Need 243 ammo advice
 

Hello all,

I just picked up a sauer 243 with a leupold 6.5x20 AO VX III and would like to use it for yotes. I bore sighted it but have not had a chance to try her out yet. What ammo do you guys recommend for yotes? I don't have time to handload right now so any advice is appreciated.

RE: Need 243 ammo advice
 

I've had my best accuracy with Remington 80 grain PowerLokt hollow points. I was surprised, since the gun seems to hate the 100 grain CoreLokts.

I'm not sure if the PowerLokts would expand too quickly, but I wouldn't be hunting for pelts, so it wouldn't matter much.

Let's see what everyone else has to say.

FC

RE: Need 243 ammo advice
 

I am not really out hunting for pelts either. My buddy wants to go coyote hunting this weekend so I figure I would buy a couple various boxes of ammo to see what this gun likes. I am planning on handloading once I get enough empties

RE: Need 243 ammo advice
 

Is this a dual purpose weapon? Will you also be using it for deer? If so, use whatever bullet you plan to use for deer season. I use 100 gr. Remington PSP Core-Lokt's in my .243.

RE: Need 243 ammo advice
 

ipscshooter,

how do those remingtons work on deer? do they run far? I have always hunted with a 35 whelen for deer and they fall like a sack of potatoes.

RE: Need 243 ammo advice
 

If you aren't worried about the pelts, most any good bullet will do...

For long range, try the Federal Premium 85gr HPBT, its very accurate in most .243s that I have tried it in and sighted in 2 1/2 high at 100, you should be about 2 1/2 to 3 inches low at 300...

The 85 grain and the 100 grain CoreLokts work well on deer, I've killed 30 or so with the 85 grain and about 80 or so with the CoreLokts...On high shoulder shots they drop, on center lung shots they run about 30-60 yards.

RE: Need 243 ammo advice
 

If you're saving brass for reloading, it might be helpfulto try some different loadsfrom the same brand so you can have a lotof the same brass when you start reloading it. Federal has 4 loads that would be great for coyotes. There's the 85 grain Sierra mentioned, an 80 grain speer, 70 grain ballistic tip, and a 55 grain ballistic tip.

RE: Need 243 ammo advice
 

Hornady's 85 Gr BSTP

RE: Need 243 ammo advice
 

Hey Salty. I load 65gr V-max speeding out around 3600 FPS for mine. I think Hornady make loaded ammo with that bullet but if not drop me a line and I can always load some up for you. I just applyed for my 06 FFL and will be loading ammo for resale soon. Thanks Jovan

RE: Need 243 ammo advice
 

I have had good luck with the federal 100 gr. sierra game kings and the Hornady 100 gr factory ammo. Works good on deer and would easily work for yotes. They leave some nasty holes.

RE: Need 243 ammo advice
 

zrexpilot,
Are these pictures from a gun with extreme velocity. I've hunted with a 243 for over 30 years, have hanloaded as well as used factory ammo. I never see explosive open wounds like in your picute. I use standard bullets, not "tough-constructed" or super-soft either. Middle of the road bullets in teerms of construction and moderate velocities. Ususally 100 gr bulllets in the 2700 - 2800 fps neighborhood.

Just wondering b/c you've posted pictures like this before and it is contrary to my experiences.

Mind you, I'm not looking to duplicate your results, cuz my dead deer seem to be just as dead without the big holes.

RE: Need 243 ammo advice
 

That particular pic was using federal factory ammo 100 gr sierra gamekings. I dont always get holes like that, most the time its just an in and out hole the size of a pencil, but sometimes it happens, this one was hit in the spine and I guess the bullet just exploded taking everything out and leaving this hole. Some of the neck shots I do also leave holes like that. This same weekend we took a coyote as well using the gamekings, it left a bigger hole in it than the one in this pic, dont know why I dont have a pic of that one.

RE: Need 243 ammo advice
 

You could hunt everything that needs to be hunted with a .243 using the 100 gr. Sierra. I have a slight preference for the flatbase Prohunter over the Gameking - they seem just a little bit tougher. This bullet kills coyotes well and usually doesn't tear them up too bad. Have also used them on deer and antelope with good results. Even shot two cow elk with it. Center lung shot broadside - on the ground is under six seconds. Another great all around bullet is the 85 gr. Sierra HPBT Gameking.

RE: Need 243 ammo advice
 

zrexpilot and roskoe,
Thanks for the replies. I also find that vanilla style bullets in modest velocities are all thats needed for most deer. I did take one pretty large buck once, and even though the placement seemed perfect, and even thought the deer only went about 16 yards, I was unnerved about the bullet completely coming apart and I wasn't able pieces much bigger than a match-head. The deer was plenty dead and quickly too....it's just when the bullet came apart so much I started to second guess the round's ability on heavier size deer.
I still carry the 243 for much of my hunting, but when I get into the bear woods, or am after a particular deer with very sizeable tracks, I will carry my 6.5 X 55, 30/06 or 8mm/06.