Ruger M77 Hawkeye in .243?

[rks1949]

I just picked up this gun to use coyote hunting. I wanted a "lighter" sporter to carry. (I'm getting old) and the bull barrel guns seem to wear me out while carrying them. This gun has a 22 inch barrel,and I was wondering what kind of range I should expect from it? Any load info for a "short barrell would be apreciated. I did pick up a couple boxes of Hornady Superformance Varmit shells to shoot in it,but they are very hot (box claims 3925fps. with a 58gr. V-Max bullet). I don't think the short barrel will produce that velocity,though? Any loads/information will be greatly apreciated! The barrel has a 1 in 9 RH twist. Ron

 

[15Tango]

I had a 26" .243 and was able to get 105 VLDs up to 3200 FPS, you should have no problem getting it up to 3000 FPS with a 22" if not more. Even at 3000 FPS, the 105 VLD doesn't drop below the speed of sound to 1400 yards. Just sayin' . . . You've got plenty O range still with a 22" barrel. That cartridge is pretty underrated I found from my playing around with it. I think you'll be surprised.

Wayne

 

[rks1949]

Thanks,Wayne! I don't know why I grabbed up the Superformance ammo though? I don't think the short barrel will come anywhere close to the "advertised" velocity of 3925fps. I'll be trying all kinds of bullets/powders,to see if I can get her driving tacks! ;D Ron

 

[jonbearman]

You will only loose about 10fps per inch roughly.Those loads are hot but hornady claims the powder burns at a lower temp.Please tell us what kind of groups you get with it.

 

[15Tango]

The lightest I ever tried was the 65 grain Amax and I couldn't get them to group well, I think it just plain had to jump too much. For coyote I'd try the 87 grain Vmax and 95 grain VLD. I tried R17 with some pretty light bullets, I went all the way down to 70 grain Noslers with it. If you want to try and retain some velocity it might be the powder to try. I bet wish some experimenting you could get one of those 87 Vmaxes up to 3400 give or take and that's going to be plenty flat shooting.

Wayne

 

[rks1949]

You will only loose about 10fps per inch roughly.Those loads are hot but hornady claims the powder burns at a lower temp.Please tell us what kind of groups you get with it.

I will,Jon! ;D I've had about every cal. gun there is for varmint hunting,but for some reason,I've never owned a .243? ??? I think the 58gr. bullet will be a little too light,for what I intend to use the gun for, (shooting coyotes at longer ranges),that won't come in/ or "hang up" while calling. Those bullets should be fun though (3925fps.),that's zipping along! LOL! Ron

 

[rks1949]

The lightest I ever tried was the 65 grain Amax and I couldn't get them to group well, I think it just plain had to jump too much. For coyote I'd try the 87 grain Vmax and 95 grain VLD. I tried R17 with some pretty light bullets, I went all the way down to 70 grain Noslers with it. If you want to try and retain some velocity it might be the powder to try. I bet wish some experimenting you could get one of those 87 Vmaxes up to 3400 give or take and that's going to be plenty flat shooting.

Wayne

Thanks, for the info,Wayne! That's the bullet weight I'm looking at! I want it to "buck" the wind pretty well,as most of our calling is in areas that are flat,and wide open country (there's allways a wind blowing,out there) ;D. Seem that the majority of the shots are at 300-500 yds. Some time they (coyotes) come in close (200 yds. or less), but most hang up way out there. Ron

 

[mattri]

Might also take a lokk at the 70grn Nosler Ballistic Tips. They are very accurate and shoot flat as a pancake. Dropped a pronghorn @ 350, didn't even twitch.

 

[olehunter]

this ole guy used to hunt coyotes with my sako LSA 55 243 i used 75 gr hollow points with 43 gr of h414 . fast enough to see the bullet strike before the muzzle jump. and the bullet will break up if it hits anything at all. important around here , may be a farm just over the hill. if you try this remember this is a max load !!! for my rifle. may be over pressure in some others.