fps.

We leave PA for Eastern Colorado on Wednesday night and should be hunting by mid afternoon on Friday Hopefully I'll have some pics to post shortly afterwards.

 

[370bc]

Coyotes aren't had to kill. My go to coyote rifles are a 22 Hornet and a 17 Rem. Any bullet that will expand in a coyote will make it very dead.

I have had coyotes take 2 hits from a 270 win w/110 Vmax and still get away. One hits with 130 Berger hunting, berger 88 varmint in 243. The Yotes in my neck of the woods are tough, tough, tough, like the rolling stones say.

 

[Patton243]

87 V Max is a strong candidate, but I now use the 95 grain Sierra tipped Matching which shoots better than the 87 and has a higher BC. It's a newer bullet, but they're very accurate with H4831 SC or 47.5 grains of H1000. I use Lapua brass.

 

[AckleymanII]

Coyotes have a will to live that is simply unreal. If you hit them behind the diaphragm, they can still keep breathing, but 243 caiber bullets have a lot of punch.

My favorite bullet in 6mm is the Sierra 80g Blitz bt, it is awesome to say the least, provides the loudest PLOP of any bullet I have ever shot...no kidding. IMR 4064, Max load for the rifle, fed 210 is 3400+ and unreal accurate in most factory & Custom rifles.

We killed a LOT of coyotes with the Sierra 60g HP loaded with hot loads of WIN 760 with a fed 210, and VARGET works extremely well with this bullet.

I like bullets that blow up a coyote, 80g Berger put quarter size holes in them, 69g Berger did not go through on many occasions, neither did the 68g Berger...hide hunters love this.

S. Arizona coyotes were the toughest I have ever seen.

 

[Barlow]

I use the 87gr Vmax and it works well, but many others would work just as well. Find what is the most accurate in your rifle and use it. Barlow

 

[Alguapo]

Shot a Remington 788 in .243 (short barrel, 18.5 in.) back in the early 80's. I then discovered the .224 bullets and rifles. Since then our go to guns are the 4000 ft/sec. + 20 Calibers. Wyoming always had the wind and would play havoc with accuracy. I found the 87 grn. Hornady BTHP to work real well on Pdogs and anything larger (anything ranchers wanted gone). Your not worried about the fur so let em blow.