243 for yotes. Need your opinion

[Gutpile]

Last year I bought a T3 light in .243 for coyotes. I love the rifle but am torn on the caliber. Let me start off by saying I've only shot 3 coyotes with this rifle but I'm just not impressed so far. It's hard to judge with only three kills so thats why I'm posting here. I'm running 55 grn B-tips at 3700 fps (chrono'd). I've shot two of them broadside and unlike a centerfire .22 they ran after the hit. One yesterday made it a good 70 yards before piling. Another that I think I hit got away. I think I hit it because it ran off, fell and rolled, then got up and ran again. I couldn't find blood but being colorblind thats extremely difficult for me. So my question is; do you guys actually get bang flops with the .243 on broadsides? What loads are you using?

Oh, BTW the frontal yesterday at 100 yards exiting. It was quartering hard towards me shot was perfect but did exit. Never would have with a 22-250, 220 swift, or a .223

Think I'll set the .243 aside until shots are longer later in the season or I'll use it for snowy weather only. Kind of bummed though as I wanted the 243 to add a little long range punch. Hope I didn't make a mistake.

[stumprat]

Maybe on the couple you have shot were shot placement issues.
The guys that I have called with that use a .243 have sworn by them.

I hear you on the color blind tracking issue

[Bofire]

 :)wrong bullet, might as well use a 22-250. I use 80 grain soft points meant for deer, kills them quick and punches a 1-2 inch hole right thru. from any angle. In my opinion a much better killer than my 22-250.
Carl

[HighCountryHunter88]

I use a 6mm and love it. 85-87 boat tails puts em down hard with no pelt damage

[VarmintVentilator]

Gutpile, you might try the 65gr. V-max.  I use the 55gr. B-Tip in my 22-250 and it works excellent, but your packin a whole different punch with your 243.  Good luck.

[Gopher]

Agree.......I'd go up to a heavier bullet.

[FALFire]

I used my 243 on one last week using the Nosler 70gr Ball. Tip. It dropped dead in it's tracks at about 80 yards broadside, never flinched. I have some 65gr V-Max bullets loaded up for my 243WSSM AR and have yet to test them out, I'll try to let ya know how they do.

[demontang]

Ive only killed two yotes with the 243 so far. first was a 55gr nosler pushed to 3900fps and it was a kind ofquarting towards shot, no exit and the coyote spin twice before it went down. The second was the 95gr nosler which was pretty nasty , I hit it in the throat and it tore the side of the face and neck off but it was drt not even a twitch. You might try moving up in bullet weight.

[gottatree]

I use a .243 for yotes maybe just a slightly heavier bullet.

[tlbradford]

In my opinion the goal for coyotes should be no billet exits.  If you consistantly do this, you will save fur if you are interested in doing so, and kill quicker.  For me calling coyotes, that is why I prefer the .204 and the vmax or berger bullets.  I don't like thru and thru's because they run farther.  I had way more runners with my .25-06.  I know there are a ton of reloaders out there that have a formula for the .243 to get an entry and no exits.  I am not one of those guys, but that should be the goal you wok towards.

[Gutpile]

In my opinion the goal for coyotes should be no billet exits.  If you consistantly do this, you will save fur if you are interested in doing so, and kill quicker.  For me calling coyotes, that is why I prefer the .204 and the vmax or berger bullets.  I don't like thru and thru's because they run farther.  I had way more runners with my .25-06.  I know there are a ton of reloaders out there that have a formula for the .243 to get an entry and no exits.  I am not one of those guys, but that should be the goal you wok towards.

I agree tl. Thats why I went with the light bullet. I'm surprised to see them run so much with this set up.

 I appreciate everyones response. Wonder though, do the heavier bullets blow the dogs apart? I'm not interested in that. Heck I've got 10 other rifles that'll do that. I'm surprised too that the light fast frangible bullets won't drop them better than the heavier ones. that doesn't make sense. Oh BTW the two broasides that ran were about as good on placement that you could ask for. With any centerfire .22 they'd have been DRT.

Well keep em coming boys and girls.

[LittleJohn]

I have 4 seasons on my Tikka T3 .243 with a 55 gr Nosler BT at a little over 3900 fps. I have had amazing results with it. I would keep using them. I think with just 3 kills you might of got un-lucky on some shot placement. I have found them very damaging to the hides. Huge exit holes if I get into any bone at all. I am not sure on a number of kills but well over 50 in 4 years. I will not change bullets or calibers. Good luck. just my

[FALFire]

I should have added that the dog I shot last week with the 70 grainer made a smalll hole on the exit side, no blow-up, just a bullet sized hole.

[Gutpile]

I should have added that the dog I shot last week with the 70 grainer made a smalll hole on the exit side, no blow-up, just a bullet sized hole.

I'll try the v-max too after I run these out. That wssm must be a smoker. How fast is the load?

[FALFire]

I haven't had time to speed check them yet but the WSSM is a 20" tube and the bolt gun in 243W is 24 so I'm guessing 3300ish??? 

[FALFire]

AND I might add, I was eyeballing that Tikka T3 lite in 243 on Sunday up at Wholesale Sports.................I like it    

I was also considering the T3 in 22-250  or perhaps the T3 in 223 with the 8 twist also 

I really like the 243Win caliber.

[Gutpile]

AND I might add, I was eyeballing that Tikka T3 lite in 243 on Sunday up at Wholesale Sports.................I like it    

I was also considering the T3 in 22-250  or perhaps the T3 in 223 with the 8 twist also  

I really like the 243Win caliber.

I love that rifle. Kind of wonder if I should have got a 22-250 now though.    Gonna head out again on wednesday and see if I can't bloody it some more.  

Or maybe take the old swede out? Hmmmmm

[tlbradford]

I would really look at developing a load for the swede for long range hunting if I were you.  Maybe look at the .243AI as something to play with?   

Good problem to have.

[Gutpile]

I would really look at developing a load for the swede for long range hunting if I were you.  Maybe look at the .243AI as something to play with?   

Good problem to have.

The swede's too heavy for that, once in a while but not as a dedicated calling rifle. Thought converting the Tikka to A.I. but probably wont do it. All I know is they are coming in good right now. I can't wait to get back out there. 

[FALFire]

Yeah, I agree, that Swede is sweet but it's a weight issue. I am actually looking at doing an ultra lightweight 223 for my next hunting AR. I think a 20" barrel might due just fine.

[Bofire]

My Tikka is a stainless T3 lite, 243, I have come to use this gun over a long transition. I still have several T3's but this 243 with the 80 grain Federal at 3350 just smokes em! I like 223 and 22-250 but when it comes to my wanting coyotes DEAD, the 243 gets my nod.
Carl

[Big10gauge]

I'm using a 65grVmax at 3700fps in my .243. I've had 1 coyote that managed to get up after getting hit. It's my go to gun for DRT coyotes. I really don't see much difference pelt wise from a 22-250 shooting a 50 gr Nosler at 3900. In my experience it's a combination that would be hard to beat.

[Jerry malbeck]

The quest for the magic load , it never seems to end . 100% satisfaction under all circumstances ? its impossible to find that load , but we can come close , keep trying and when you find a good one please be sure to share it . 

[rasbo]

poke them in the head...

[demontang]

Yeah it takes a bit to find the best load for your gun and what you want it to do. The 95 bt seem to just put the hurt to them but if your looking for fur friendly Id look at the 22 cal but the 243 isnt to hard on them compared to the vmax out of the .223 from what Ive seen so far Im still going to keep shooting the 55gr and 95gr to see how they average out too.

[280win]

2 degrees outside. T3 lite 70 grain nbt one hole in ,no exit got to love it
280

[high country]

my 243 runs the 55gr pills at 4g's I have yet to have a runner go more then in tight circles. I am thinking you have had a run of bad luck morethen anything. I do not like the 55gr pills if it is windy......playing that much slice is tough.

[CAMPMEAT]

Do any of you guys have the T/C Encore ? You can buy barrels cheaper than going out and buying a whole new setup if you're not quite happy with your $1000 guns. That's what I've done. I've got a 22-250, 26 inch bullbarrel that is a tack drivin', killin' machine. I don't save pelts so it works well for me.

[400out]

Do any of you guys have the T/C Encore ? You can buy barrels cheaper than going out and buying a whole new setup if you're not quite happy with your $1000 guns. That's what I've done. I've got a 22-250, 26 inch bullbarrel that is a tack drivin', killin' machine. I don't save pelts so it works well for me.

I just got to hold one of those the other day and I think it will be my next gun! The only thing I saw that might get bad is the amount of scopes a guy needs to make the easy transformation.

[drysideshooter]

Though I know it's somewhat out of the norm, I have been really satisfied with larger than typical calibers for coyote.

Though I also use a 223, 22-250 or 243, at times I also use a 7x57 Mauser, 7mm Rem Mag,  or 30-06.   I've had good experiences with Sierra Matchking bullets. Even though Sierra says they are intended for target shooting, they can work well on coyote sized animals as well.  I first tried this years ago on wolves in Alaska, hunting them with a 7mag using Matchkings.  Out of the 06 I really like Barnes 165gr banded solids.  With SUBSTANTIALY more energy, hits that would be marginal with a smaller bullet result in a solid put down.  I'm not an "over-gun" kind of guy usually, but in the case of coyotes the bigger bullets can make sense to me, especially in windy conditions.  Of course you have to be responsible and realize that the bullet can travel quite some distance with quite a bit of engergy left after it passes through the animal, and be sure where you are shooting.  I also like that if a big cat happens to come in to a call, or I see one while in the field, I'd be comfortable taking the shot with a larger caliber. Even though I usually shoot 70gr Barnes in my favorite AR I would be hesitant to shoot a big cat with it.  243 would be comfortable though, for me at least

I've had friends bring up the weight issues, and that is a consideration. One of my current favorite calling rifles is a Weatherby Mark V ultra lightweight in 06, which is light and easy to carry all day.  Some days I have trouble deciding between it and an AR though.  I find the Mark V easier to carry, but I really like the fast follow up shots with the AR's.

To the original question of this post though, my son uses a 243 quite a bit for coyote, a Remington 600 BDL with the manlicher type stock.  Great gun for a kid, and it flat knocks coyotes down dead.

[CAMPMEAT]

Do any of you guys have the T/C Encore ? You can buy barrels cheaper than going out and buying a whole new setup if you're not quite happy with your $1000 guns. That's what I've done. I've got a 22-250, 26 inch bullbarrel that is a tack drivin', killin' machine. I don't save pelts so it works well for me.

I just got to hold one of those the other day and I think it will be my next gun! The only thing I saw that might get bad is the amount of scopes a guy needs to make the easy transformation.

You can buy Begara barrels cheaper than original T/C barrels. I've been buying Pentax scopes on sale so the barrel and scope is roughly $425. I only buy stainless barrels too. The frame I bought was $450 with FFL transfer and shipping etc. Look up, www.eabco.com

[AWS]

I've been running the 55gr NBT out of my 6x45 and 6mm-204 and have had no problems other than not very fur friendly.  Shot a couple with 62gr VG, had grapefuit sized exits on chest shots and still had one run 30 ft.  Going to experiment with 58gr V-Max and 55gr NBT Lead Free this season see if I can keep them in a coyote.

Been shooting 52gr Speer FB/HP and 40gr NBT's out of my 5.6x50R and 22-204 and both have been great fur bullets.

AWS