FMJ Rounds For a .243 Win
- Thread starter Sebastian
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The general consesus is that FMJ's only belong on the range when target shooting. Since some states don't allow FMJ's for hunting because there isn't reliable expansion in the animal, most hunters find it irresponsible to use them for hunting. Get a cheap soft point bullet like you would use for deer. They will expand enough to kill the coyote effectively, but not enough to tear a big hole in it.
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Some people look at hunting with FMJs as un-ethical...
Nightvisionary
New member
The 90 grain Sierra Gameking FMJBT is widely available. I used it in my 6x45 before I sold it. It is advertised as a good bullet to choose where pelt damage is a concern.
https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/1535/243-dia-6mm--90-gr-FMJBT
https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/1535/243-dia-6mm--90-gr-FMJBT
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SlickerThanSnot
New member
Originally Posted By: pahntr760
However, in a 243, I have had good luck with Speer 70 gr TNTs and Sierra GK's.
on coyotes and bobcats?
However, in a 243, I have had good luck with Speer 70 gr TNTs and Sierra GK's.
on coyotes and bobcats?
Originally Posted By: SlickerThanSnotOriginally Posted By: pahntr760
However, in a 243, I have had good luck with Speer 70 gr TNTs and Sierra GK's.
on coyotes and bobcats?
Coyotes, yes. Never killed a cat. They have a nice entrance and rarely exit on broadsides (TNTs). And I meant to put Sierra MKs. They will typically pencil through, IME.
I think the only way to really save bobcats or fox is to use a 17cal or rimfires (at moderate ranges). But that's just an observation from here. Again, I've never killed a cat.
However, in a 243, I have had good luck with Speer 70 gr TNTs and Sierra GK's.
on coyotes and bobcats?
Coyotes, yes. Never killed a cat. They have a nice entrance and rarely exit on broadsides (TNTs). And I meant to put Sierra MKs. They will typically pencil through, IME.
I think the only way to really save bobcats or fox is to use a 17cal or rimfires (at moderate ranges). But that's just an observation from here. Again, I've never killed a cat.
Originally Posted By: roky0702The general consesus is that FMJ's only belong on the range when target shooting. Since some states don't allow FMJ's for hunting because there isn't reliable expansion in the animal, most hunters find it irresponsible to use them for hunting. Get a cheap soft point bullet like you would use for deer. They will expand enough to kill the coyote effectively, but not enough to tear a big hole in it.
I am new to hunting, but wouldn't the shock of even a FMJ bullet the size of a .243 easily take out foxes, bobcats, and coyotes?
btw, I looked in the Kansas regulations booklet and I didn't see anything prohibiting FMJ's
I am new to hunting, but wouldn't the shock of even a FMJ bullet the size of a .243 easily take out foxes, bobcats, and coyotes?
btw, I looked in the Kansas regulations booklet and I didn't see anything prohibiting FMJ's
Chupathingy
New member
Originally Posted By: SebastianOriginally Posted By: roky0702The general consesus is that FMJ's only belong on the range when target shooting. Since some states don't allow FMJ's for hunting because there isn't reliable expansion in the animal, most hunters find it irresponsible to use them for hunting. Get a cheap soft point bullet like you would use for deer. They will expand enough to kill the coyote effectively, but not enough to tear a big hole in it.
I am new to hunting, but wouldn't the shock of even a FMJ bullet the size of a .243 easily take out foxes, bobcats, and coyotes?
btw, I looked in the Kansas regulations booklet and I didn't see anything prohibiting FMJ's
What shock?
That is not typically how FMJ's kill. FMJ's rely heavily on yaw on contact to create a significant wound channel and impart it's kinetic energy to the target. Some FMJ's are designed to segment or fragment at the cannelure, but even those are unreliable in its terminal effects.
If you ever believe that FMJ's of any variety is a superior choice over any other choice based upon terminal effects, that's just ignorance. If you find yourself asking about the terminal effects of FMJ's on game, or recommending the use of FMJ's on game, you're 5 or 6 questions AHEAD of where you should be in your education. Meaning, you got a lot to learn yet before you even get to that point.
Chupa
I am new to hunting, but wouldn't the shock of even a FMJ bullet the size of a .243 easily take out foxes, bobcats, and coyotes?
btw, I looked in the Kansas regulations booklet and I didn't see anything prohibiting FMJ's
What shock?
That is not typically how FMJ's kill. FMJ's rely heavily on yaw on contact to create a significant wound channel and impart it's kinetic energy to the target. Some FMJ's are designed to segment or fragment at the cannelure, but even those are unreliable in its terminal effects.
If you ever believe that FMJ's of any variety is a superior choice over any other choice based upon terminal effects, that's just ignorance. If you find yourself asking about the terminal effects of FMJ's on game, or recommending the use of FMJ's on game, you're 5 or 6 questions AHEAD of where you should be in your education. Meaning, you got a lot to learn yet before you even get to that point.
Chupa
Winny Fan
New member
Originally Posted By: ChupathingyOriginally Posted By: SebastianOriginally Posted By: roky0702The general consesus is that FMJ's only belong on the range when target shooting. Since some states don't allow FMJ's for hunting because there isn't reliable expansion in the animal, most hunters find it irresponsible to use them for hunting. Get a cheap soft point bullet like you would use for deer. They will expand enough to kill the coyote effectively, but not enough to tear a big hole in it.
I am new to hunting, but wouldn't the shock of even a FMJ bullet the size of a .243 easily take out foxes, bobcats, and coyotes?
btw, I looked in the Kansas regulations booklet and I didn't see anything prohibiting FMJ's
What shock?
That is not typically how FMJ's kill. FMJ's rely heavily on yaw on contact to create a significant wound channel and impart it's kinetic energy to the target. Some FMJ's are designed to segment or fragment at the cannelure, but even those are unreliable in its terminal effects.
If you ever believe that FMJ's of any variety is a superior choice over any other choice based upon terminal effects, that's just ignorance. If you find yourself asking about the terminal effects of FMJ's on game, or recommending the use of FMJ's on game, you're 5 or 6 questions AHEAD of where you should be in your education. Meaning, you got a lot to learn yet before you even get to that point.
Chupa
There ya' go. Vast and unlimited experience once again raises its head to set the world right.
I am new to hunting, but wouldn't the shock of even a FMJ bullet the size of a .243 easily take out foxes, bobcats, and coyotes?
btw, I looked in the Kansas regulations booklet and I didn't see anything prohibiting FMJ's
What shock?
That is not typically how FMJ's kill. FMJ's rely heavily on yaw on contact to create a significant wound channel and impart it's kinetic energy to the target. Some FMJ's are designed to segment or fragment at the cannelure, but even those are unreliable in its terminal effects.
If you ever believe that FMJ's of any variety is a superior choice over any other choice based upon terminal effects, that's just ignorance. If you find yourself asking about the terminal effects of FMJ's on game, or recommending the use of FMJ's on game, you're 5 or 6 questions AHEAD of where you should be in your education. Meaning, you got a lot to learn yet before you even get to that point.
Chupa
There ya' go. Vast and unlimited experience once again raises its head to set the world right.
canislatrans54
New member
Originally Posted By: SebastianOriginally Posted By: roky0702The general consesus is that FMJ's only belong on the range when target shooting. Since some states don't allow FMJ's for hunting because there isn't reliable expansion in the animal, most hunters find it irresponsible to use them for hunting. Get a cheap soft point bullet like you would use for deer. They will expand enough to kill the coyote effectively, but not enough to tear a big hole in it.
I am new to hunting, but wouldn't the shock of even a FMJ bullet the size of a .243 easily take out foxes, bobcats, and coyotes?
btw, I looked in the Kansas regulations booklet and I didn't see anything prohibiting FMJ's
There are so many "soft" point bullets; hollow point bullets; and "ballistic"-tipped bullets readily available in .243 factory ammo...why on earth would you want to use a FMJ?
In my personal opinion, even if the bullet placement is good, you will have a lot more coyotes running off (which you then will have to track in order to recover), than what it would be worth.
Not only that, but based on my own experiences when I was younger, and shot FMJs from an SKS...FMJ's tend to richocet quite a bit more (even off of non-rocky ground) than soft points or hollow points.
And if you are planning to hunt in the state of Kansas, and are new to hunting.....take note that (as stated in the regulations booklet, as well as on KDWPT's website) NOT all regulations are listed!!!!
So, before just automatically believing that you may use FMJs for predator hunting....I advise contacting your local KDWPT Game Warden, and verifying whether it truly is legal or not.
And on a side not: If you indeed plan on hunting with FMJs in my state, PLEASE, let me know ahead of time exactly where in Kansas you intend to be hunting...so that I will stay away from that area...because I don't want to get shot accently by one of your richoceting bullets.
I am new to hunting, but wouldn't the shock of even a FMJ bullet the size of a .243 easily take out foxes, bobcats, and coyotes?
btw, I looked in the Kansas regulations booklet and I didn't see anything prohibiting FMJ's
There are so many "soft" point bullets; hollow point bullets; and "ballistic"-tipped bullets readily available in .243 factory ammo...why on earth would you want to use a FMJ?
In my personal opinion, even if the bullet placement is good, you will have a lot more coyotes running off (which you then will have to track in order to recover), than what it would be worth.
Not only that, but based on my own experiences when I was younger, and shot FMJs from an SKS...FMJ's tend to richocet quite a bit more (even off of non-rocky ground) than soft points or hollow points.
And if you are planning to hunt in the state of Kansas, and are new to hunting.....take note that (as stated in the regulations booklet, as well as on KDWPT's website) NOT all regulations are listed!!!!
So, before just automatically believing that you may use FMJs for predator hunting....I advise contacting your local KDWPT Game Warden, and verifying whether it truly is legal or not.
And on a side not: If you indeed plan on hunting with FMJs in my state, PLEASE, let me know ahead of time exactly where in Kansas you intend to be hunting...so that I will stay away from that area...because I don't want to get shot accently by one of your richoceting bullets.
fmj's on animals just flat out don't work. sure, on occasion you might put one down relatively quickly but for each one of those, 10 will run for a loooong way. i have used sierra matchkings out of a 308 for coyotes, even with a perfect chest shot they have run 150 to 200 yards. usually with no blood for the first 50 yards or so. without snow it is almost impossible to find them.
if using a 243 for bobcats, you must start with the understanding that you will likely ruin the hides. for coyotes, that is another story. a good bullet in the 243 will do pretty well on coyotes, but if you intend to keep hides you might want to try something a little smaller like a 223 or 204.
if using a 243 for bobcats, you must start with the understanding that you will likely ruin the hides. for coyotes, that is another story. a good bullet in the 243 will do pretty well on coyotes, but if you intend to keep hides you might want to try something a little smaller like a 223 or 204.
Nightvisionary
New member
Originally Posted By: canislatrans54Originally Posted By: SebastianOriginally Posted By: roky0702The general consesus is that FMJ's only belong on the range when target shooting. Since some states don't allow FMJ's for hunting because there isn't reliable expansion in the animal, most hunters find it irresponsible to use them for hunting. Get a cheap soft point bullet like you would use for deer. They will expand enough to kill the coyote effectively, but not enough to tear a big hole in it.
I am new to hunting, but wouldn't the shock of even a FMJ bullet the size of a .243 easily take out foxes, bobcats, and coyotes?
btw, I looked in the Kansas regulations booklet and I didn't see anything prohibiting FMJ's
There are so many "soft" point bullets; hollow point bullets; and "ballistic"-tipped bullets readily available in .243 factory ammo...why on earth would you want to use a FMJ?
In my personal opinion, even if the bullet placement is good, you will have a lot more coyotes running off (which you then will have to track in order to recover), than what it would be worth.
Not only that, but based on my own experiences when I was younger, and shot FMJs from an SKS...FMJ's tend to richocet quite a bit more (even off of non-rocky ground) than soft points or hollow points.
And if you are planning to hunt in the state of Kansas, and are new to hunting.....take note that (as stated in the regulations booklet, as well as on KDWPT's website) NOT all regulations are listed!!!!
So, before just automatically believing that you may use FMJs for predator hunting....I advise contacting your local KDWPT Game Warden, and verifying whether it truly is legal or not.
And on a side not: If you indeed plan on hunting with FMJs in my state, PLEASE, let me know ahead of time exactly where in Kansas you intend to be hunting...so that I will stay away from that area...because I don't want to get shot accently by one of your richoceting bullets.
Oh boy
Well don't ever come to Oregon then or if you do don't leave the Portland city limits. We shoot enough FMJ, tracer, incindiary ammo, and Tannerite out in the woods, mountains and deserts that you'll never want to come west of the Rockies again. We don't wear hunter orange either.
I am new to hunting, but wouldn't the shock of even a FMJ bullet the size of a .243 easily take out foxes, bobcats, and coyotes?
btw, I looked in the Kansas regulations booklet and I didn't see anything prohibiting FMJ's
There are so many "soft" point bullets; hollow point bullets; and "ballistic"-tipped bullets readily available in .243 factory ammo...why on earth would you want to use a FMJ?
In my personal opinion, even if the bullet placement is good, you will have a lot more coyotes running off (which you then will have to track in order to recover), than what it would be worth.
Not only that, but based on my own experiences when I was younger, and shot FMJs from an SKS...FMJ's tend to richocet quite a bit more (even off of non-rocky ground) than soft points or hollow points.
And if you are planning to hunt in the state of Kansas, and are new to hunting.....take note that (as stated in the regulations booklet, as well as on KDWPT's website) NOT all regulations are listed!!!!
So, before just automatically believing that you may use FMJs for predator hunting....I advise contacting your local KDWPT Game Warden, and verifying whether it truly is legal or not.
And on a side not: If you indeed plan on hunting with FMJs in my state, PLEASE, let me know ahead of time exactly where in Kansas you intend to be hunting...so that I will stay away from that area...because I don't want to get shot accently by one of your richoceting bullets.
Oh boy
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Chupathingy
New member
Originally Posted By: pyscodogNow I'm confused.....Is Ireland in Kansas?
Chupa, I get the feeling Winny Fan don't like you to much????
Might be true. But I have him on "Ignore", so I can't see his posts anyway. Putting people on "ignore" is a wonderful thing, really cuts down on the repetitive ridiculousness.
Chupa
Chupa, I get the feeling Winny Fan don't like you to much????
Might be true. But I have him on "Ignore", so I can't see his posts anyway. Putting people on "ignore" is a wonderful thing, really cuts down on the repetitive ridiculousness.
Chupa
Originally Posted By: pyscodogNow I'm confused.....Is Ireland in Kansas?
Chupa, I get the feeling Winny Fan don't like you to much????
Lol, Sorry I didn't clarify, We are are moving to Kansas in about two months. I can hardly wait!
btw, Thanks for the input everybody!
Chupa, I get the feeling Winny Fan don't like you to much????
Lol, Sorry I didn't clarify, We are are moving to Kansas in about two months. I can hardly wait!
btw, Thanks for the input everybody!
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Originally Posted By: canislatrans54Originally Posted By: SebastianOriginally Posted By: roky0702The general consesus is that FMJ's only belong on the range when target shooting. Since some states don't allow FMJ's for hunting because there isn't reliable expansion in the animal, most hunters find it irresponsible to use them for hunting. Get a cheap soft point bullet like you would use for deer. They will expand enough to kill the coyote effectively, but not enough to tear a big hole in it.
I am new to hunting, but wouldn't the shock of even a FMJ bullet the size of a .243 easily take out foxes, bobcats, and coyotes?
btw, I looked in the Kansas regulations booklet and I didn't see anything prohibiting FMJ's
1: There are so many "soft" point bullets; hollow point bullets; and "ballistic"-tipped bullets readily available in .243 factory ammo...why on earth would you want to use a FMJ?
In my personal opinion, even if the bullet placement is good, you will have a lot more coyotes running off (which you then will have to track in order to recover), than what it would be worth.
2: Not only that, but based on my own experiences when I was younger, and shot FMJs from an SKS...FMJ's tend to richocet quite a bit more (even off of non-rocky ground) than soft points or hollow points.
3: And if you are planning to hunt in the state of Kansas, and are new to hunting.....take note that (as stated in the regulations booklet, as well as on KDWPT's website) NOT all regulations are listed!!!!
So, before just automatically believing that you may use FMJs for predator hunting....I advise contacting your local KDWPT Game Warden, and verifying whether it truly is legal or not.
And on a side not: If you indeed plan on hunting with FMJs in my state, PLEASE, let me know ahead of time exactly where in Kansas you intend to be hunting...so that I will stay away from that area...because I don't want to get shot accently by one of your richoceting bullets.
1: I want to use FMJ's because I want to save the pelt
2: I have already taken a hunter safety course and I try to be careful about those kind of things. Thanks for the heads up though.
3: I will defiantly have to do that.
4: Lol, we are moving to Arlington so I'll probably be hunting in that general area. I'll probably only hunt in the winter though.
Incidentally, It would be cool to go out sometime with someone that knows what they are doing.
I am new to hunting, but wouldn't the shock of even a FMJ bullet the size of a .243 easily take out foxes, bobcats, and coyotes?
btw, I looked in the Kansas regulations booklet and I didn't see anything prohibiting FMJ's
1: There are so many "soft" point bullets; hollow point bullets; and "ballistic"-tipped bullets readily available in .243 factory ammo...why on earth would you want to use a FMJ?
In my personal opinion, even if the bullet placement is good, you will have a lot more coyotes running off (which you then will have to track in order to recover), than what it would be worth.
2: Not only that, but based on my own experiences when I was younger, and shot FMJs from an SKS...FMJ's tend to richocet quite a bit more (even off of non-rocky ground) than soft points or hollow points.
3: And if you are planning to hunt in the state of Kansas, and are new to hunting.....take note that (as stated in the regulations booklet, as well as on KDWPT's website) NOT all regulations are listed!!!!
So, before just automatically believing that you may use FMJs for predator hunting....I advise contacting your local KDWPT Game Warden, and verifying whether it truly is legal or not.
And on a side not: If you indeed plan on hunting with FMJs in my state, PLEASE, let me know ahead of time exactly where in Kansas you intend to be hunting...so that I will stay away from that area...because I don't want to get shot accently by one of your richoceting bullets.
1: I want to use FMJ's because I want to save the pelt
2: I have already taken a hunter safety course and I try to be careful about those kind of things. Thanks for the heads up though.
3: I will defiantly have to do that.
4: Lol, we are moving to Arlington so I'll probably be hunting in that general area. I'll probably only hunt in the winter though.
Incidentally, It would be cool to go out sometime with someone that knows what they are doing.
Originally Posted By: 6724fmj's on animals just flat out don't work. sure, on occasion you might put one down relatively quickly but for each one of those, 10 will run for a loooong way. i have used sierra matchkings out of a 308 for coyotes, even with a perfect chest shot they have run 150 to 200 yards. usually with no blood for the first 50 yards or so. without snow it is almost impossible to find them.
if using a 243 for bobcats, you must start with the understanding that you will likely ruin the hides. for coyotes, that is another story. a good bullet in the 243 will do pretty well on coyotes, but if you intend to keep hides you might want to try something a little smaller like a 223 or 204.
If I had the money I would lol, All I have to work with now is my dads 20 gauge and .22, and my .243. I am also thinking of getting a 12 gauge.
if using a 243 for bobcats, you must start with the understanding that you will likely ruin the hides. for coyotes, that is another story. a good bullet in the 243 will do pretty well on coyotes, but if you intend to keep hides you might want to try something a little smaller like a 223 or 204.
If I had the money I would lol, All I have to work with now is my dads 20 gauge and .22, and my .243. I am also thinking of getting a 12 gauge.