Members: Would anyone have any suggestions for a fur-friendly (coyote) bullet for a .243 Winchester? Do you suggest a really fragile bullet and hope for no exit or do you shoot a heavier, tougher bullet at a moderate velocity so it doesn't expand much? FMJs are not an option here in Maryland and ranges would probably be short (<100 yards). Standard 1 in 10" twist barrel. Thanks in advance.

This weekend I will be trying out Barnes Varmint Grenades in a 243 on coyotes. If I get lucky I'll tell you how the hides fared.

"...not an option..." Milsurp ball fmj's or any fmj? Try some 95 grain Hornady SST's. Or a Sierra 70 or 95 grain Matchking. Of course, varmints are the only game that using match bullets is ok.
If you can use commercial FMJ's, the Speer 90 grain bullet makes a puncture wound with no exit hole in a ground hog.

quote:

Originally posted by miles58:
This weekend I will be trying out Barnes Varmint Grenades in a 243 on coyotes. If I get lucky I'll tell you how the hides fared.

Miles58, Did you get a chance to try out those Varmint Grenades?

No, I didn't get a coyote to commit suicide.

I am pushing the VGs slow, about 2000-2200 I think, but I haven't run them over the chrony yet to know for sure. I will give it another try this weekend I think. I only have tried them at an indoor range (Minnesota-winter 'nuff said) but at 50 yards they shoot one holers in a gun that is just wretched with full power loads. I will put them into some meat soon to see what they do at that velocity. If nothing else I'll pop a crow or two.

I really like that they make noise like a 22 WMR or 22 LR in a pistol, have zero recoil and shoot accurately. I am hoping they break up at whatever speed they are moving now. It sure would be convenient.

I will be doing a full workup over the summer to determine minimum velocity for breakup, what the breakup looks like etc. I will publish the results here.

I shot the 90 grain Speer FMJ for coyotes in Idaho in the 1980s and took a couple of dozen dogs with it. It worked great with a little bitty hole going in and little bitty hole going out.

Until I had track one through the snow for about a mile and a half. It took me three hours and three more sets of holes to finally get him.

I don't know if there is a fur friendly bullet for the 243.

no doubt about it for what you're looking for I'd go with a 55 NBT and drive it as hard as you can.

Keep it away from major bones (shoulder/spine and breast if a frontal shot) and you'll be just fine.

I've used this bullet in my 6/06 to take a pile of yotes and it's done very well for me.

Second choice would be the 85 TSX and the same shot placement rules apply.

Mark D