243AI question - 80 gr or 88 gr Berger Varmint for coyote pelts?

[kdogg]

I am trying to decide between the 80 gr and 88 gr Berger varmint bullets for the most coyote pelt friendly in my 243AI. I want to stay in the 80 plus weight gr catagory for the highest BC possible. Anyone with experience using these bullets please educate me.

Thank you!
Ken

 

[Brians356]

I'm eager to read replies from anyone actually using these Berger varmint bullets on coyotes.

However, my hunch is your 243 AI will be launching the 88 at least 3400 fps, and the 80-gr at around 3600 fps. I simply don't see how a coyote would contain them. I would expect a large exit wound in most cases.

Brian

 

[xdeano]

Ive messed with the 90 bergers in my old 243 and leave large holes, id imagine you might get similar response from the 88s. Then again they are a flat base so they might fair pretty well. The 88s being a varmint round they might have very thin jackets and might come apart pretty quick.

After using the 90 bergers with damage i switched to a hornady 87grn match. They were actually very decent on fur. They were also a good duel duty round for deer. Bc of .376

I also tried some of the sierra 85grn hpbt and 85grn gameking, both worked decent on fur and deer.

All that being said, give the 88s a try, id like to hear the results. Try them on a few spring coyotes.

Xdeano

 

[kdogg]

xdeano,

Thanks again - I always enjoy your thoughtful input. I will try the 88 Berger, and let you know. I don't get out there as much as you, so it might take a little time to gather enough data.

Ken

 

[johnmyers]

Sierra 80 Blitz should do what you're looking for

 

[kjcpoint]

I shot a 70gr Berger varmint bullet out of my 243ai for coyotes. Not a fur friendly at all.
I would look to a spire point of some sort.

Kyle

 

[stacy]

I shoot 87gr vld's bergers but there not to friendly out of my 243 Ackley w/H4350

 

[xdeano]

Well ken,
That solves the problem. These are the next option;
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/497960/hornady-bullets-243-caliber-6mm-243-diameter-87-grain-hollow-point-boat-tail-box-of-100?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Now good luck finding them.

Xdeano

 

[Brians356]

I've got some older Berger 74-gr flat-base MEF ("Max Exp_____n Factor") if you want them. Wide opening hollowpoint, very accurate out of my 1970s R-700, but no longer available, so once these are shot up they're gone. Moly-coated however. I have about 150 of them. I don't think there was a more frangible design that was still accurate.

I've also got most of a box of 65-grain V-max, but again they're moly-coated. I don't plan to use them.

Brian

 

[kdogg]

Bryan,

Thanks for the offer, but I'm familiar with the Berger MEFs, and I'm affraid they will do too much damage on coyotes.

Thank you also to all the posters. It looks like I will work with the 87-88gr hollow points and hope for promising results.

Ken

 

[Brians356]

Thanks for the offer, but I'm familiar with the Berger MEFs, and I'm affraid they will do too much damage on coyotes.

Well, I'm not a fur hunter - the more damage they do to the prairie wolves, the better. Rock chucks should disintegrate appropriately as well.

I've decided to start loading these MEFs, and I'm going to use Superformance, which pushes 75-gr bullets at 3637 fps from a 6mm Rem with a 24" barrel (according to Hodgdon) and I expect 3780 from my 26".

That oughta larn 'em.

Brian

 

[MQ1]

Kdogg,

My hunting partner shot a coyote at 500 yards with my .243 and a 80 Berger varmint...it blew a baseball size chunk out of the exit side...not at all fur friendly.

That being stated, I've heard rumor that a 70 TNT may not necessarily exit...I have no experience yet, but the accuracy and velocity of those bullets in my 243AI are outstanding.

Unless you are looking beyond 500 yards, I would think the TNTs will surprise you.

MQ1

 

[Brians356]

Kdogg,

I've heard rumor that a 70 TNT may not necessarily exit...I have no experience yet, but the accuracy and velocity of those bullets in my 243AI are outstanding.

The TNT bullets are a best buy in my book, but I'm partial to Speer anyway (I grew up in Lewiston - know the family.)

I shoot the 50-gr in 223, 87-gr in 250 Ackley, and 90-gr in 270.

Brian

 

[boltfluter]

I have had very good results with the 87 gr, V-max. But, you must place the shot either straight on or through the shoulder. Most of the time they do not exit. Good luck.

Regards, paul


www.boltfluting.com

 

[SeabeeKen]

Ken
Have you tried the Barnes 62 gr varmint grenades?

 

[littlebuddybr]

Berger 88's will do to much damage on the exit. I have shot a couple with them.
Try the v-max's