A hot-rolled steel sheet not exceeding a coil opener allowable load during unwinding includes a steel sheet cut in unsteady portions at its longitudinal head and tail ends in a cutting step after a rough rolling step, having a width of 1,200 mm to 2,300 mm, a thickness of 13 mm to 25.4 mm, and at least an API standard X65-grade strength, and used in a state of being unwound after having been wound around a coil. A longitudinal end corresponding to the unwinding start includes a portion at its widthwise center recessed inwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to its two widthwise ends, the two widthwise ends projection sizes with respect to the recessed portion at the widthwise center are 20 to 295 mm, and the sum of the widths of projecting portions at the two widthwise ends is set to ¼ to ½ of the sheet width.