Hornady 87Gr SP 6mm #2440

mattm

mattm

New member
Quick question - is this bullet (the 87gr SP not the plastic tip 87 V-max) GTG for deer/antelope. I plan on launchung it from .243 Win in the 3000 fps range for the small AZ Coues deer nothing bigger than 110 pounds. I shoot behind the shoulder for double lungs and (hopefully) top of heart not thru shoulder blade. Opinions, okay to use or save for coyotes?
Thanks
 
Hornady's ballistics calculator run out at 2850fps muzzle shows a retained energy of 1032f/p at 200 yards. IMO, with good expansion, that is plenty for Coues.

Ballistics Calculation

Input Variables Firearm type Rifle Sight Height 1.5
Bullet Weight (grains) 87 Ballistic Coefficient .327
Muzzle Velocity (fps) 2850 Temperature 59
Barometric Pressure (hg) 29.53 Relative Humidity 78%
Zero Range (yards) 100 Wind Speed (mph) 0



Ballistics Table in Yards 87 gr., .327 B.C. www.hornady.com

Range (yards) Muzzle 50 100 200 300 400 500
Velocity (fps) 2850 2709 2572 2311 2065 1835 1623
Energy (ft.-lb.) 1569 1418 1278 1032 824 650 509
Trajectory (100 yd. zero) -1.5 -0.2 0.0 -3.7 -14.0 -32.5 -61.4
Come Up in MOA -1.5 0.3 0.0 1.8 4.5 7.8 11.7




The following table is provided as a "cheat sheet" that you can tape to your gun.
Ballistics Table in Yards 87 gr., .327 B.C. www.hornady.com

Range (yards) Muzzle 50 100 200 300 400 500
Trajectory (100 yd. zero) -1.5 -0.2 0.0 -3.7 -14.0 -32.5 -61.4
Come Up in MOA -1.5 0.3 0.0 1.8 4.5 7.8 11.7


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Ballistics Calculator v1.0
Hornady Mfg, Inc., by ARIS, Inc.
 
I have heard of guys using this bullet for small deer and antelope. It must be tougher than the old 87 gr. BTHP from Hornady, I always found that one to be pretty explosive. I sure wouldn't use the Hornady BTHP for deer judging from my experience on predators and varmints. Maybe the softpoint is considerably tougher? Another bullet that I have heard is an excellent bullet for deer/antelope use is the 85 gr. Speer boattail spitzer. I have no experience with it. I have lots of experience with the Sierra 85 gr. HPBT Game King and it has been superb for me as a general purpose predator/deer bullet. I have killed some fair size whitetail bucks with the little Sierra with perfect results. If you really wanted to play it safe the 85 gr. Nosler Partition or better the Barnes TSX would be worry free.
 
i used the 87 grain sp on antelope last heart lung shot at 375 yards and it worked great not much left of the heart or lungs and it did not make a huge exit, in fact the exit was about an inch across, we have taken several whitetails with it also that we much closer with the same results
 
Yes, it will work. I killed a lot of antelope with that bullet. The 85g Speer BTSP is also a great deer bullet with a BC of .401.

When I was shooting antelpe with that 87g Hornady, I shot a load of 44.0g of IMR 4350 with a Win primer. Velocity with this load is in the 3250 fps area, depending on the gun.

I would not worry about the shoulder blade, if that is where you want to shoot them.

Be prepared to shoot 300-400 yards. If you knock him down and he is still flopp'en, shoot him again.

Go to Rio Salado and practice if you get the chance.
 
The 85 gr. BTSP by speer also work very well on antelope. I load them with H4895. My friend shot a coyote in sept with it and there was little exit wounds when we skinned it out (no sewing required). He hit it in the front shoulder/neck area.
 
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