Hey all, I’ve recently bought a custom DNA firearms AR-10 in .243 and would like some suggestions on some fur friendly rounds. I’ve heard Nosler partition is good, but haven’t seen any results. I’ve heard VMAX and Nosler BT are good as well, but mainly I’m wanting to know what you guys shoot. I’m 100% okay with holes that are 1/4-1 3/4 inch because I can sew those up. Just looking for something pelt friendly, but won’t have a coyote running half way across the state.
Fur friendly 243 load?
- Thread starter Decanno1
- Start date
Depending on shot placement & angle, i'd steer away from the Partition & Ballistic Tips for coyote.
I've had a head on shot with the Ballistic Tip that went in a little high. Split open the whole length of the back, and blew apart the hips.
Granted, 25 caliber, but i'd expect same results from 6mm.
If you can find some HP Sierra Varminters or the BlitzKings, they perform well.
I've had a head on shot with the Ballistic Tip that went in a little high. Split open the whole length of the back, and blew apart the hips.
Granted, 25 caliber, but i'd expect same results from 6mm.
If you can find some HP Sierra Varminters or the BlitzKings, they perform well.
The Sierra 60 gr HP is very fur friendly as long as the range isn't to far. Shot placement is critical. Many times they don't exit. Good luck!
Paul
Paul
I’ll see if I can get my hands on some, might have to go with a factory load if I can’t find any
What length barrel, how fast do you want to push the bullet?
I've only loaded for coyote once and I didn't process the hides on the ones that I took. The fellow who did work the hides said he only had two 24 caliber holes but the shock did heavy internal damage.
I used a 6MM Remington, at that time Hornady made an 85 grain FMJ and I pushed it at 3,500+ FPS. I took 3 from around 400 to 600 yards all dropped on the spot.
So a tough bullet pushed hard worked for me.
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pdhntr
Silver $$ Contributor
If you are looking to skin and process the hide for sale, I would check out the fur prices before I decided anything. I see you are from Minnesota and I am from Wisconsin and the fur prices haven't been worth doing ANYTHING with them. It wouldn't surprise me if they weren't buying at all this year. Our coyotes have a bad reputation on the market. Most markets are filled with western or Canadian fur.
That said, I killed a pile of coyotes with the 70 gr. Speer TNT and it worked very well. Went in and didn't come out and very few splashes. The Nosler partition works also, it will go through, but usually leaves a small hole going out.
And the rest of the story is that you likely won't find either of those for sale and have to end up using what you have or can find that is available. It's a tough world with respect to bullet availability.
Good luck.
Jim
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
We shot a lot of coyotes with the Sierra 60g HP, holes were not large. Of course, when bones become secondary projectiles, you get gaping holes with any caliber.
I have no experience with a 55g Nosler, 58g V max.
I have a friend that thought that the 69g berger was not going to tear up hides in his 6x47L, he found out that at 3700 fps, he got holes.
For many years, I shot the Sierra 80g Single shot pistol bullets and the 80g Sierra Blitz Bt, and at 3400 with a hot load of IMR 4064, they made some holes in hides.
We used a max load of Win 760 in the 243 for the 60g Sierra, 3750-3850fps, holes were not big, and very dead coyotes.
I have no experience with a 55g Nosler, 58g V max.
I have a friend that thought that the 69g berger was not going to tear up hides in his 6x47L, he found out that at 3700 fps, he got holes.
For many years, I shot the Sierra 80g Single shot pistol bullets and the 80g Sierra Blitz Bt, and at 3400 with a hot load of IMR 4064, they made some holes in hides.
We used a max load of Win 760 in the 243 for the 60g Sierra, 3750-3850fps, holes were not big, and very dead coyotes.
I let, the Crows and Buzzards,.. SKIN my Yotes !
The Berger, 95 grain Classic Hunter from, my Braked, 6 XC at, 3,100 FPS Plus, reaches out and,..
the Cold Wind and Longer distances, doesn't seem to, bother it, much !
USE, a FAST .22-250 Rem. Load with, Tiny 40-53 grain, HP's or,.. V- Max, ELD-M or, Bal Tip's,.. IF, skinning
The Berger, 95 grain Classic Hunter from, my Braked, 6 XC at, 3,100 FPS Plus, reaches out and,..
the Cold Wind and Longer distances, doesn't seem to, bother it, much !
USE, a FAST .22-250 Rem. Load with, Tiny 40-53 grain, HP's or,.. V- Max, ELD-M or, Bal Tip's,.. IF, skinning
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Jeff Porter
Gold $$ Contributor
58 Vmax - Bang- Flop no exit wounds in a bolt action 243
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
I agree with Ackleyman on the little 60 gr Sierras. At least they often don't exit. If they do, well it's anyones guess -- sometimes pretty bad.
I started out using my 243 for my calling rifle, and soon decided it was just too much rifle for hides. The flesh side of many of my hides looked like Frankenstein. I soon switched over to a 222, and the time spent stitching went waaaayyyy down.
Funny thing I've gotta mention, early on I got a box of full jacket Hornady, I think 85 grain; they exploded dogs as bad as anything. I've had guys over the years tell me different.
jd
I started out using my 243 for my calling rifle, and soon decided it was just too much rifle for hides. The flesh side of many of my hides looked like Frankenstein. I soon switched over to a 222, and the time spent stitching went waaaayyyy down.
Funny thing I've gotta mention, early on I got a box of full jacket Hornady, I think 85 grain; they exploded dogs as bad as anything. I've had guys over the years tell me different.
jd22in Proof Research barrel in a 10 twist. After reading everything online including this, I might just make this my coyote and hog rifle and just grab a .223 next
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
An AR10 is NOT going to be a fast swinging rig to carry around, on the same level as a Rem 700 Varmint or heavier, eh?
I’ve got a Really Right Stuff tripod that I’m throwing it on. Allows for stability and mobility, but it’s on the heavy side unfortunately
https://www.speer.com/bullets/rifle_bullets/hot-cor_rifle_bullet/19-1217.html
you can get these direct from Speer.
you can get these direct from Speer.
When the locals around here don't need to reach most use 22 magnums for coyote. Many use the 223 if they need to go out to 200. I used my 6MM because the situation called for reach. The boys I was with used 223's but got a 6MM and now use both.
That just solidifies what I might do. Just use nosler partitions for em until I get a .223 and I’m the meantime look for fur friendly rounds for that
Plenty of solid 22 caliber projectiles available, pushing them hard will provide some shock. I understand the 6MM for range but even then nothing smaller than a 243 pushed hard with a solidly constructed bullet.
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
6mm Remington, 60g Sierra, 50g of Win 760, Win brass, 210 primer shoots tiny holes in many Rem's and customs, touch the lands with the bullets. Quarter to silver dollar size exits. For the 243 Ain, start at 47g and work up slowly.
STS
Silver $$ Contributor
Fur is practically worthless right now. I talked to a buyer that I've sold to in the past, and he said that only the absolute best, xl pale white belly hides with no holes would be bought. They would be worth $5. Those are the same hides I sold 3 years ago for $100 on the carcass. So it really doesn't matter what you shoot them with right now. The market will take a turn for the better at some point and then bullet selection will be more important. I'd stay away from the light V-max and B-tips. They can be really hard on fur, especially at the velocity that a .243 can drive them. As mentioned above the 60 Sierra works pretty well but has the BC of a brick. Any of the tougher 6mm stuff will work OK with a hole in and out and a short run. About any of them work well on a frontal shot. Here's todays $5 coyote that was sold for $85 on the cob 3 years ago.
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