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Author
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Topic: 55grain 243's
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Butch
PAKMAN
Member # 163
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posted May 30, 2003 09:57 AM
I've got a question for some of you experts out there. I have been reloading some 55grain balistic tips for my 243. I don't have a chronograph, but the powder brand I am using claims that with the load I am using, the bullet is traveling at just over 4,000 ft/s. The last couple of times that I have shot coyotes with them, there is no exit wound, but a large silver dollar sized entrance. Is that just the nature of the ballistic tip, or can you encourage deeper penitration by lightening the load?
Butch
Posts: 8 | From: Nevada | Registered: Mar 2003
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DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
Member # 11
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posted May 30, 2003 12:25 PM
That is the nature of plastic tipped bullets. Might be able to delay the disruption a bit by backing off the powder, but I really don't know as I've always driven them full throttle.
- DAA
P.S. if you're using H-380, you likely are indeed getting 4,000+ with them. As I've gotten 4050 to almost 4200 out of three different factory .243's using the 55's and H-380. The 4050 is out of a 22" barrel, no less.
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"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.
Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter
Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
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Cal Taylor
Knows what it's all about
Member # 199
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posted May 30, 2003 02:56 PM
DAA is right that you are probably getting the 4 grand or close to it. I shot them out out a 26" barreled .243 for a while and 4000 fps was pretty easy to attain, but they didn't hold together very well. For wintertime fur they were ok with good frontal or broadside shot, but in the case of more than one coyote alot of times the second offers a marginal shot if you get them stopped. Alot of times they are facing away looking back and while I never lost a hit coyote with them if you hit any bone on a raking hit or a spine hit it would rain coyote parts for about 30 seconds. So I went back to the 70 grainers and probably will stay there in the .243.
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Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
FoxPro Field Staff Member
Posts: 1069 | From: Wyoming | Registered: May 2003
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Terry Hunter
Knows what it's all about
Member # 58
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posted May 30, 2003 03:39 PM
A few years ago I tried the 55 grains in a 6 mm with H 414 powder.4000 fps was not hard to get.Nine out of ten shots would not exit the coyote.One out of the ten would explode on impact blowing fur off over a 5 inch radius.
Posts: 132 | From: N. Middle Tennessee | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted May 30, 2003 03:54 PM
Use what makes you happy, gentlemen. But this is mostly reporting personal experience, and for me, 70 grains is the lowest I go in either 6mm or 243. And, I have a lot more confidence in 85-87 grain bullets, depending on the area and the cover. Especially at night, I like a heavier bullet. Yeah, it's going a lot slower, but you don't get any splash wounds, or runners. And the far ones are a little easier.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
Member # 11
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posted May 30, 2003 06:23 PM
For coyotes, I agree with Cal and Leonard. 70's, or even heavier, are much mo betta. For colony varmints, out to about 400, the 55's and 58's are "the stuff". Further than that, and basically, the heavier the better. Just picked up a Sako L579 to turn into a 6AI just for launching 87's at distant chucks and night time coyotes.
- DAA
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"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.
Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter
Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted May 31, 2003 08:37 AM
I just noticed that you're in Nevada, Butch.
I know a very experienced predator hunter that has been using 55s lately, and if he says they work for him, they must work. However, I think he is operating mostly in Arizona, where the shots are not all that difficult.
In Nevada, I tend to bring long range stuff, and even though a 55 grain bullet with a MV of 4000 shows some decent ballistics, it does not anchor coyotes like a heavier bullet. Depends on your application, etc., but I'd be careful of those bullets as a universal load for your conditions.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Butch
PAKMAN
Member # 163
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posted June 02, 2003 09:09 AM
Thanks for all of the imput fellas.
Butch
Posts: 8 | From: Nevada | Registered: Mar 2003
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varmint101
Knows what it's all about
Member # 41
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posted June 02, 2003 10:34 AM
I haven't tried the 55 grainers yet, but that 4000fps is humming that's for sure. My .243 absolutely loves the Speer TNT 70gr bullets. They work very well. I will have to try the 55gr ones before too long.
Matt
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"From my cold dead hands."
#135663262
Posts: 60 | From: Seymour, IN | Registered: Jan 2003
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purdygood
Knows what it's all about
Member # 186
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posted June 09, 2003 06:59 PM
Here is one of what a 55 grainer Nosler BT done at 20 yards.Not too fur friendly. 
Needless to say he didn't get up.And He weighed 40+ lbs.
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If they run they will only die tired
Posts: 20 | From: Lubbock,Texas | Registered: Apr 2003
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