243 for coyotes?
 

Would a 243 be a bad gun to sue if i wanted to save the pelts off coyotes?

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RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

I have used Barnes X bullets, both 85 and 95 grain, with pretty good success on coyotes. They will, of course, shoot clear through them - even end-for-end; but generally leave a small exit hole that can be closed up with a couple of stiches.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

First off, I don't own a .243, and I have no intention to do so, I just felt compelled to add numbers to the end of my name. younggun243.
Catchy,huh?

Anyway, just shoot the coyotes in the head. I saw a photo of a kid that shot a wolf in the face with a .50 cal. muzzleloader, and there was just a hole the size of the bullet. If you shoot the coyotes in the head, you shouldn't have a problem.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

alright thanks

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

bigdeernofear,

I have used the 243 on coyotes before, with no intention of saving the pelts, they were becoming a nuisance and needed thining. That said, the pelts recieve a lot of damage, of course I was using 100 gr bullets. The best I have ever seen was a 223 and a 30-06, both using military surplus ammunition. The metal jackets (as we call them), just punched a clean hole with very limited damage. There is a down side, these bullets do not explode and can go far, so as always, know where you're shooting and what's on the other side.

dog1

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

I use a 243, and a 260. Both with Barnes target solids, somtimes. They don't do much pelt damage if I shoot them in the chest. A couple of times I've hit shoulder and the head and did a lot of damage on exit.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

Just about any centerfire rifle cartridge is going to blow a coyote up (depending on the range). The smaller the hole the better (.17) and the less likely it is to overpenetrate (.22 mag, .221, .17) the better.

That being said: the .243 is the highest powered "varmint" cartrige out there. If your concerned about penetration, there are better choices IMO like the 223, 222, 22-250, etc.

The strength of the .243 comes from it's versatility and flat shooting. It's able to do everything from deer size down. If you want strictly coyotes I think a .22-250, .223, .204,.220 etc... woulddo better for you.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

i wanted a 22-250 but they are alot of money

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

Not really. You can get a cheap .22-250 in the Remington 700 SPS. they are only about $400. The Howa 1500 Lightning is only $300 and it's the same as the Weatherby Vanguard.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

for better luck shoot heavier bullet that are designed for big game so they wont expand much to any. heres a exit hole pic from a yote i shot with a 30 06 from 70 yards away with 180gr bullet.we couldnt even see the hole its just blood you see there

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

I'm fixin to buy one for Varmit/Bench Rest shooting.I like the .243 for its versitility. Great round if you ask me!

Looking at http://www.impactguns.com/store/047700274959.html

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

well i already have the 243 so i guess i could just buy thecheaper 22-250, but how much are shells?

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

Cheap enough. But if you want a truly cheap gun to shoot, a 223 is the way to go! Surplus ammo! Like 1000 rds for $150! Good stuff, i just dont want a gun that isnt really good for deer. The 22-250 will kill one, just not quite enough.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

243 is an excellent coyote gun. That is all I really use anymore. I shoot a handload with Hornady 75gr HPs and I've only left an exit hole on a 'yote twice in 2 years of using this load. I do not have it loaded to max, it is around the 3100fps mark (advertised in the book, I've never chrono'ed the load).

Do NOT shoot them in the head if you want to save the pelt. This usually makes a total mess out of 'em. Shoot 'em behind the shoulder like you would any other animal, and try not to hit a shoulder as it will more than likely totally destroy the pelt.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

What are you talking about? If that's a problem, than he can cut the head off first before he skins it. The head part of a pelt is hard, not soft. It's totally useless.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

Cutting the head off will render the pelt almost completely worthless in the eyes of a fur buyer.


Man....where are these people coming from? :eek:

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

Yeah you aren't kidding.......:eek::eek::eek:

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

Who would buy a coyote pelt? It's not like a fellow would make much on one.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

Again. Please stop while you're behind.


Taxidermy quality coyote pelts can bring a pretty decent price.

Prices for almost all furs are booming right now. At least compared to the last decade or so.

Any goodcoyotepelt from semi-heavy up is bringing $25 at a minimum with western heavys running much higher.

Of course I wouldn't expect you to know that being from the deep South. Coyotes probably never put on good fur down there.

A hunter would be smart to take the time to skin and flesh out any coyotes he gets, especially later this winter when they prime up.

$25-$55 and up for coyotes is good gas money!

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

There seems to be more and more kids on here these days that are more interested in disrupting than learning. There are definitely good ones and also bad ones. It would be great for them if they would read and ask questions from men and women that know what they are talking about.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

Are there any factory loaded .243 rounds that are designed for minimal expansion? That, it seems to me, would make an excellent coyote round. The hole going in is only 2 hundredths of an inch larger, and with minimal expansion, the hole going out won't be much bigger.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

Hornady and Federal only offer ballistic tip, soft point and Barnes X bullet types bullets on their loads.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

Man I missed out on correcting the younggun on his shooting in the head theory. Dang it! LOL

There are instances where shooting a coyote in the head is good (when snaring or trapping) I put a single 22lr or 22mag (whatever I am carrying) in one ear and out the other. Makes for no stiching up on a pelt.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

Yeah don't dig yourself in deeper. Coyote pelts can fetch a pretty good price.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

so between 223 and 22-250 which one would any of you choose?

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

22-250 is the better performer.

RE: 243 for coyotes?
 

I'd choose the 223 just because it is alot cheaper to shoot, especially if you don't reload. The 22-250 will have a little more range. I used to have 3 223s for coyote hunting. If you choose either I would suggest a 50gr bullet as minimum. I had really good luck with 50gr V-Maxs and 52gr HPs.