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Author
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Topic: fur friendly bullets for 243
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Redbone
PAKMAN
Member # 292
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posted January 27, 2004 04:27 PM
Just found this sight. Seems like a lot of knowledgeable coyote hunters.I just got back in to calling after 20 years,used to shoot a 222.Sold it several years back.I purchased a L579 Forrester in 243. Hoping to get some input on some loads, i do handload.
Redbone
Posts: 1 | From: ok panhandle | Registered: Jan 2004
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted January 27, 2004 04:41 PM
Welcome to the New Huntmasters, redbone. (damn, they sure are purdy dogs, huh?) Anyway, glad to have you on board.
You got a tough question, partner! I know of no absolutes, just percentages, and not very favorable, either. As a catagory, 6mm bullets seem to be destructive, both heavy and light weights. Thin jackets, mostly.
Anybody have a clue?
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Az-Hunter
Hi, I'm Vic WELCOME TO THE U.S. Free baloney sandwiches here
Member # 17
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posted January 27, 2004 05:04 PM
How "fur friendly" do you want it or need it? I think it's a given that a 6mm bullet is going to leave its mark, question is, how much damage is acceptable to you. If your looking for the magical pin prick entrance with no exit, the .243 isn't the rifle that is going to show you that very often. There are lots of guys who love the 6mms, and Im sure one or two will chime in with their bullet picks. Ive not personally shot enough with the 6mms to make much of an informed opinion, only an observation from the few Ive shot with one, and those Ive witnessed.
The 243 will sure as hell kill them hard, but leaves more of an exit than some of the fur skinners like to see.
Posts: 1670 | From: 5 miles west of Tim | Registered: Jan 2003
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Cal Taylor
Knows what it's all about
Member # 199
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posted January 27, 2004 06:02 PM
I have a little experience, well maybe more than alittle, with the 6mms and the only bullet that will stay in them most of the time are the lighter Berger MEF's. Before anybody jumps, I said most of the time, when they do exit, you just as well walk away, nobody sews that good. But I can keep it in about 70 to 80 percent of them with the 65's going around 3700fps. This is based on well over a hundred coyotes at various ranges with that particular combination. But they gotta be the MEF's. I tried the light ballistic tips and the majority of the damage was on the entrance side. And it was pretty frequent.
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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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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted January 27, 2004 06:47 PM
Well, interesting, huh? I tried a couple Bergers in a 6mm I had a few years ago. I tried the 80 and the 68 grain,both very accurate in my gun, with the edge going to the 68, so that's the one that I took on a trip. Never before or since have I seen so many cripples in a single night, something on the order of ten, as I recall? That wasn't a MEF, just the standard target HP. The 80 grain faired a little better, but I still had some flopping around, and you don't want that at night.
I know a guy that uses (what?) a 55 or 56 grain V-Max, I think? and he says they mostly stay inside, like Cal says. That's about all you can hope for, it's a lot of gun for such a small animal, if you have another motive, other than just killing them.
In any case, it's a quest that may take you a few seasons before you settle on a satisfactory bullet. It all depends on your normal ranges, and if you are strictly shooting stationary animals with a precise placement, or if you have to knock them down with random hits on moving targets.
Good luck, LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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albert
Knows what it's all about
Member # 98
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posted January 27, 2004 08:23 PM
I have the same rifle and have shot about 40 coyotes with it. At Leonard's suggestion i tried the 87 grain hornady's I feel that they work well. Always passed through. the only time that you have an major exit hole is on shots facing you and you are a little high. major blow out the back bone. Every other shot gives "acceptable" damage. I also used 58 grain v-max's with h-380. This load will not pass through a coyote. I gave up on it as it will not stop a coyote running away from you. Also explosive on fringe hits.
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for what it's worth, eh!
Posts: 195 | From: Parkland, saskatchewan, canada | Registered: Feb 2003
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Steve Craig
Lacks Opposable Thumbs/what's up with that?
Member # 12
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posted January 28, 2004 06:04 AM
Redbone,
I have been using the Sierra 60grVarmiter and 42.5gr of IMR4350 in my 243 for just over 30 years. This is the load I used all during the Fur Boom when I made a good living trapping and calling. I have taken 1000's of coyotes with this load, and it will tear up a coyote if you hit him a little "thin". But so will a 22-250. It is certainly not the fastest load, but rest assured it puts them down and with litle of no fur damage.
FWIW
Steve
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Yes, we did produce a near-perfect republic. But will they keep it? Or will they, in the enjoyment of plenty, lose the memory of freedom? Material abundance without character is the path of destruction. - Thomas Jefferson
Posts: 442 | From: Cottonwood,Az, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted January 28, 2004 04:02 PM
Yeah, I did tell Albert several years ago that the 87 Hornady spire point was a very decent killer, but it didn't mess up too badly, on a sideways presentation. I'm not currently using that bullet, but can't give you a good reason why not? A good reliable bullet, not as flashy as some others, but it always worked for me.
Also, I have used that 60 grain Sierra HP, and it's everything that Steve says it is. It's exceptionally accurate, and kills real well. Fur bullet?, I can't address that question, because I just don't remember one way or another? I have not used it in maybe ten years, but I would; it's worth a try.
Same caution though. You will see damage, if you shoot it enough.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Terry Hunter
Knows what it's all about
Member # 58
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posted January 31, 2004 07:28 AM
About 3 years ago I shot 55 grain nosler bt for one season in a 6mm.With most shots the bullet will not exit the coyote.One was shot at about 100 yards on the run in the neck without and exit.Almost all the shoulder hits explode on contact and leave about a 6 inch area without fur.
Posts: 132 | From: N. Middle Tennessee | Registered: Jan 2003
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Tackdriver
Knows what it's all about
Member # 203
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posted January 31, 2004 10:51 AM
I use a 60 grain Ballistic Tip in the 243, loaded to only moderate speeds.
It does not do as well as my 17 Remington.
But I loaned that rifle to Lochi when he was here two years ago, and he shot a couple coyotes with it, and I dont recall an exit, although the bullets did not hit bone in either coyote.
Posts: 21 | Registered: Jun 2003
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DanS
Scorched Earth (AZ Sector)
Member # 316
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posted February 22, 2004 12:17 PM
I have been using the Sierra 60's in my 6mm wildcats. A 6x45 and a 6mm-250. I have only shoot a few coyotes with my AR15, 6x45 so far. It hasn't exited yet. I don't know what the 6mm-250 will do yet.
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futuaris nisi irrisus ridebis
Saepe Expertus, Semper Fidelis, Fratres Aeterni:
Often Tested, Always Faithful. Brothers Forever!
Posts: 1482 | From: flyover country | Registered: Feb 2004
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 22, 2004 03:54 PM
WElcome to the New Huntmasters, Dan S. Glad to have you on board.
That 6/250 is a good one, I used to have one, but sold it. Never used 60 grain bullets in in?
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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albert
Knows what it's all about
Member # 98
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posted February 22, 2004 08:05 PM
I shot some 60 grain sierras in my 6br witch has similar capacity as the 6/250. I found that that it was too tough for my application. good for fur damage but a lot of times it passed completely through and the coyote would often fun fifty yards or so before it realized that it was dead. No large exits though. I could see them working well in a 243 which has greater vel. and higher twist.
[ February 22, 2004, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: albert ]
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for what it's worth, eh!
Posts: 195 | From: Parkland, saskatchewan, canada | Registered: Feb 2003
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DanS
Scorched Earth (AZ Sector)
Member # 316
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posted February 22, 2004 09:02 PM
Thanks Leonard,
I did have one runner with the 6x45 and the 60 grain Sierra. He ran about 40 yards.
I am hoping they will work with the 6/250. It is very close to the 243 as you know. I have only shot the 75 grainers. They are very accurite.
Dan
[ February 22, 2004, 09:06 PM: Message edited by: DanS ]
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futuaris nisi irrisus ridebis
Saepe Expertus, Semper Fidelis, Fratres Aeterni:
Often Tested, Always Faithful. Brothers Forever!
Posts: 1482 | From: flyover country | Registered: Feb 2004
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