varmint loads for 243
- Thread starter bronkobill
- Start date
I'm kind of looking into the same thing, by the sounds of it .243 and fur friendly generally don't go together. Most of the varmint bullets will come apart but are likely to still penetrate fully, leaving a pretty big hole.
Using a hunting bullet might do the trick, it will certainly go through, but shouldn't have the explosive expansion a varmint bullet would.
Interested to hear from someone with actual experience.
Using a hunting bullet might do the trick, it will certainly go through, but shouldn't have the explosive expansion a varmint bullet would.
Interested to hear from someone with actual experience.
A 75 grain Barnes banded solid - not solid copper, some kind of copper/zinc/whatever gilding metal. Should blow right on through - we'll know better in a few weeks when and if it ever snows here. Up close a 58 gr Varminator works fine most of the time - just don't push them to max. Keep the speed down to about what you'd hunt big game with and they'll do the job, except now you have to use the Varmint Grenade unless you're lucky like me and have a pile of Varminators stashed away. Even a light V-Max at lower speeds should be alright. Hides aren't really that important to us, so I use a 55 gr CT Bal S'Tip at about 3800.
I use Hornady 87gr BTHP, Seirra 85gr BTHP reloads on windy days and a 62.5 gr BTHP target bullets (custom made) on calm days with very little if any damage. Some of the others in our group shoot VMAX 58 to 87gr bullets with little pelt damage.
brenden270
CGN Regular
- Location
- Kootenays BC
I called in and shot a pup this afternoon with an 87 v-max out of my 6mm (150yds). I drive them about 3300fps. Flat shooting and wind resistant...B.C. of .400. Pass through, of course, but damage was acceptable. I've shot two others this season but they were unrecoverable as they were way out on a resevoir that has fluctuating water levels. Not worth falling through. They were bigger dogs and it would have been nice to see the damage (or lack there of). V-max's are notoriously violent but this dog will skin out nice. Hardly a conclusive test but thumbs up so far.
my 2 cents
brenden
my 2 cents
brenden
I got two yotes with my .308 when out for deer a couple of weeks ago. Nosler Partition hunting bullets are not fur friendly. One was at about 225 yds, hit high and took a 6" circle out of the spinal area ( it looked like a cookie cutter was used). Number two was at about 30 yds and had the same results except allot of "stuff" flew out of the six inch exit wound ie. liver, diaphragm, some lung tissue. It was weird as it sounded like the kick of a bass drum when the bullet made contact.
