Building AR 10 243 looking for a good round

Diamondcoyote1

Diamondcoyote1

New member
I am currently building an ar 10 243 with 22" barrel. Looking for a good coyote round and grain. I do not reload, so looking for factory rounds. I was shooting 223 with 55 grain vmax and was having way to many runners. Video confirmation on hits too. So now going with 243 win. I just bought a box of hornady edlx 90 grain and a cheap box of 80 grain Winchester soft points for now. Looking for ideas on some stuff I can buy at the store until I learn the reloading game.
 
Any round you pick will do it. Way more power than your 223. I'm partial to the 87 gr vmax so I'd start there, less wind deflection than the lighter rounds. Those 90's you bought would be great in that department also.

I wish they still sold the bulk Dogtown 70 grainers from Midway. Alot of guys on here used those to good effect and they were pretty reasonable.
 
58 or 75 Vmax superformance gets my vote. I reload and shoot an 18” bolt gun. 3470 and 3180fps respectfully (if memory serves). All my shots are under 250 (most inside 150) so wind/drop is not much of a factor in my case. 58 seems to get more DRT but could be shot placement.
 
Another vote for the 87gr v-max. I’ve had great success with them at a little slower speeds from the 6arc, and have killed plenty with the 6 cm factory ammo. It puts them down with authority. The new 80gr eld-vt might be a better option since you're starting today. Ive got a few thousand 87's to load, so I haven't bought any bullets. I did buy a case of factory 6arc in the 80gr eld-vt, but i haven't had time to shoot anything since I switched over to them after deer season. Hopefully this weekend will offer up some test subjects.
 
204 AR said:
Any round you pick will do it. Way more power than your 223. I'm partial to the 87 gr vmax so I'd start there, less wind deflection than the lighter rounds. Those 90's you bought would be great in that department also.

I wish they still sold the bulk Dogtown 70 grainers from Midway. Alot of guys on here used those to good effect and they were pretty reasonable.
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Ok cool. I havent seen the 87 grain in store yet around me. I live in shitty NY state and laws are rediculous. Need back ground checks for ammo now even. Bought 2 boxes today I will look for those 87 gr vmax nxt to try. Excited to get out with the 243
 
If you'll hit them in the shoulder, they won't run off. I know that's easy to say, but most people grow up hunting deer and we are taught from birth to shoot the crease. If you'll slide those impacts forward a couple inches and shoot the shoulder joint, they won't spin or run off. Of course they rarely just stand there and give you a perfect shot, but it's worth mentioning..
 
jmeddy said:
58 or 75 Vmax superformance gets my vote. I reload and shoot an 18” bolt gun. 3470 and 3180fps respectfully (if memory serves). All my shots are under 250 (most inside 150) so wind/drop is not much of a factor in my case. 58 seems to get more DRT but could be shot placement.
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My farthest shot would be 300 and most 200 or less. I did look at those 58 gr and the 75 but wasn't to sure. I also didn't mention my barrel is a 1 -8 twist but I think the 75 would be ok . Possibly the 58? I kinda looked past the vmax in general only because I've been so frustrated this season with them in my 223. I was kinda thinking it was bullet choice.
 
I’m shooting a 24” upper that’s 1:8 twist and shooting the hornady 90 Eld-x precision hunter factory loads. I know it’s overkill for coyotes but they shoot great and I also can deer hunt with them and not have to change loads. They are fur friendly on coyotes and knock them off their feet. I did shoot a bobcat broadside and hit the opposite shoulder and made a mess out of it. Another bobcat I shot was straight on and had no pelt damage
 
Hecouldgoalltheway said:
If you'll hit them in the shoulder, they won't run off. I know that's easy to say, but most people grow up hunting deer and we are taught from birth to shoot the crease. If you'll slide those impacts forward a couple inches and shoot the shoulder joint, they won't spin or run off. Of course they rarely just stand there and give you a perfect shot, but it's worth mentioning..
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I appreciate the input. 2 this season i actually hit right in front straight on shot and one took right off but could definitely tell he was hurt, that one was 155 yrd. Looked for 45 min with no luck. Other was about 100 yrd , dropped in tracks. 2 min later got up and bolted. Both recorded on video threw scope so I could play back and slow down. Had another broad side may have been touch behind shoulder just take off. Then another I hit running away at 256 and rolled him. Layed there 5 min and was gone when I went to go get lmao. 223 is put away and I hopfully will have 243 sighted in this weekend
 
tcprohunter said:
I’m shooting a 24” upper that’s 1:8 twist and shooting the hornady 90 Eld-x precision hunter factory loads. I know it’s overkill for coyotes but they shoot great and I also can deer hunt with them and not have to change loads. They are fur friendly on coyotes and knock them off their feet. I did shoot a bobcat broadside and hit the opposite shoulder and made a mess out of it. Another bobcat I shot was straight on and had no pelt damage
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That's good to hear . I bought a box of those eldx today to try out and see if gun likes. There $50 a box here.
 
The 87 v-max flat hammers. I shot it out of a 243 Win for quite a while, and I don't think I ever had one run. I shoot it out of a 243 LBC (6 ARC equivalent) and that drops them with authority too.
Not all v-maxes are created equal. Also, speed matters. I've seen a few runners with the 53 V-max out of a 16" 223 at about 2800 FPS. I shoot the same bullet out of a 24" 22-250 at over 3900 FPS, and nothing takes another step. You should see what that does to a prairie dog. :D
 
SupressYourself said:
The 87 v-max flat hammers. I shot it out of a 243 Win for quite a while, and I don't think I ever had one run. I shoot it out of a 243 LBC (6 ARC equivalent) and that drops them with authority too.
Not all v-maxes are created equal. Also, speed matters. I've seen a few runners with the 53 V-max out of a 16" 223 at about 2800 FPS. I shoot the same bullet out of a 24" 22-250 at over 3900 FPS, and nothing takes another step. You should see what that does to a prairie dog. :D
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Lmao I'd love to see that! Lol. I think the 58 gr was like around 3900 according to the box. I'm gonna get a few different options to try. Upper should be here Friday then hopefully sight in Saturday. How far do were you normally shooting with those 87?
 
limbhanger10 said:
I use 80gr winchester sp and never had an issue out of all my .243s for coyote.
Ya NY sucks...I have to leave all my gun goodies at home when I hunt there.
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Yeah 100% agree . I'm excited for my 243. I've heard pretty good things about them. Any recommendations for a good zero with it ? I heard 25 yrd will put me pretty well on out to 300? That would be my max shot and very rarely would probably take that.
 
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