Fur Friendly Bullets

[KEM-MN]

Does anyone use a 243 cal. to hunt fox with, if you do what bullets are you shooting ?  Beartooth Bullets sell some that are advertised as fur friendly, has anyone tried them ?

Thanks in advance:  Ken

[Mac11700]

Welcome Aboard Ken...

I don't hunt for foxes...but hopefully some of our other members can help you...

Mac

[mt3030]

During the '70s I got to hunting pelts with a 6mm Remington. Best bullet I found was the Speer 90 gr full metal jacket. Anchored 'yotes as good as my 22-250 with soft points, and was much easier on the hides. I don't know if this bullet is still available or not. But any 243/6mm diameter non-expanding bullet should still work.

[KEM-MN]

MT3030: thanks,great idea. We don't have many coyotes, I think the Timber wolves kill them or run them out of the area. We have some fox and I would like to try calling some in.
I found some FMJ bullets at Midsouth Reloading.  Thanks Again:

Have a great day !  Ken

[mitchell]

the best bullet i can think of is umm....... buy a hornet barrel

[Cknerr]

try some real  match bullets. THey look like they are hollow point...they are, just don't act like one. The hole in the front is actually for a pin to push the bullet out of the die. THe jackets on them are so thick and stiff, they do not want to leave the die. That solid jacket won't come apart, so your hide will only have a 1/4" hole, for a 6mm or 243. Since 6mm is one of the most common short(er) range calibers used in competition, there are plenty out there. Many of the custom makers will have or make to your spec whatever weight you want. They are not cheap, but suprisingly affordable and not a lot more then the better grades of varmit bullet. A search on the 'net will bring up plenty. Grady Knight and many others will also send you a hand full of differant weights and ogives for free just to try out.
The downside is not being able to blame ammo for a bad shot. and you better place the shot well, there is no expansion so the shot has to go through something vital.

THe next most common, or thinking about it, maybe it is the most common..., the 30 caliber is about as common as dirt as is the 22 caliber. All of them come in a huge variety of flavors in ogives and weights.

Just pick your poison pill.

Chris

[KEM-MN]

Chris: Thanks,  I apptreciate your post,  good information.

Have a pleasant day!  Ken

[wcf3030]

For the most part a FMJ is plenty unless it gets into some bone and starts to tumble, then it makes a big mess. But they are usally cheaper.
Another route in a frag style bullet that makes one hole and explodes inside the critter.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=341380

[KEM-MN]

wcf3030:  I appreciate your reply. I checked out the midwayusa site,  they sure have a big selection of 243 cal. bullets.

Thanks:  I hope you & yours have a nice Christmas. 

Ken

[sbhooper]

I have shot gobs of coyotes with a .243 and there are very few bullets that are fur friendly.  The fmj would work well on foxes, but I have shot coyotes several times with them and had them run off.  I only loaded them once and still have most of the box left from 20 years ago.  The best fur load that I found was to load a 70 grain Hornady SX down to about 2300 ft per second.  It thumped coyotes and never left more than about a quarter-sized hole.  This was on animals called in to 100 yards or less, though.  If you want to stay with a flat-shooting load, I would say try some of the light V-max at moderate velocity.  Foxes are so small that it is going to be hard to shoot them and not tear them up.  A .22 mag would work great too at closer ranges.