Fur friendly .243 caliber bullet-what so you suggest?

[rmarshall]

Can anyone tell me some good choices for a coyote bullet that is fur friendly? Shooting some 70 grain sierra matchkings that make a mess sometimes, but often i would like to salvage the hide. What will work well for this? Your imput is much appreciated.

 

[SJB358]

I would think a 55 grain BT or 58 grain VMax would stand the best chance of not going out. Pretty sure just about anything heavier will come out being a little messy. Maybe a heavier constructed bullet wouldn't hammer them, but I imagine any bullet near bone is going to be messy.

 

[JD338]

The 243 Win is not a fur friendly round so its important to stay off the bones if you want to save a pelt.
I would look at the 95 gr BT. Its a game bullet and its going to exit but the lower velocity might punch a smaller hole.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

Barnes makes a "banded solid" intended to be fur friendly - in 6mm/.243. It's a 75 gr bullet. Not designed to expand at all.

They're also avail in several other calibers.

 

[Thebear_78]

I know a guy who shoots several wolves a year. With a 243 wssm and 80 gr hornady fmj. Uses it on all predators even fox and claims its the best out there for saving fur.

 

[.280 Remington]

I've had good luck with the 70gr BT so far. No blow ups, just small hole in, small hole out.

 

[Guy Miner]

Interesting to me was the coyote I shot with the .25-06 in October. I was loaded up with 115 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips - for deer & antelope. Shot the coyote at 420 yards - he was facing away and uphill. Bullet entered his back, exited his chest with a very small exit wound, and killed him instantly.

I didn't keep the hide, but surely did consider it as it was in excellent condition. Surprised me, given what the .25-06 has done to other coyotes... Perhaps the B-Tip had slowed enough at that range that it didn't expand as readily? Not sure, but it was interesting.

Guy

 

[akhunter]

I know a guy who shoots several wolves a year. With a 243 wssm and 80 gr hornady fmj. Uses it on all predators even fox and claims its the best out there for saving fur.

That guy live around Trapper creek area?

 

[Thebear_78]

he is a russian guy Named Petre, Not sure where he lives, he brings lot of rifles in to my buddies gunshop in anchorage. he wolf hunts all winter all over the state, he's big into wolf hunting. he swears by the hornady 80 FMJ as the best bullet for fur out there. Kills well but doesn't blow up the hide. Nothing is terribly pelt freindly for fox though, except maybe the 17 HMR, thats about as good as it gets for fox. All the high velosity round tend to "pop" a fox like a balloon. A shotgun might be a better choice.

 

[Wincheringen]

Barnes makes a "banded solid" intended to be fur friendly - in 6mm/.243. It's a 75 gr bullet. Not designed to expand at all.

They're also avail in several other calibers.

That is the bullet I use for 'yotes, although in .257 at 90 grains.

 

[PJGunner]

Back in the winter of 78/79 I used a .243 and the 100 gr. Hornady loaded down a bit to an estimated 25/2600 FPS. It didn't mangle the hides up too badly and exit holes were easily sewn closed. Tat was a very profitable season BTW. I made enough on hides to pay cash for a new 1979 Ford F-150 4x4. 8) That was a good truck. I'm sorry I traded it off on something else.
Paul B.

 

[Woodycreek]

The 6mm 70 BTs have always made a mess of anything I have shot with it. Massive exit holes in a bobcat, foxes, and groundhogs. The 95 BTs had smaller exit wounds for groundhogs.

 

[rmarshall]

Thanks all for the replies, they have all been helpful, I will pass the info along to my friend, and use it myself i when start loading the old 243. Have a great new year all!!