Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Bullet damage

I often see it debated which caliber is best for coyotes, or other critters. I propose that when it comes to stopping coyotes DEAD in their tracks, the 243 is king of the "varmint"calibers. Of course larger calibers with soft bullets will do the same thing, but you can't kill 'em any deader than with the 243. The coyote below was hit by a Sierra 75 HP. (Just don't use it if you want the hide!) I am now trying an AR-15, and hope to post what it does to critters.<BR> [img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1305003&a=10164917&p=34136949&Sequence=1[/img] <BR>-------------------------------------------<BR><I><B>Critr</B></I><BR> <A HREF="http://www.SaguaroSafaris.com" TARGET=_blank>www.SaguaroSafaris.com</A> http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1305003&a=10164917&p=34136949&Sequence=1

If you are wanting a bullet that will not rip up a hide go with a more solid tip, do not use the soft points or balistic tips because these will leave the animal like you have shown. Go with a full nettle jacket or smaller calaber of gun. The 222 and 223 are great for cyotes and do not do to much damage if once again the right bullet is used.<BR>Good luck and keep the yotes droping.

I personally am more interested in stopping a coyote in his tracks, and not chancing losing him as he makes that last dying run into the brush. But if you want to save the hide, by all means use something smaller, or go to a harder bullet which will not blow up like my Sierras.<BR>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR><I><B>Critr</B></I><BR> <A HREF="http://www.SaguaroSafaris.com" TARGET=_blank>www.SaguaroSafaris.com</A>

Hi Critr,<P>The 243 is a good round. I shot a few with mine before I rebarreled it.<P>It is now a 284 Win. With 120 ballistic tips going 3400+ it sure does a number on them...I shot one in the neck and it was only hanging on by the skin on one side.<P> I am like you I shoot yotes whenever they are stupid enough to show themselves. I am an Arizona hunter too, live in Tucson.<P>Last spring I was going out to give the jackrabbits a bad time. I heard this coyote yelping as I opened a gate. I moved down to where I wanted to start. That darn guy was still carrying on. I decided to sneak over to him. I was amazed he let me get that close. He hid behind a bush, so I let the 69 gr sierra match from my 22-250 go through and try to find him. Somehow it managed, and when that bullet going 3475 wacked him, it blew up his stomach. I was aiming at the chest, but who knows what the small branches did. When I got to him I discovered why he was howling like mad. He had chopped up and eaten a 5 foot bull snake!! There were all these hotdog long pieces. Either it was a belly ache or he was very proud to get so full.<P> I think it is time the G & F offered a bounty for those coyotes. I believe too many game animals, and other critters, like snakes are being eaten. They banned trapping and not many hunters bother. Heck the furs are darn near worthless with today's market. We are being overrun with them.<P> Talk to you .....Ross <P>

Ross,how long is your 284's barrel? What propellant do you favor,using 120's? I'm thinking about building one,as a light Hunting Rifle. Thanks.......

Hi!<P>Will give you all the poop on the 284. <P>I currently have two.The shorter one is a Ruger with a new Remington take off barrel from a gunsmith in Tucson, 23 inches long. 1 in 9 1/2 twist<P> The longer one is a 24 1/2 inch Douglas built on a Mark X long action. 1 in 10 twist<P> Both do well shooting the 140 and 120 ballistic tips. ( moly coated)<P> 140 loading:<P> 59 grs of IMR 4350, Fed 210 M, <BR>full length once fired brass. The OAL is different for each rifle. The long action allows any length I want, can seat very close to rifling. The short rifle's velocity is 3050 and the long is 3250.<P> 120 loading;<P>The Mark x rifle likes 62 gr of WW760 all componests the same as above velocity: 3425 average<P>The short action likes 62 grs of H4350 with neck sized brass, all other components same as above. Velocity 3350.<P> If you look in one of the more recent, if not the most recent Speer reloading manual they used 62 grains of WW760 with a 110 gr bullet. The use of moly lowers pressure and allows a bit more powder for more velocity.<P>Please work up to maximum in your rifle. <P>A great starting load for non moly that has worked on three of those Rem barrels is:<P>140 Sierra gameking, CCI 200, 57 grains of IMR 4350. All three barrels shot in the .300"s or better for three shots.<P>At one time I used the 100 barnes X bullet. I drop tubed 63 grains of WW760 and the bullet was going approx 3600! The latest rifle did not like the x's for some reason...that is when I switched to the ballistic tips. <P>I wacked a Coues whitetail at a ranged 456 this year. I had the 120 sighted in 3.5 at 100. It went in just under his spine and killed him dead quickly. <P> I really like the combination of moderate recoil and high velocity this round gives me. If there is a drawback it is the extra cost of the brass, which can still be found.<P>Let me know if there is anything else I can tell you .... Ross