[Rob62]

While I've been an active reloader for over 20 years its just recently that I've begun reloading for the .243 Win.

I'd like to know where the "transition" is from Varmit to big game bullets. If I'm correct it's around 75 grains.

I guess what I really need to know is what is the lightest bullet that could or should be used on deer sized game.

TIA,

Rob

[Johnny Guest]

- - -- for deer. The 100 and 105 gr. bullets are strongly constructed fo use on deer and antelope. Many years ago, the 87 gr. .25 bullets were fairly popular for small deer slaying in the .250-3000 Savage and .257 Roberts. These were not the lightly jacketed varmint bullets mostly sold today for the .24s and .25s. Please don't mistake the 70 to 90 gr. 6 mm bullets as being suitable for deer. The 100 to 105 gr. bullets, loaded to velocities of 2500 to 2900 fps are very efficient and light recoiling.

Best,
Johnny

[P95Carry]

Johnny has that wrapped. Yeah ... heavier .... I have worked up a load with 105 grn Speer spitzer HP .. pushed by 33.9 grns Vit N-140 .... can't find a chrono figure but .... a devastating round!

Don't think light ..... go heavy!!!

[Art Eatman]

I've loaded a bunch for the .243, and done a lot of deer and coyote hunting with mine. I'd call the 85-grain Sierra HPBT the minimum bullet for deer. Although I've killed some 20 deer with it, I was always able to pick my shot, mostly neck shots and a few broadside heart shots. And, these were smaller deer, rarely dressing out much over 110 pounds or so, and I doubt any of the shots were much over 125 yards.

One thing, the rifle is a tack-driver, with an extremely good trigger.

I'd really prefer a 100-grain bullet for "real" deer. :)

I've always used 3031 for my 70-, 85- and 100-grain loads.

:), Art

[Rob62]

Thanks for the comments. I was mainly concerned about the obvious effects of using a "varmint" bullet on deer.

From the above I take it that the 100/105 grain bullets are the minimum commonly accepted bullet weights that are suitable for deer in the .243.

Regards,

Rob

[Frohickey]

100gr Sierra GameKings

Heavier than that and you might need more twist to properly stabilize.

[Bob C]

The Sierra 100 grain spitzers, either flat base or boat tail, are the most accurate in my Ruger #1. Either will hold under 1" for three shots at 100 yards with RE-22.

The 70 grain BTHp's, or the 85 grain spitzers also do fairly well for me, staying around 1" to 1 1/4" for three rounds at 100 yards. IMR 4350 does best in my rifle with these bullets.

[labgrade]

A bit off from the "common knowledge," but with a caveat.

I've used exclusively the Hornady's 87 gr Spire Point on every deer I've ever shot. It was also my "dandy varmit loading" - the all 'round .243-thing. Thousands of varmits past 300 yds.

6+ deer (in the 125, or less-sized) never took a step out of their tracks = devastating & instantaneous results. All "hand-picked" & broadside (heart/lung) shots, steady rests, etc. A very dandy load when used judiciously.

A John Willkes Booth-shot with a Sierra 85 gr HP on an antelope at about 1/4 mile really doesn't really give credence either way - a solid would have done as well.

FWIW, any decent enough expanding bullet in the 85-90 gr weight, IF YOU HOLD STEADY & PICK YOUR SHOT, will do most deer to 350 yards or so. But, you must pick the shot & refrain from quarterings, etc. Take only certain broadsides & really, the .243 has plenty stuff to smoke average deer/antelope to 1/4 mile w/80/90 gr bullets properly placed.

Heavier whitetails/mulies, & I'd go with the heavier bullets.

But still, a properly placed broadside bullet that "only" detonates" 1/2-way through will do any deer.

Pick your shot, hold till it's perfect. Your choice, but an 85 (or so) gr .243 bullet will do any deer.

[243_shooter]

Gramp seemed to prefer the ~85gr bullets, on pretty much everything that strolls through the NY woods.. Myself and my father use 100gr bullets pretty much for whitetails.

Just loaded up 25 this AM with 100gr Sierra "gameking"s took the old model 88 out to the range and to my suprise it was easily doing 5 shot, 1 inch groups @ 100yds if I did my part. Using factory remington 100gr ammo it usually runs ~2 inches @ 100yds so I was pleasently suprised.

The real test of the 'gamekings' will be this fall ;)

Leo

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

My Rem 700BDL 6mm I always had loaded with a 100 gr sierra bullet behind 35 grains of 3031 and besides the deer on my northern California ranch they also did a great job on 4 dozen coyotes.

I had to make my brass from 06, .280, 7mm and any other brass that could be successfully sized down. Anyone with a 243 is lucky being able to size down GI 308 brass that will withstand a lot of reloading.

I agree with Johnny

John Paul

[Johnny Guest]

There is a difference in making a hit at 300+ yards, and making a clean kill of a game animal.

All else being equal, the lighter the bullet, the more rapidly it sheds velocity.

The "magic" and charm of the light recoiling, small bore rifles is the high velocity impact causing proper expansion of the bullet. I believe the reason so many deer-size animals are lost to small bore shooters (call it, under .30 caliber) taking long range shots is that the light bullets, moving much slower, may hit, but not very hard.

I feel that many deer and antelope are lost when hit at long range after the bullet has slowed below the point of "shock" and ready expansion. The diminished-velocity bullet pokes a hole without any great shock effect, does not expand, and frequently doesn't even exit the far side. The shooter thinks he missed because the animal frequently shows little or no immediate symptoms of being struck. It then may linger for hours or days before expiring.

Please, consider stalking skills or just being patient to reduce the range at which game is shot. If long range shots must be taken, please consider using a rifle of adequate bore size to accomodate bullets which retain velocity. I believe we owe our quarry the respect of doing all possible to ensure rapid, humane takedowns. And, sportsmanship demands that we make an effort to locate any animal at which we have shot. (A parting point about small, light, slow bullets - - - It is frequently difficult to locate a blood trail.)

Best regards,
Johnny