Opinion on shot placement

[hunt0168]

The friend that I took is now hooked and bought a new 243 this week. Whenever helping him look for some ammo I came across the 76gr Norma TripStrike. I've had very good success with the 223 55gr TipStrike so I told him to order a box to see how his rifle likes it.

Have you ever tried the Norma?

Not for predators. I've been using Norma "Medium Game" in my 308's for deer since 2020 with no complaints.

The HSM 243 with the 75gr Vmax were a good fit for my Tikka. Reasonably priced as well. The Winchester loads just shoot a bit tighter groups so I'm running those until they prove problematic. So far they have been very effective, but I need to increase the sample size quite a bit before bragging them up too much. So far I like the bang flops!

 

[hm1996]

Bob, if you get a chance, try the 87 gr. Speer hollow point varmint bullet. Had a great load, given to me for my 243 WSSM by Mike @ Dtech. Shot one hole groups and never had a runner on a coyote. Should do the same in the 243 Win.

 

[DoubleLungRage]

Not for predators. I've been using Norma "Medium Game" in my 308's for deer since 2020 with no complaints.

The HSM 243 with the 75gr Vmax were a good fit for my Tikka. Reasonably priced as well. The Winchester loads just shoot a bit tighter groups so I'm running those until they prove problematic. So far they have been very effective, but I need to increase the sample size quite a bit before bragging them up too much. So far I like the bang flops!

I was shooting the HSM 75gr VMAX in my 6 arc with great success. The only reason I switched to Druid Hill is b/c I can get them in a 50rd box.

 

[22magnum22]

Looking at the video on my phone it looked like the coyote was turned more, like it's rearend was more to the right. That's why I said it may have passed through without going deep enough to hit any of the vitals. Looking at the blown-up picture, if that's where your rifle went off then I don't see how the coyote made it off.

As for my friend's shot. Unfortunately, the RAV didn't come on so there's no way to tell exactly where the rifle went off. I was watching the coyote through my scanner when he shot and the coyote dropped straight to the ground like a DRT shot then about two seconds later got up and ran off. It ran a good 60-70 yards before it got to the wood line so he must have pulled on the shot. I shot my rifle since and it's as on as I can get a thermal. The shot was with a 6mm ARC 75gr VMAX. I don't have a chrono, but Druid Hill lists them a around 2977fps out of an 18'', my rifle is a 20''.

The one I shot last night, is another that I'm amazed she ran that far. Perfect hit, quarter sized exit. You can see all the blood in the video whenever the bullet hit. They are crazy tough animals.

Even though I don't like taking them, I will take a frontal shot. I thought I hit this one dead center until I went and got her. When I blew up and slowed down the video, the rifle went off exactly where the bullet hit. I pulled the shot. She was still a bang flop.

View attachment 25591

Same shot placement, same result. Hornady Custom 87gr Vmax. This is exit as I rolled her over and she also had sizable blood loss. Notice how ballooned her neck is.
Muzzle velocity rated at 3240 and around 160 yds.