243 ballistic tips

[dirtdobber47]

Have any of ya'll use the nosler ballistic tip for deer hunting?  Pros and cons.   Thanks  

[safari]

I've used thousands of the 70gr ballistic tips for prarie dog shooting, and they are super explosive on the little rodents. I  personally would not use a ballistic tip, even a 100gr, if you want reliable penetration in a 243.  The 100gr. uses a   heavier jacket than the 70 gr. but still the polymer tip enhances fragmentation  and the ballistic tips  have a reputation for  blowing up on closer shots and damaging more meat than is necessary. I am thinking more along the lines of a Barnes triple shock, Partition, or even a  Hornady Interlock soft point(my favorite) or a Rem  corelokt soft point that will give the shock and penetration needed for a clean kill. I use a .270 most of the time and occasionally a .308 for deer, and they perform flawlessly with 150gr. Hornady BTSP Interlocks-

[Redhawk1]

There are a lot better choices for deer in the 243. I would not use the ballistic tips on deer. Like safari said, they are to explosive and lack penetration.  

[qballs]

I have been using the 95 grain Ballistic Tips and have not had any problems.  I have also not shot a lot of deer with them.  Maybe I should be looking at a different bullet?  I get great groups for me (just under 1") but have not had any real close shots.  I guess I will have to work up another load :grin:

[dirtdobber47]

Thanks guys, I think I'll say with my sierra bt's.

[canonF-1]

You need to elaborate more when you mention deer hunting.  Across the country, deer vary quite a bit in size and terrain you hunt them in.

I can't recommend Ballistic Tips for deer hunting in Idaho from a 243 regardless of bullet weight.  But then I can't recommend Ballistic Tips for much of any caliber as I have seen them to be too unpredictable for me.  Then again, there are many who hunt with little else.

F-1

[Steve P]

I have taken a few deer with ballistic tips in 7mm.  All dropped like a rock.
All exited far side.  

I have seen deer shot with a .22 also.

So....you have to do what is smart.  
I have a 243 wssm that I will be working up loads soon.  
Some will be ballistic tips.  Deer loads will be Partitions.

Steve  

[Redhawk1]

I have taken a few deer with ballistic tips in 7mm.  All dropped like a rock.
All exited far side.  

I have seen deer shot with a .22 also.

So....you have to do what is smart.  
I have a 243 wssm that I will be working up loads soon.  
Some will be ballistic tips.  Deer loads will be Partitions.

Steve  

The ballistic tips in 7mm and 30 cal have thicker wall construction, than the 243 ballistic tips. There are varment ballistic tips and bigger game ballistic tips, it is up to the hunter to make sure he uses the correct bullet construction.  Sure you can use a .22 and kill deer, but there are a lot of better choices.  It is called common sense.

[TCBrian]

Ballistic tips are great for deer if not pushed too fast, but they do come apart very easy if they hit bone or are shot at very close range. I have only seen a couple big game animals shot with them and all dropped instantly, but they bullets did come apart. The BTs used were 120s is a 6.5x55 and 165s in a .308.
They are very good and accurate, but I would like to see them make a 100gr accubond for 6mm guys. It should fly the same as the ballistic tip, but hold together a little better when hitting bone. That would probably be a great bullet for any fairly high velocity 6mm cartridge.
Until then, I would look at a sierra game king or one of the other 100gr bullets mentioned.
I have a .243, but have only used it on varmits, so I can't speak from experience on deer with that cartridge.

Brian

[jcunclejoe]

I worked for Nosler for over 6 years as a tooling engineer and have shot a whole lot of Ballistic tip bullets.
I have watched my cousin shoot many deer with his 243 and a 95gr Ballistic tip. Most exited and all were very quick kills. I have seen several that went through both shoulders with complete penetration or very close to complete penetration. The Ballistic Tip is an excellent deer bullet, if used on a broadside shot, even through the shoulders. It is destructive, and it will damage meat if shot into the shoulders.
If it can be placed behind the front shoulder for a heart lung shot it is very close to a perfect bullet. I personally use 95 or 100 gr partitions for deer in my 243 and 6mm. I would rather have the ability to penetrate from any angle since I hunt in thick timber quite often.
For hunting with my 6BR or 6 TCU, both XP-100's, I use the 95gr Ballistic Tip. It works perfectly at handgun velocities and penetrates very well.
If you want to use the Ballistic Tip for deer you should have every confidence that it will perform well.
Joe

[Steve P]

""For hunting with my 6BR or 6 TCU, both XP-100's, I use the 95gr Ballistic Tip. It works perfectly at handgun velocities and penetrates very well. ""

Who you trying to kid Joe?  You hunt deer with a bow!!   :shock:

Gotta kid the sillywetters when I get a chance.   :-D

I agree the 95 gr BTs might be good for deer in the 6mm guns.  I have hit a few coyotes and badger with my Ruger .243.  They worked good.

I just picked up a new model 70 in .243 wssm.  I will use partitions.   I have more confidence in them for antelope and bigger animals.  Especially when I am going to eating the meat.

Steve  

[jcunclejoe]

No Steve, I hunt elk with a bow and deer with some sort of Triple P combination. (Primer, Powder, Projectile)
Maybe someday I might try deer with a bow but I'm going to have to get a whole lot more sneaky, or at least more patient.
Shoot well and shoot often.
Joe