BEST DEER BULLET FOR 243

[vernonp]

I LOADED THE 243 FOR DEER A LONG TIME AGO AND ALL I CONSIDERED WAS 100 gar. BULLETS. NOW THAT BARNES, SPEER ta.ba BEAR CLAW AND SOME OTHER MAKERS OF PREMIUM BULLETS ARE MAKING 85 gar. BULLETS THAT WILL STAY TOGETHER, I WAS THINKING THESE MAY BE BETTER. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE FOLKS THAT HAVE USED THESE BULLETS ON DEER. I THINK THE 243 PRESENTS A DIFFERENT CHALLENGE THAN THE LARGER CALIBERS BECAUSE ALMOST ANY BULLET WILL DO THE JOB IN A 270 OR 30 CALIBER. yOUR INPUT WILL BE APPRECIATED     THANKS MUCH

[ricciardelli]

Sierra 85 grain HPBT

[jhalcott]

vern,I stopped using the 100 gr bullets in my 6mm's because they seemed to act like fmj's when they hit a deer.In my state ,if a deer runs 100 yards some body else will be tagging it when you get there. I went to 85 Sierra hp's and NEVER had a deer run more than 10/15 yards after a hit behind the shoulder. Most just fell right there! Deer were killed from 20 yards to 200+ yards with one shot. Even poorly hit deer(not my shooting)only went 30/40 yards and laid down.A nephew hit a small buck thru the shoulder and watched the animal until I, and his dad, got there. A buddy of mine went to them in his 243 and said it was like a whole new gun.
jh

[flintlock]

I have used the same 243 since 1980....Have used all the 100 grain factory loads....started using Federal Premium Sierra 85gr BTHP about 4 years ago....excellent bullet....please go to Deer Hunting and see my two posts on this subject...Good Luck...flintlock

[skb2706]

not sure if its the best or not but from a little informal experimenting I am going to try the new Barnes TSX 85 gr. in my 6mm. If their terminal performance is anything like their accuracy, deer will go down.

[Rmouleart]

There are many good bullets for white tail using the 243 win,but I would stay with at least 100gr sp bullet, I like the hornady interlock sp comes in flatbase or boat tail both shot cloverleaf;) proved field tested bullet. Remember stay away from varmint bullets, they might frag on impact if they hit solid bone.
you want to find a good thick sp jacket in a 100gr bullet to be suitable for big game whitetail deer, also shot placement is most important using such a small bullet, for the most part 150-180gr bullets are common bullet weights for whitetails using 30 cals. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

[Darrell Davis]

Hello there 243 shooters,

Will add my couple pennies worth and put in a plug for the 100gr. Nosler partition.

It WILL NOT act like a FMJ slug, yet will hold together and penertrate very well for such a small slug

Yes I know there are many other good bullets these days, and how lucky we are, but it is just very hard to do better then the Nosler.

I have used them since the time when they had machine marks on the outside and a grove around them to prevent to much pressure AND I have NEVER had one let me down on anything - big or small.

I have also seen them go through areas where a typical bullet would have created a lot of damage. They did their thing and didn't make any unneeded mess.

They are a great bullet!

Keep em coming! :wink:

[Lloyd Smale]

I have a rem classic in 6mm and its been the family handaround gun for about 20 years its taken many a whitetail. Ive used the sieara 100 grain flat base spitzer and its never failed to bring home the meat.

[longwinters]

For my 243 I would opt for the Nosler Partition also.  I am sure that many other bullets would do the job very well, but I have a lot of confidence in partitions.

long

[SLAVAGE]

i took 4 deer the past year with the 95 gr sst by hornady closest was about 50 yards furthest was 160 ish never tock a step every one keeled over i actually recovered 2 of the slugs after diging around for a while an long an behold the boss threw them in the can so if your willing to wait a few more months ill get one from the turkey, boar an a few deer well time pending of course
but  i've been thinking of going 115 i think barns makes them for elk if i get picked now the rocks will get tossed  a 143 for elk but like i have said its not what you carry its were you hit an how far a way it is

[Selmer]

Another vote for the Nosler partition.  The .243 is a fine deer round in the hands of a decent marksman, but it almost requires the use of a Nosler partition or bullet of similar construction is case you mess up on your end of the gun.  It will act like a typical spitzer until it sheds the front core and the rest of the shank will penetrate any deer I've run into, including one that I saw shot in the brisket and it took out a hambone on the way out and kept on going, and this was a South Dakote mule deer buck, dressed at a little under 275 lbs., and I was the one doing the shooting, it was done at just over 100 yds and it was the only shot I had because he had busted me on my stalk.  We have a friend who insists we load 95gr. ballistic tips for him, we don't agree with him, but he loves them, he's shot 5 deer in the last 5 years with 5 shots, and he says they don't take more than four or five steps, but he also keeps shots under 200 yds and shoots from a stand with a rest.  Use the partition for extra insurance.
Selmer

[rickt300]

If your the kind of guy that takes any shot he can get the nosler partiton is the way to go along with the 105 grain Speer bullet. If you take only broadside shots the 85 Sierra HPBT, 100 grain CL, Hornady IL and the 87 grain Hornady flat base spitzer will serve you well

[Dave in WV]

I've watched the debate over the .243 for a few years now. IMHO which bullet is the best for you usually dependes on where and how you hunt. The where involves most distances you expect to shoot. Some bullets won't give ample expansion at a distance. The how involves your shot placement. A hunter that wants to shoot at any angle needs a penetration bullet and one that waits for a broadside shot doesn't. My son and I use 100gr Core-Lokts we load ourselves. Ranges are usually under 100 yards and while we don't aim for the shoulder, we can and still get our deer. I have never recovered a .243 bullet, my son has recovered two.

[dakotashooter2]

I have used the Core Lokts on several occasions and have not had a problem. I have also seen a few shot with 85 gr HPs and it ended up as a long tracking job as they blew up on the shoulder.