.243 85gr For Deer

[Crudders32]

I know that there are always topics about using a .243 for deer hunting and usually about half the people say that it is the minimum and to suggest something more powerful.  The other half of the people usually say that that have used the .243 with great success.  I have a 7mm-08 and a 30-06 and have taken deer with both of them.  I got a .243 a few years ago and have only shot it a few times, but it shot really good and I really enjoyed shooting it.  I was thinking about trying it out for deer this year and was wondering if my current load would work for deer.  I am using IMR 4064 behind a 85gr Sierra Gameking HPBT which gave me groups under an inch at 100yds.  Many posts I've seen people have been using 100gr bullets for deer.  I am wondering if my load will perform well or if I should work up a new load if I want to use my .243 for deer this season.  Thanks.

[rc51kid]

First let me start by saying I have only been deer hunting one time.  But between the guys hunting, 5 or 6 deer were taken and all but one with a 243.  I know some were shot with hand loads with some kind of 85 grain  bullet.  The deer all dropped after a very short run, the only one we tracked was gut shot with a 30-06.   The 85 grain bullet that was used  dropped the deer, but did seam to almost explode when it hit them.  With heart shots this was great, but I could see it being bad if you hit heavy bone.

[Datil]

I have use 243, with 85 sierra HPBT in front ample dose of IMR 4320.
 Great success. One shot One dead deer . no tracking.
 1/4 inch groups with that load. Marv.

[Lone Star]

I've used the Sierra 85 HPBT bullet on two animals with my 6mms.  I had poor luck with it.  True, both were harvested, but the bullet failed to provide adequate penetration and broke up badly.  Both were about 100 yard shots into the lungs.  I have not used the bullet again, even though it was highly accurate; even 2 moa accuracy would have been ample for those animals.  Accuracy is secondary to bullet performance for small caliber deer rifles.

Far better choices are the Nosler 95/100 Partitions.  These provide plenty of penetration and are accurate in my rifles.  If you must use ligher bullets, use the Nosler 85 Partition; handgun hunters use it with good success.  Just remember that 6mm bullets are small and make relatively small wound channels.  Shot placement is critical with the smaller calibers.

[BuzzKill]

The 85 gr. Sierra BTHP is what I use in my Bull .243.  It should only be used through the vitals, not through shoulders and bones.  Also in 85 gr, look at the nosler partition and barnes tsx.  Many good 100 gr. bullets/loads out there also.  
The 85 gr. is fast and accurate, yes it is a rapid expander.  No where near as explosive as a ballistic tip.  It expands somewhere between a soft point and a ballistic tip, which is exactly what I want in the vitals.  Good Luck.  BuzzKill.

[poncaguy]

I've gotten some Fusion 95 grain 243's that I hope will shoot in my SS 243 well. Nothing has so far, but I really like this Handi so I hope they work out. If not, will use my Handi 7mm-08 , 308 or 45-70 which all shoot very well.

[Ditchdigger]

I shot a doe with the match 85gr HPBT Sierra at 292 yds.behind the shoulder,and it left 3  1/2 slits for a exit wound. I totalaly wrecked her lungs,but she still ran 100 yds. Digger

[MT4XFore]

I shot my first deer nearly 43 yrs ago with a 243, since then, my kids and I have shot several with the same rifle.  That being said, I feel there are a lot more calibers better suited for deer, however with the right bullet and in the hands of a cool marksman, the 243 IS adequate.  I would never use however with anything less than a 90 grain bullet, and preferably 100 grain.  The 100 grain Speer Grand Slam does a wonderful job in the 243!  It achieves good knock down shock, great penetration and usually a nice large exit wound.  I highly reccomend that bullet in the 243.  Best wishe, and God Bless.

[flintlock]

Crudders...Click on my profile if you will...and check out my posts on .243
and deer...in a nutshell..its my only centerfire...have used since 1980...
have killed at least 130 deer with...bullet of choice last 3 years has been
Federal Premium 85gr HPBT Sierra GameKing...between me and a couple of hunting buddies we have now killed 30 whitetails with...If this is the bullet that your rifle likes...it will do the job...Good Luck

[Zeak]

I used a 243 with 87gr. sp from Hornaday with good sucsess years ago. I limited my shots to about 250yds. I wouldn't use the hp bullet, because they don"t penatrate as well as the spire points. I now use a 270win which I like alot better and can extend my shots out to +400yds. Were I hunt here in Nebr our shots can range from 50yds to 500yds and the 270 fits the bill pretty well. Zeak

[Lone Star]

...in a nutshell..its my only centerfire...have used since 1980...

In other words, you don't know any better?    No depth of experience?     Thanks for your opinon.    :roll:









I'm just yanking your chain, that's a lot more experience than most have with the .243.  

[BuzzKill]

FWIW Crudders,

The higher percentage of light for .243 caliber loads (Less than 90-100 gr.) in the NEF's may be contributed to historical problems with stabilizing heavier bullets in this gun (NEF .243).  A few years ago, many people were having trouble stabilizing heavier bullets and it seemed to peak in the Ultra Varmit bull barrels at the time.  The rate of twist was in question.  Not to speak for all here, but mine does exactly that (24" bull barrel).  At first I had 80 grainers keyholing, then it settled down and I found the 85 gr. Sierras to fly true.  100 grainers had lousy grouping or keyholes.  Soo, again, this group 'may' shoot lighter bullets on average, simply because they shoot better, not because we want to test our luck.  Maybe this was an issue of the past.  Hopefully you can shoot 85 or 100 well.  I personly rank accuracy before bullet construction.  BuzzKill

[Lone Star]

....If you must use ligher bullets, use the Nosler 85 Partition; handgun hunters use it with good success....Also in 85 gr, look at the nosler partition and barnes tsx...I used a 243 with 87gr. sp from Hornaday with good sucsess years ago. I limited my shots to about 250yds. I wouldn't use the hp bullet, because they don"t penatrate as well as the spire points....

Doesn't sound like everyone is condemning the lighter bullets....of proper construction that is.  

[flintlock]

...in a nutshell..its my only centerfire...have used since 1980...

In other words, you don't know any better?    No depth of experience?     Thanks for your opinon.    :roll:

OHHHH.....I have used other weapons to kill deer  with.....22LR...22-250...30-30....270...280...7mm-08..12 gauge with both buckshot and slugs....40 caliber flintlock a .54 caliber flintlock that I built...45lb recurve bow..in the .70s...2 different compound bows....a .357 Ruger revolver...Knight Disc muzzleloader....and I have seen/skinned deer killed with .270WSM...7mm Mag....300 Win Mag...260...30-06

As I have stated elsewhere....We own 3 family farms in NC....I have brothers/nephews/buddies that I hunt with...we kill 45-50 deer a year...
Some days we skin 7-10 deer...I get to see the damage done....a bigger hole ain't always the answer...make the hole where it counts...put it through the off side shoulder blade or through the lungs and that deer will either drop...or go less than 75 yards...I've tracked deer hit in the guts with my brother's .300 Win Mag...He can't be convinced that he is flinching....you may or may not find that deer...if you don't find a deer hit with a .243...you didn't do your job...its not the calibers fault.....

I just learned earlier than most that a .243 was really all that was needed....My brother's/nephews/etc have let me use their guns in the past...and I'm the "gunsmith" in the bunch...so I've shot them all and sighted most of them in...I kill more deer than any of them..and a few buddies have gotten rid of their larger rifles as they too have seen how effective a .243 can be....If you know how to make good shots and know how to hunt...a .243 is all thats needed....I grew up squirrel hunting...head shots only...I can't understand guys making a poor shot on a deer...If  you don't have a good shot don't take it...

As far as my "opinion"....After I had killed 5-6 deer with this gun it was my "opinion" a .243 would get the job done....after a 130 or so deer with the same gun.....Its a fact!!!

I'm just yanking your chain, that's a lot more experience than most have with the .243.  

np...I got a good chuckle when I read it....
 

Can anybody else tell its time to hunt?

[tommy_tsunami]

:grin: By God it better be gettin' close to hunting season!

I too will be using my .243 Ultra Varmint for deer this year.  I've only used 100 grain bullets for anything I've hunted, which includes whitetails, mule deer and elk.  Yes, I, like many others have shot and cleanly killed elk with a .243.

I'll admit, I've never gotten a monster bull, but I have taken bulls with it. However, I've never been fortunate enough to see a really massive bull in the wild.

I don't have any experience even shooting 85 grain-ers, so sorry, can't offer any advice other than that your .243 will take deer no problema.

[DirtyDan]

I shoot a 243, but I don't use a hollow point and I don't use 85gr bullets. I have never lost a deer in the 18 yrs I've been using this rifle. I do pick my shots. Stick with 100gr pointed soft points/spitzers.
DD

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard, DirtyDan!!

I think the concern over the heavier .243 bullets comes from the fact that older H&R .243s had a 1:12" or slower twist rate, I believe all of the post NEF barrels are 1:10" and shoot the 100gr loads just fine. My Ultra doesn't shoot any of the 80gr-85gr bullets well, but does shoot the 95gr-100gr very well with the exception of the Federal 100gr Nosler PT moly. I've also tried 4 different light bullets in the 55gr-65gr bullets in factory and handloads without success. My next lighter bullet for coyotes is going to be the Barnes 85gr XBT, got em on sale for $14 on closeout. :?

[Mac11700]

While the 243 Ultra I sold to mitchell didn't shoot as good with the 55grainers as it did with the 95 grainers......it didn't shoot Bad either...

55 grainers..



95grainers...



This certainly nothing to sneeze at...and since it was the first groups fired from it...says a-lot for potential with both loads...http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=62494&highlight=3006


Mac

[dano]

I use the 85 gr bthp infront of varget in my sons 243 & in my 6mm. My son shot 2 deer with these bullets last year. !st doe 80 yard head shot did the crappie flop.2nd one 200 yard 8 point to the boiler room took the heart out went 10 yards. I shot a 11 point with my 6mm 120 yards in the neck dropped in its tracks. We will continue to use these bullets as they preform well for us. We use the same load on paper,coyotes,deer,praire rats.

[Haywire Haywood]

My dad used a 243 on deer exclusively.  Mind you these are Ga deer, some call them big dogs.  He used the 85gr Federal Premium ammo IIRC, had to drive an hour to Macon to find them.  I don't know what brand bullet was loaded in them.  They did not perform as most would like. No passthrus as I recall.  He told me that they blew up inside and made pudding out of the heart/lung area and the pieces just left red specs on the far side of the cavity.  
I didn't have the heart to sit there eating BBQ venison and tell him that his bullets weren't performing to standard.  :-)

The moral of the story is:  Take neck shots or keep in the vitals, avoid heavy bone and BBQ your venison.

Ian