Bullet weight suggestions for a .243 coyote load

R

Rodder

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I had the good fortune of taking my first coyote a few weeks ago. The rifle I used was a Remington 783 (1:9.25 twist, 22" barrel). I was using factory 100 grain Winchester ammo as I primarily hunt deer with the rifle and get excellent groups with that bullet weight. Despite doing my part and putting one into the coyote's boiler room at just under 90 yards, the coyote still managed to roll around in the grass for much longer than I thought was possible based off my shot placement. Closer inspection showed the bullet went straight through without expanding.

I'm sure for many of you that would be common sense but I'm still relatively new to hunting and wasn't expecting that. Although coyotes are pests and causing havoc on the farmers property that I'm hunting on, I do my best to make sure anything I shoot dies as quickly as possible. I now have plenty of Lapua brass and both Varget and H4350 powder for reloading something more ethical. The Hornady V-max has great reviews and I'm leaning towards it in 87 grain pills but see it and other manufacturers offer varmint bullets in 75, 65 and 58 grains. I know no two rifles are the same, but I'm hoping someone here has a similar rifle twist and length that could point me in the right direction for bullet weight or other bullets besides the V-max.

Rodder
 
The weight won't matter so much as the bullet construction when it comes to KOing a coyote. If you don't care about the pelt, look at varmint bullets. They tend to expand more rapidly and do more tissue damage than deer bullets. Varmint bullets are less likely to penetrate or ricochet, which is a good thing if you're hunting in populated areas.
 
I had really good accuracy in my 243 with W760 and 75 gn Hornady hollow points. They expand fast so I don't think there should be any issues with dropping them dead. The v max bullets in 75 gn would be another choice.Haven't loaded with H4350 or Varget. Haven't loaded with H4350 or Varget .
Scott...
 
Factory loaded Federal Premium 70gr Nosler Ballistic Tip is my favorite (since I don't reload). Shoots extremely accurate out of every 243 I've tried it in. I've tried 95gr SST's and found that I get some expansion and a pass through every time. I've used 55gr NBT's and 58gr v-max's and find very little if any noticeable advantage over just taking out my 22-250. With both the heavy and light bullet weights I've had a few that didn't just do a bang flop.
The 70gr NBT hits them like a Mack Truck, still explodes violently like the lighter bullets but also retains enough weight to pass through if you don't directly hit shoulder bone. They really make a mess of things. Bang flop every time. No spinners or runners.
 
...how far are you shooting? ...how far do you want to shoot? ...i use a .223 for out to 300 yards but a heavier .243 will carry easily to twice that and much farther depending on your accuracy

just a thought
 
I've put holes in coyotes with 100 gr Hornady BTSP over H4350. Some have left .243 diameter holes in and out regardless of broadside or lengthwise shots, depending on what the bullet runs into on its way through. Those same bullets have produced fist-sized exits. I'm planning to go with the 65 or 75 gr VMAX over Varget this season.
 
nw mb said:
...how far are you shooting? ...how far do you want to shoot? ...i use a .223 for out to 300 yards but a heavier .243 will carry easily to twice that and much farther depending on your accuracy

just a thought
Click to expand...

I should have included this in my first post but since it's farm fields I'm hunting on my shots go from out to 200 yards in the summer to 500+ in the Winter. I'm shooting without a front rest so 200 yards would be my absolute max. I've considered investing in a tripod but I think that's at least a year or so away.

I'm going to get a box of 55gr and 87gr Vmax bullets. I have the brass and powder to test both and hopefully I'll get to do some real world testing to see which one performs better. Thanks for the input everyone.
 
I'm loading 75 gr V-Max over IMR 4064 with decent results. That should be plenty of bullet for a coyote, I'd be shocked if it didn't expand on the way through.
I have some 80 gr Nosler ballistic tip varmint bullets on the way, I'm hoping they produce better accuracy than the Hornady.
 
no need for a heavy bullet on coyotes ,lighter is faster = more expansion less drop. unless you want the pelts, a bullet made for varmints will give the best quick expansion .
 
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