Author Topic: 85gr BTHP in .243 for deer??? (Read 2295 times)

flintlock · « **on:** February 18, 2004, 07:48:42 AM »

Have any of you guys tried the Sierra Gameking 85 gr BTHP in
.243 caliber for deer??? Federal loads this in their Premium line.
flintlock

SingleShotShorty · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2004, 11:11:41 AM »

I have not tried them, I shoot 100 grain Nosler Partitions for whitetail in my 243 with great success.

I shot a buck opening day of last season with a 100 grain Nosler Partition at 422 yards in the chest and he went down like he had been hit by lightning. I do admit that I was one of the non believers about the little 243 until that shot. The 243 loaded with 100 grainers is an excellent deer rifle.

I know a guy in northern Kansas that hunts 200# + Whitetails with 70 grain Ballistic Tips and says that he has good luck with them but I simply think they are to light for the job. He has admitted that he has lost a couple of nice bucks and I'm trying to get him to switch to Nosler 100 grain Partitions.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2004, 01:51:23 PM »

I wouldn't recommend using any bullets that weigh under 100gr for deer other than Nosler Partitions or Barnes X bullets. The reason is you may get less penetration than you need with the 85gr bullets.

jhm · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2004, 02:54:21 PM »

Flintlock : I have to agree with dave the 85 is a little light for deer, I am sure you can kill deer all day long if the shot is perfect, but we all know how often that happens, go with the 100 gr and I saw someone makes a 105 gr. cant remember who but I believe you will be much happier.

JIM

TCAS · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2004, 03:02:23 PM »

I tried the 85g nosler in my Savage Pistol and had very poor results on deer. then switched over to my 80 grain varmint bullets and have not lost a deer yet or had any run over 40 yards.

Keep in mind it was a pistol. with lower velocity.

TCAS

BRL · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2004, 03:23:07 PM »

I will have to admit...I have heard of deer being killed with 80gr and 85gr bullets, so I know they can do the job. However, I just feel so much more confident in the woods with the 100gr. I think, a confident shooter is a better shooter. Works for me anyway. Either way, good luck finding the right bullet and load for you and your gun.

foxcaller · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2004, 07:22:29 PM »

I will speak up for the 85 grain Gameking. It is my favorite bullet in 243 for antelope and small deer. Loaded to around 3200 fps it is absolutley deadly.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2004, 02:52:51 AM »

foxcaller, how far away were the deer and antelope when you shot?

foxcaller · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2004, 05:42:50 AM »

Dave in Wy, the last animal I shot with the bullet was in Oct in area 43 near Arlington. I shot a doe at a ranged 316 yds right through the chest and she was dead before she hit the ground. I shot a Coues whitetail here in AZ at 425 yds with the same bullet with the same result. Closer shots from 100-175 yds on deer and antelope have done the deed for me with excellent results. This bullet is defintely tough enough to use for "small" big game.

foxcaller · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2004, 05:47:43 AM »

Dave, I misread your locaton, I thought you were from Wyoming and I now see it really is West Virginia. Well, in case you are wondering, area 43 is in Wyoming where we go most years to do our antelope hunting.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2004, 04:08:38 PM »

foxcaller, easy mistake. The reason I asked is Kenny Jarrett of the super accurate rifle fame is a fan of the 85gr bullets in a .243. He's a long range guru and I respect that. At longer ranges a 85gr bullet for deer may work ok. I've only actually seen antelope at F.E. Warren AFB in WY. I spent a night there a few years ago and got to roam about a bit. Most of the west I've seen was through a C-130 windscreen. Up close and personal I like a 100gr bullet for my .243. Each to their own. Good hunting.

hillbill · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2004, 06:49:14 PM »

yu cant go wrong with the 100 grn! killed a bunch of deerr critters with them, never fails. are yu gaining that much with the 85?

Dave in WV · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2004, 05:38:33 AM »

hillbill, IMHO you don't gain a thing with an 85gr bullet. If you use a bullet designed for varmints you lose something and that is penetration. The 100gr bullets are more reliable unless you're talking premium bullets that are up to the job.

alsatian · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2004, 07:53:55 AM »

I have heard that high velocity loads tend to wear out barrels -- to erode the throat of the barrel to be specific. Shooting a 85 grain bullet in a .243 versus a 100 grain bullet would, I imagine, result in higher velocities. Will this higher velocity in this case, by itself, cause barrel throat erosion? Or is it that throat erosion is associated with maximum loads, regardless of bullet weight?

HogSniper2 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2004, 02:42:08 AM »

I've killed deer with a 243 using what Federal recommends: Premium 100 grain SIERRA GAMEKING BTSP (P243C).

hillbill · « **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2004, 02:22:40 PM »

ive never heard of .243 being hard on barrels no matter what the load! how bout rest of yu guys?

flintlock · « **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2004, 02:45:11 PM »

I just hope I get to live long enough to shoot out the barrel in mine...
I have also killed several deer with the Federal Premium load in
both the Nosler Partition and the Sierra BTHP...both in 100 gr...
and killed at least 75 deer with the Core Lokts...I consider these 3 and
the Hornady loading about right...so far as bullet construction...
the Winchester loadings (power points) and the Federal Classic loads are a little soft...don't exit on broadside lung shots...I've sighted in the 85gr Federal 2 1/2 high at 100yds...at 300...they are only about 2 1/2 low...looks like this would make a good "bean field" rifle...

dingo1 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2004, 08:30:03 AM »

It sounds to me guys that flintlock has been sand bagging on his question a little bit. I think he might know the answer to his on question.Maybe he will soon shed a little light on the subject.

rickt300 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 05, 2004, 07:01:28 AM »

I have used the 85 grain Sierra BTHP a bit and found it very good on Mule deer, antelope and Texas whitetails. It usually exits as long as the shoulder bone is not hit. I aLso used Hornady's 87 grain flat base spire point and like it also. Both these bullets are recommended by their respective manufacturers as light big game bullets. My initial use of these bullets was because of the 1 in 12 inch twist my .244 had but they performed so well that when I got a 6MM Remington built I kept on using them. That said I also like the Hornady 100 grain BTSP, the Remington 100 grain CL and the Nosler partition better for ranges less than 100 yards. Less meat damage.

James B · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2004, 03:24:16 AM »

Sierra might be different but Speer does not recommend thier HP bullet for anything but varmits. If I were to use a 243 for any big game I woul use the Nosler Partition only. Perhaps the Barnes X bullets.