Pelt damage?

[Coyoteslayer223]

Hey guys. Recently I bought some 87 grain vmax's for my 243. I'm not big on pelt damage so I was wondering if these would destroy the pelt or can it still be sellable? Thanks in advance

[Blue Avenger]

vmaxs are made to blow. the faster you push them the bigger hole if it comes out!

[87predator]

I've not shot those, but the 75's were not fur friendly at all.

[handirifle]

Hey guys. Recently I bought some 87 grain vmax's for my 243. I'm not big on pelt damage so I was wondering if these would destroy the pelt or can it still be sellable? Thanks in advance

This is the biggest problem. I do not know of any bullets fired from the 243 that will not destroy a coyote pelt. I shot them with the Sierra 85gr BTHP GameKing.
NOT the bullet to use if you want to sell a pelt. I was just killing sheep killers.

If your file likes them there is a 60gr pill that MIGHT stay in, but I doubt it, as it will be traveling in the 4K range or above.

[Coyoteslayer223]

Thats what i was thinking. i originally bought them for pdogs but the local pawn shop had flyers that the taxidermist was now buying coyote pelts. well thanks for the replies guys

[375Win]

I've had good results witht the 58gr V-Max at 3600 fps on our bigger northern coyotes but took it to NM last winter and it was brutal on the smaller coyotes down there.

[Kelly Jackson]

depends on bullet placement with the 243.

Here is one of the 16 I shot since Oct 1st.
This one I used a 243AI and a 55gr NBT running 4142 MV. The coyote was shot facing me.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/prpz041/DSCN0202.jpg

No exit.

stay after them
Kelly

[mcho]

I had good luck with 70gr Nosler HPBT Match in my 6MM Rem. It may be hard to find them now, I have not seen them lately. Mark

[Three44s]

My current iron is a .204 ruger and it stays in but that's not your question.

I would suggest trying the Hornady FMJ in 6mm with your .243

I have always loved killing coyotes with your cartridge but saving pelts was not on the radar.

Best of luck

Three 44s

[Coyoteslayer223]

I might look into the fmj or bullets for penetration not exploding. Any ideas??

[Slenk]

Sierra MatchKing Bullets 243 Caliber, 6mm (243 Diameter) 95 Grain Hollow Point Boat Tail very similar to 95gr Berger VLD

[handirifle]

My suggestion, is if this is a Savage rifle, rebarrel it to a 22-250 or 223 if you want to keep the pelts. Most shot with the light weight varmint bullets in .224 seldom exit, and the 22-250 has a better reputation for anchoring them on the spot.

I'd be surprised if any 243 bullet will do as you want. They never did for me. Pelts are worthless here.

[Coyoteslayer223]

Thanks handirifle. I usually shoot them with my 223 but I built a 243 and love it so I was seeing if it was pelt worthy. I think Ill stick with the 223 like my dad said when in doubt, 223

[comcam]

I just got some 58g Vmax I want to try out on some yotes with my .243

[kslefty]

Try loading with varget powder. I load these for 2 different savage .243 rifles and they both shoot better than I can with 43gr of varget and a federal or winchester primer.

[handirifle]

One thing I have read, but never tried, is using the 100gr deer bullets on them. It's my understanding they do not open quick enough on the yotes and leave a small entrance and exit.

[helotaxi]

One thing I have read, but never tried, is using the 100gr deer bullets on them. It's my understanding they do not open quick enough on the yotes and leave a small entrance and exit.

Well I can say with 100% certainty that this doesn't hold true with 160gn Partitions from a 7 WSM :D Shot 2 at 150yds while elk hunting yesterday and they were nearly blown in half.

Barnes used to make the perfect pelt friendly bullet in the form of the banded solid, but they discontinued it. Sierra makes a Gameking FMJ in .243 that would be my choice, that is if I gave a rip about the pelts.