.243 for coyotes ?

[spoonman]

I'm looking into a .243 for coyote hunting. It will be used strictly for coyotes and other small game, I won't use it for deer at all cause I hunt shotgun only areas for deer. I've looked into the ballistics on a few different calibers and the .243 is what I have settled on I think. Just kinda seeing what you guys think about round selection and also what rifle I should be looking at? I know I'm going to get a bunch of different answers and opinions but that's what I want.  I currently use my bow for yotes but would like to get into rifle hunting for them! Any info is much appreciated!

[DRobnsn]

Have you looked into AR platforms for the 243? If I were looking for a dedicated Coyote gun that's the direction I would lean.

[HUNTaHOLIC5]

Do you plan on doing long range shooting? Also will you be saving the hide?

[jdb]

.243 is not the most fur friendly but it is a great coyote caliber. I'd buy a team. Model 7 and shoot nosler 70 gr ballistic tips

[rtspring]

I use the Savage Axis in .243, anything over 400 yds the .300 RUM is my backup. 

[horsehunter509]

I bought a tikka t3 superlite in 243 recently and have only put about 25 rds thru it but am really happy so far. Got it set up with a vx3 and gotta figure out what load i want so i can send in for my cds dial. Should make a great coyote gun out to about 600

[yorketransport]

I use the Savage Axis in .243, anything over 400 yds the .300 RUM is my backup.

I like the rapid escalation of force.

.243 is not the most fur friendly but it is a great coyote caliber.

The last critter I shot with a 243 was raccoon at about 225 yards with a 75gr V-max. I'd agree that it's not a terribly fur friendly caliber.

Andrew

[spoonman]

Not sure about keeping any of the fur, maybe one or two. There are a couple of spots that are longer distances(400-600) that I hunt. I've shot long distance as of lately but that's been with my 338, not going to use for coyotes😀 . I guess at some point there may be a small chance I may deer hunt with it but not likely, I love close quarters shotgun hunting!

[AWS]

The 58gr Vmax has been pretty fur friendly if I stay away from the edges.  I'm shooting them about 3600+fps out of a 6mm-204 Ruger.  That is on our larger northern heavily furred çoyotes, I took it to NM and it didn't do near as well, they get pretty messy.  I haven't had any luck keeping a full power 243 from messing up a coyote, after a couple I gave up on it as a coyote rifle as I try to save the pelts.  For just killing çoyotes it is pretty nice.  My favorite pelt hunting rifle is a 22-204 pushing 40gr NBT's at near 4000 fps.  I've had good luck on pelts with the 52 gr Speer HP FB out of my 5.6x50R Mag and 22-250.

[PolarBear]

My Daughter's .243 Remington 700 SPS is now my go to coyote rifle.  We use 100 gr and don't care about hides, I just want them dead!  It is a good round even out to 500 yds on dogs.

[Bofire]

Tikka T3 lite stainless,243 ,3.5X10 VXiii, has been my go to coyote rifle for about 5-6 years. 100 grain blue box federal. Knock the crap out of coyotes at any range you can hit them my farthest to date is 450 yards. also knock the crap out of deer but I will not shoot at game with it over 350 yards the little bullet is losing energy.
Carl

[C-Money]

I shoot a 100gr Hornaday interlock boat tail. Its what the family uses for deer, so its what we use for yotes too! A 70gr load would be absolutely awesome for coyote/varmint shooting. The .243 is a really good round.

[spoonman]

Awesome thanks for all the comments and suggestions!  I'm going rifle shopping this weekend so I hope to find something that feels good that I don't have to spend a load of money on.

[demontang]

I've used the 243 55 gr nosler bt and they are decent on fur if you stay away from the shoulder and edges. I've wacked  a few with them the 95gr bt are just nasty on the fur. I've had a mossberg bantam that shot lights out and the wife has a ruger m77 mark2  that is just as good but a nicer gun.

[Evil_EdwardO]

I use a Tikka T3 lite in .243 and have had luck using 80g soft points without too much fur damage.

[theleo]

I shoot a 100gr Hornaday interlock boat tail. Its what the family uses for deer, so its what we use for yotes too! A 70gr load would be absolutely awesome for coyote/varmint shooting. The .243 is a really good round.

Mine prefers the flat base version of the Interlock. That bullet can really ruin a coyotes day and it's a heck of a deer killer to boot!

[C-Money]

I shoot a 100gr Hornaday interlock boat tail. Its what the family uses for deer, so its what we use for yotes too! A 70gr load would be absolutely awesome for coyote/varmint shooting. The .243 is a really good round.

Mine prefers the flat base version of the Interlock. That bullet can really ruin a coyotes day and it's a heck of a deer killer to boot!

I started loading flat base interlocks...grabbed a box of boat tails last time. Did not see a difference in my rifle, lucky for me! And yes! They do work great on deer! Love that bullet in the .243 

[VarmintVentilator]

If hides are not an issue spoonman then your 100gr. - 105gr. bullet will do everything you want clear out to really long distances.  Your 400-600 yd range is not a problem for a killing distance.  You can actually double that distance.  I've seen it done many times.  243 is just a great caliber to hunt with.

[RadSav]

Hard to find a much better varmint cartridge IMO.  I went from a 22-250 to a 222 and then the 243.  Was no question which one gave me the edge past 250 yards.  Hide friendly options are only a bullet away.  Myself I don't care about the hide.  So I shot whatever grouped the best.  I have seen few .243 rifles that didn't shoot lights out.  Buy whatever turns your crank and you can afford.  I think you will be pleased with the results whatever it is.

[Mxracer532]

I use my .243 with 95gn VLD's. At close range alot of times I don't have an exit or its a nickel sized exit. BUT I have had some absolutely devastating exits. I wanted this to be a do both gun\load as I had the 6.5-20 Leupold sent back and a turret installed to my specific load. My sisters/nephew has killed many deer out to 520yards. If it was more coyote specific I would load 87gn Bergers.

[spoonman]

Thanks again for all the input guys. I ended up with a model 10 savage in camo with accu stock and accu trigger. I am shooting 75 grain hornady v max right now and getting great groups! I have a burris fullfield II scope right now but want to upgrade soon. I am not looking to shoot out to a 1000 yards or anything but I like the idea of being able to dial my yardage in as opposed to holding over. Would like to hear all your suggestions! Thanks!

[Mxracer532]

Thanks again for all the input guys. I ended up with a model 10 savage in camo with accu stock and accu trigger. I am shooting 75 grain hornady v max right now and getting great groups! I have a burris fullfield II scope right now but want to upgrade soon. I am not looking to shoot out to a 1000 yards or anything but I like the idea of being able to dial my yardage in as opposed to holding over. Would like to hear all your suggestions! Thanks!

Vortex HS-T LR 6.5-24x50

[VarmintVentilator]

I have that scope on my 243.  There is better glass out there, but the turrets have always been spot on.   

[JJB11B]

I know a guy that shoots a .220 swift and backs it up with a Lazzeroni Warbird.....Neither are terribly fur friendly

[mountainman]

Thanks again for all the input guys. I ended up with a model 10 savage in camo with accu stock and accu trigger. I am shooting 75 grain hornady v max right now and getting great groups! I have a burris fullfield II scope right now but want to upgrade soon. I am not looking to shoot out to a 1000 yards or anything but I like the idea of being able to dial my yardage in as opposed to holding over. Would like to hear all your suggestions! Thanks!

Vortex HS-T LR 6.5-24x50

[jdb]

Thanks again for all the input guys. I ended up with a model 10 savage in camo with accu stock and accu trigger. I am shooting 75 grain hornady v max right now and getting great groups! I have a burris fullfield II scope right now but want to upgrade soon. I am not looking to shoot out to a 1000 yards or anything but I like the idea of being able to dial my yardage in as opposed to holding over. Would like to hear all your suggestions! Thanks!

leupold vxIII 4.5x14cds

[RadSav]

leupold vxIII 4.5x14cds

Wow, that's small!

[jdb]

Ok I don't see it! What did I do??

[RadSav]

Ok I don't see it! What did I do??

I think it should be ...x42 or ...x50.  ...x14 would give you front class of about 1/2".  I assume you meant 4-14X42or50 CDS.  Not that it matters.  I like simple mistakes.  They make the infonet funner!

BTW - That is the scope I've been running on my varmint and short mags.  Has been a wonderful scope.