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missloumudcat
Guest
Assumming all thing equal, what would y'all consider as the best 243 factory round for deer. Where I live the biggest I'll shoot would be 220 or so.
thanks
thanks
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30378
Guest
Factory stuff I would use Federal premium with the Nosler partition. For handloading I would still use the Nosler partition.
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Jackson~in~GA
Guest
For deer size game the Old fashioned Remington Core lokt is pretty hard to beat. All in all it is probably one of the more dependable "factory" deer bullets ever made in my opinion.
Kevin Ballowe
Member
A soft-point in the 85 grain variety.
NOT a "premium bullet" unless you intend to shoot one "end-to-end".
Have seen a lot of deer "drilled" with a heavy .243 bullet. Translation: no expansion.
The Remington 80 grain soft point in factory ammo works well.
My personal favorite (for handloading) is the Hornady 87 grain soft point, although I have had excellent results also with the Hornady 75 grain hollowpoint.
You did say white-tailed deer, right?
NOT a "premium bullet" unless you intend to shoot one "end-to-end".
Have seen a lot of deer "drilled" with a heavy .243 bullet. Translation: no expansion.
The Remington 80 grain soft point in factory ammo works well.
My personal favorite (for handloading) is the Hornady 87 grain soft point, although I have had excellent results also with the Hornady 75 grain hollowpoint.
You did say white-tailed deer, right?
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Rich K
Guest
I think you will get many varied results offered, pretty much down to personal preference and what has worked for individuals. On that standing I will throw the 95 grain Nosler BT into the ring. I think they are accurate, reasoanbly priced, consistant from batch to batch and have controlled expansion unless hit solid bone e.g shoulder
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roninflag
Guest
best .243 for deer
the hornady 100 grain light magnum. ( shot out of a 1 in 10"twist krieger barrel, 26" long , .830" at the muzzle) . would be my first choice. right there would be the 100 grain nosler partiton. and i would say that any of the heavier like 87 to 100 grain bullets are ok. i have shot a lot with the 85 grain sierra bthp too. those were smaller deer in the 135 to 150 pound range. it is most important where you hit them.
the hornady 100 grain light magnum. ( shot out of a 1 in 10"twist krieger barrel, 26" long , .830" at the muzzle) . would be my first choice. right there would be the 100 grain nosler partiton. and i would say that any of the heavier like 87 to 100 grain bullets are ok. i have shot a lot with the 85 grain sierra bthp too. those were smaller deer in the 135 to 150 pound range. it is most important where you hit them.
243 for deer
There are two thoughts on this issue. One is use a super explosive bullet and only make lung or head shots. The second use a bonded core bullet or partitioned bullet. I have to shoot does for management purposes and have shot several hundreds deer over the last 40 years.
Nothing will stop a deer quicker than a 85 grain hollow point traveling 3400 fps to the lungs broadside.
Nothing is more disturbing is to shoot a deer with a 85 grain hollow point and not make a quick humane kill.
I am a firm believer in shooting a 243 with a 8-8.5 twist barrel with 90 grain Swift Sciroccos II or Nosler Accubonds at 3200fps. I find them to be the best bullet combination if you are going to shoot a .243.
Rustystud
There are two thoughts on this issue. One is use a super explosive bullet and only make lung or head shots. The second use a bonded core bullet or partitioned bullet. I have to shoot does for management purposes and have shot several hundreds deer over the last 40 years.
Nothing will stop a deer quicker than a 85 grain hollow point traveling 3400 fps to the lungs broadside.
Nothing is more disturbing is to shoot a deer with a 85 grain hollow point and not make a quick humane kill.
I am a firm believer in shooting a 243 with a 8-8.5 twist barrel with 90 grain Swift Sciroccos II or Nosler Accubonds at 3200fps. I find them to be the best bullet combination if you are going to shoot a .243.
Rustystud
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Robert_in_MT
Guest
Factory stuff I would use Federal premium with the Nosler partition
I have to say best factory load out there, you can do better handloading though. Any of the 308 family are very easy to load for.
RC
I have to say best factory load out there, you can do better handloading though. Any of the 308 family are very easy to load for.
RC
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missloumudcat
Guest
Thanks for the advice to all.
My first choice was the Barnes TSX 85 grain. Then the old faithful partition in 100 grain. I have been doing some reading and I see where Hornady has a 95 grain SST (super shock tip) in their light magnum loads that has teh energy of the 100 grain partition and the flat shoting capability of the 85 TSX. Has anyone used these before?
My first choice was the Barnes TSX 85 grain. Then the old faithful partition in 100 grain. I have been doing some reading and I see where Hornady has a 95 grain SST (super shock tip) in their light magnum loads that has teh energy of the 100 grain partition and the flat shoting capability of the 85 TSX. Has anyone used these before?
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Crusader
Guest
100 gr Sierra Gamekings always worked really good on deer out of my 6mm Remington. Honestly, you hit it in the right spot, it wont matter what you use. You hit it in the wrong spot, it probably doesnt matter much what you use either.
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Roger rodbolt
Guest
Crusader said it well, the .243/6mm will kill very quickly with a patient, properly placed shot. Absent that I've helped track far too many cripples with this caliber. The best factory round will be the .243Winchester necked up to 7mm or .308 with your choice of a 140gr or 150gr big game bullets!
While I've take several large whitetail with the .243, 6mm Remmie and 240 Weatherby without losing one, I have seen less then ideal penetration even with my favorite, the Nosler 100 grain partition. The 95gr PT is good as is the mentioned Sierra plus the Remington 100gr Corelock, if they still make it.
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copnjax
Guest
My vote is for the Federal Premium Nosler Partition. That's all I'll use for deer hunting. Just my opinion, though.
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Glad to see another core lokt fan out there.
I loaded some 300 WSM 150 CL for my granddaugher-75% loads with H4895 as Hodgdon suggested. Son shot one with it and it went length of deer and ended up alongside the ham on same side of the deer. Had a large jagged piece of the jacket sticking out. MV about 2100 fps.
I loaded some 300 WSM 150 CL for my granddaugher-75% loads with H4895 as Hodgdon suggested. Son shot one with it and it went length of deer and ended up alongside the ham on same side of the deer. Had a large jagged piece of the jacket sticking out. MV about 2100 fps.
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Waylan Kisor
Guest
I never used a 243 for deer, but a very good friend of mine who has killed a lot of book caliber bucks used 48 gr. of IMR 4831 behind Grand Slams or Partitions in the 85 gr. range. He was shooting a pre 64 Winnie and placed his shots accurately. Most dropped in their tracks.
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NewZealand-243
Guest
Here in New Zealand we have 7 species of deer ranging from Fallow (quite a bit smaller than a whitetail) through to Wapiti (Like a very large elk).
I am a professional guide here in New Zealand and shoot more deer (or stalk customers onto more deer) in one year than most people will see in their life.
To effectively, efficeintly, humanely and cleanly kill a deer you want at least 1000 foot pounds of energy on impact.
I only hunt with and let my customers use my Remington Model 7 Predator.
I only use the Hornady Custom Series 95grain SST round.
https://www.hornady.com/shop/?page=ballistics/popup&product_sku=80464
This is THE ULTIMATE deer cartridge.
It is so versitile, and perfect for every type of game animal here in new zealand.
They open up almost instantly on impact but still manage to penetrate quite well. I have not had one penetrate right through an animal yet.
This is EXCELLENT because ALL of the bullet energy is then absorbed by the animal, causing massive trauma and hemeoraging and killing them where they stand.
I recently shot a big stag(buck) in the neck at 30 meters, just about took its head clean off! The same trip I shot a hind(doe) at about 300meters through the shoulder, went straight down.
I am a professional guide here in New Zealand and shoot more deer (or stalk customers onto more deer) in one year than most people will see in their life.
To effectively, efficeintly, humanely and cleanly kill a deer you want at least 1000 foot pounds of energy on impact.
I only hunt with and let my customers use my Remington Model 7 Predator.
I only use the Hornady Custom Series 95grain SST round.
https://www.hornady.com/shop/?page=ballistics/popup&product_sku=80464
This is THE ULTIMATE deer cartridge.
It is so versitile, and perfect for every type of game animal here in new zealand.
They open up almost instantly on impact but still manage to penetrate quite well. I have not had one penetrate right through an animal yet.
This is EXCELLENT because ALL of the bullet energy is then absorbed by the animal, causing massive trauma and hemeoraging and killing them where they stand.
I recently shot a big stag(buck) in the neck at 30 meters, just about took its head clean off! The same trip I shot a hind(doe) at about 300meters through the shoulder, went straight down.
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Octopus
Guest
Bottom line!
With the 243 the bullet placement is more important than the bullet.
At longer ranges, past 100 yards, poor bullet placement = long chase!
If you shoot long, hit right or have a friend with a good trail dog.
In the distant past my dog Diamond was the cold nose dog of record. In gun season at least once a week we would cold trail "hard hit" monster bucks that had been shot with small bore rifles at longer ranges. Most went miles before we found them, if they were hit.
I have shot 25 Cal for the past 40 years. I only head or neck shoot with these smaller bullets. With the .284 and up bullets heart and lung shots work.
Spend your time at the range and know how your rifle shoots. Never extend beyond your practice range. If you can not hit a 2" dot at 200 yards five for five off a bench then you know your limitations.
Practice at the range is far more important than the bullet type.
With the 243 the bullet placement is more important than the bullet.
At longer ranges, past 100 yards, poor bullet placement = long chase!
If you shoot long, hit right or have a friend with a good trail dog.
In the distant past my dog Diamond was the cold nose dog of record. In gun season at least once a week we would cold trail "hard hit" monster bucks that had been shot with small bore rifles at longer ranges. Most went miles before we found them, if they were hit.
I have shot 25 Cal for the past 40 years. I only head or neck shoot with these smaller bullets. With the .284 and up bullets heart and lung shots work.
Spend your time at the range and know how your rifle shoots. Never extend beyond your practice range. If you can not hit a 2" dot at 200 yards five for five off a bench then you know your limitations.
Practice at the range is far more important than the bullet type.
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papapaul
Guest
Best factory ammo for whitetail deer: Remmington 100 gr. Cheap, plentiful. The bullet doesn't stand up on the cheap federal 100s.
keithcandler
New member
New Zealand.....
that is some great information!
I used the 95g Nosler partition that causes massive trauma, and penetration, loaded with 43.0g of IMR 4350, WLR primer.
I need to try those SST's! Thanks for the tip!
that is some great information!
I used the 95g Nosler partition that causes massive trauma, and penetration, loaded with 43.0g of IMR 4350, WLR primer.
I need to try those SST's! Thanks for the tip!
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CWPINST
Guest
Here is a study done by our DNR's Chief Deer Biologist. It consists of nearly 500 deer harvests and is pretty extensive. The bottom line is that once you got to .243 caliber......caliber DIDN'T matter, but bullet type DID. Interesting read.
http://www.scilowcountry.org/cedar_knoll_deer_study.htm
http://www.scilowcountry.org/cedar_knoll_deer_study.htm
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RBetts
Guest
24 deer to 208#s dress weight I load the 85 grn hpgk Serria to the same spec as the Federal premium load 3350fps 24 one shot kills longest tracking job was measured in feet not yards.
My wife and her sons all hunt this caliber now. The all can shoot it well because it is easily shootable. I'd try another load if this didn't work so well but 3 rifles all shoot 3 shot groups under 3/4" by them. None of them can shoot my 06 into 5 inches yet the rifle shoots 3/4" or better with 3 loads. The 270 I use is the same story. They don't shoot it as well as the 243. If we go after Elk or Moose they will have to learn but for now why bother. The boys haven't gotten the bug yet. Now that the boys are older and physically able to shoot the larger guns I will let them decide next season
My wife and her sons all hunt this caliber now. The all can shoot it well because it is easily shootable. I'd try another load if this didn't work so well but 3 rifles all shoot 3 shot groups under 3/4" by them. None of them can shoot my 06 into 5 inches yet the rifle shoots 3/4" or better with 3 loads. The 270 I use is the same story. They don't shoot it as well as the 243. If we go after Elk or Moose they will have to learn but for now why bother. The boys haven't gotten the bug yet. Now that the boys are older and physically able to shoot the larger guns I will let them decide next season