I'm making the switch to .243 this year for coyote season, picked up some Hornady 58gr vmax superformance to try out first. Anyone have any other recommendations for factory loads? Night hunting mainly so in trying to stay light, fast and flat.
Hunting & Fishing .243 for coyotes
- Thread starter Frog05
- Start date
i hunt at night 3-5 days a week for yotes. the 243 can not be beat for yotes. and i understand that you are wanting as flat as possible but i would look at the 65-80 gr bullets for a little better performance. They seem to carry the energy better and end up with less runners at the end of the night. We are currently running 65vmax and 70 blitzing. with my favorite being the blitz. but there not available in loaded ammo as far as i know.
There are a few options in the 75-90gr range that I will take a look at. I couldn't find any factory loads in the 65-70 range, but I am a little slow this morning due to midnight shift! Thanks Slim
Anything 75gr and under should be magic. If you’re looking to see the options I’d look at midway for reference.
Hornady Superformance Varmint Ammo 243 Winchester 75 Grain V-MAX Box
Loaded with Hornady's popular V-Max polymer tipped bullet, Superformance Varmint ammunition is filled with proprietary propellants that increase the...
www.midwayusa.com 
Premium 243 Win Ammo For Sale - 70 Grain Nosler Ballistic Tip Ammunition in Stock by Federal Vital-Shok - 20 Rounds
Premium 243 Win Ammo In Stock by Federal - 70 Grain Nosler Ballistic Tip Ammunition by Federal For Sale Online at LuckyGunner.com - 20 Rounds
www.luckygunner.com 
Gun Deals | Discount Ammo | Firearm Parts & Accessories - Cheaper Than Dirt
We have the best guns online at the best prices. Find great deals on new guns and firearms, boxes of ammunition, gun parts and accessories from top brands.
www.cheaperthandirt.com I am sure there are more options out there.
ive ran .243 in many flavors for night hunting coyotes. I currently have a 22" carbon wrapped 10tw I run 75gr vmax at 3400 or I run 75gr superformance and 3600. it works what I would call acceptably well but in reality nothing has deep sixed coyotes at night like a 105 berger has. we are somewhere over the 100 mark for the season so I have a few under my belt to decide what worked best.
I shoot a lot of coyotes. 100-150 per year shot and trapped. I don't keep track of which method by number. I have not had the running issues that I see posted so often unless I use heavy bullets.
The light, fast expanding bullets simply kill coyotes in their tracks within 400 meters. I cannot recall the last one I had move when hit with a varmint class bullet out of anything from a .204 to a .257 Roberts. They just go down and don't move. Literally hundreds without fail.
I think some of the bum rap that rifles, calibers and bullets get is simply less that optimal shot placement.
When I use my deer rifle, an 18" KAC SR15, with the 77 grain SMK I get a lot of travelers after the shot. The bullet kills deer well but just shoots through coyotes and they go 25-100 yards unless bone or CNS is hit.
The light, fast expanding bullets simply kill coyotes in their tracks within 400 meters. I cannot recall the last one I had move when hit with a varmint class bullet out of anything from a .204 to a .257 Roberts. They just go down and don't move. Literally hundreds without fail.
I think some of the bum rap that rifles, calibers and bullets get is simply less that optimal shot placement.
When I use my deer rifle, an 18" KAC SR15, with the 77 grain SMK I get a lot of travelers after the shot. The bullet kills deer well but just shoots through coyotes and they go 25-100 yards unless bone or CNS is hit.
Last edited:
My favorite 243 coyote handload uses the 70gr Ballistic Tip. I don't know if it's still available, but Federal use to offer a 70gr Ballistic Tip 243 factory load that basically duplicated the velocity of my handload.
I have gone to hunting only at night for coyotes. I have been running a 6x45 (6mm223). Using a 16" barrel and 65vmax, I run from 3000fps to 3200 depending on the powder. Can't beat a light weight 16" barrel for mobility. For comparison, a buddy has a 16" .243 and is running 58vmax at 3450 with a Max charge of H4895. I'm almost half his charge weight of powder.
Similar threads
Hunting & Fishing Trying to decide on coyote rifle