[BoilerUP]

I've done all my previous deer hunting with .270 Win and .30-06. Both have done a superb job on Kentucky whitetails, but I'm starting to like the .243 these days as I can use it for both deer hunting and blasting coyotes, in addition to (comparatively) inexpensive paper punching. The land I hunt on would limit shots to under 200 yards at the very most, with 50 being an average shot.

Anybody have a favorite whitetail factory load or handload they'd like to share?

[winchester243]

42gr H4831SC with a 95g Nosler balistic tip.

[TooTech]

Hornady 95 grain SST and 41.5 grains of IMR4350

[marksman13]

For factory loads, the 95 grain Winchester Ballistic Silvertip is hard to beat.

[viking499]

For factory load I use Hornady 100 grain ammo. They seem to become easily attached to deer.:)

[T.R.]

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/rushmoreman/sdremington1.jpg

Black Hills Ammo featuring 95 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. Bang thud.

TR

[Ridgerunner665]

Barnes 85 grain TSX bullet over 43 grains of Reloder 19.

[BoilerUP]

T.R., was that a neck/head shot?

[springmom]

I use 100 gr Remington Core-Lokt PSP. Works every time.

Springmom

[T.R.]

BoilerUp:

The bullet struck the shoulder to neck joint. I was aiming at least 8 inches away but it was very windy that morning. Distance was about 275 yards or so.

TR

[BoilerUP]

Thanks for the input, folks...for those who have previously used larger calibers for whitetail (like the .270 and .30-06 I have experience with) how does the .243 compare in terms of terminal performance?

I have a 30ish year old Rem 700BDL in .243 that I haven't shot off a rest before, but consistently "minute of sporting clay" out past 100 yards which serves my purposes for deer and coyote quite nicely, at a lower report/recoil/cost than the larger calibers...

[Ridgerunner665]

243 is just as good...and better in many cases.

[ashtxsniper]

I have loaded many batches of 243 with several different powders from IMR or Hodgdon that worked great(all loads broke 3000 fps) . The one thing that doesn't change is I always use a 100 grn Sierra gameking BTSP. This bullet has always performed well for me will a high level of accuracy. Drops deer with authority

[T.R.]

243 does its best work at longer distances after it has slowed down a little. I feel that there are better cartridges for the woodsman who typically shoots at 100 yards or less.

95 grain Nosler Partition will pass completely through both shoulders of a big mule deer leaving much tissue and bone damage in its wake. The Ballistic Tip rarely exits but produces a wider wound channel. These bullets produce nearly same effects as the 117 grain 25-06 bullets. It amazing to me that the .243 has benefitted greatly from this recent advent of modern premium bullets.

Sierra, Speer, and the new bonded bullets are certainly quite accurate and well designed for the deer hunter. Hornady SST deserves consideration as well.

TR

[BoilerUP]

I feel that there are better cartridges for the woodsman who typically shoots at 100 yards or less.

Such as what? I had been using a Rem 742 30-06 with 220gr round nose bullets because they did great work for 50-75 yard shots through underbrush...but I'll be in a new location this year where I'll have ridge-to-ridge shots (which in my-neck-of-the-woods-KY is 200 yards absolute max). I realize the 30-06 is a great hunting round very capable of this kind of hunting but for some reason I'm becoming predisposed toward the .243 as I realize shot placement is FAR more important than sheer "knockdown power".

I really appreciate the info and insight!!!

[Ridgerunner665]

IMO...a 44 mag lever action rifle.

[Art Eatman]

I won't count a culling program I did many years back, but I've tagged some 20+ bucks with my .243. I've only used the Sierra 85-grain HPBT. The majority of kills were neck shots. A couple of cross-body heart/lung shots. I'd guess the majority of shots were maybe 75 to 150 yards. All the shots were on nice, patient volunteers who let me be precise in my aiming. :)

I won't take an angling shot with that load.

In the heart/lungs, all that's left is a double-handful of mush.

Then there was the "prickly pear" buck. I'd spooked him earlier, and cut across his circle to ambush him. When he showed up at about 75 yards, I took an offhand shot, aiming for a heart/lung hit. There was a prickly pear leaf in the way, but it looked like it was close to him. I was very, very wrong. Five pear leaves. About five yards my side from him.

The bullet went through all five, with the remnant hitting just under his ear. No three holes in the leaves were in a straight line. :) Unlucky deer. He lay there and quivered until the coup de grace...

Gotta give Mr. Sierra credit for a well-designed bullet.

[351 WINCHESTER]

My youngest son has had excellent results with w/w 95gr. ballistic silvertip. He goes to NC each Thanksgiving to deer hunt with two of our neighbors. They all shot deer with his (my) .243 last season and the guy that takes them to the woods and looks after them had never seen such awesome destruction from any caliber. Now I know that any bullet from a .243 will kill deer and other game, but my son is really sold on the ballistic silvertip. I can't argue with success.

[BoilerUP]

Okay, now time for a slightly different question...

Anybody have any experience with the 260 Rem and how it compares to the 243? I also have access to a Rem 700 Mountain Rifle in that caliber, and I think the ammo is Factory Remington 120gr NBTs.

[marksman13]

The .260 Remington is a very good cartridge. I would say that realisticly speaking though, you won't see much real world difference between it and a .243. I wouldn't trade my .243 for my buddy's .260.

[uk roe hunter]

Hi Guys,
I have used .243 for a couple of years and my favourite bullet is hornadys psp interlock 100gr (2450).
i like speers 105gr spitzer as well but my rifle doesn't shoot it very straight. the interlock is over 41.5 gr of nobel #0 (vectan Tu 7000).

I started with 80 gr then 87 gr but the lighter bullets cause loads of meat damage. with the heavier soft point bullets the bullet will be travelling at 2900 fps. this will tend to give better terminal performance. The bullet expands nicely and kills better.

But not as well as the 7mm08 and .30-06 i also use

steve

[T.R.]

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/rushmoreman/wtbuckbrush.jpg

This the situation I was trying describe where 243 is less than ideal. Long range cartridge used in heavily wooded close distance shooting is not ideal.

TR

[Ridgerunner665]

T.R.,
I get your point...but with an accurate 243 I'm pretty darn sure I could put a round in that deers heart...there is a "hole" to shoot through.

Heck, we gotta let some get away.

[SimpleIsGood229]

I believe what T.R. is saying is that while, yes, you could put the bullet where it needs to be (in that pic.), the bullet may not offer sufficient penetration to quickly bring the deer down.

T.R.: If that's not what you mean, then please correct me. :)

[SimpleIsGood229]

Originally Posted by BoilerUP I feel that there are better cartridges for the woodsman who typically shoots at 100 yards or less.
Such as what? I had been using a Rem 742 30-06 with 220gr round nose bullets because they did great work for 50-75 yard shots through underbrush...but I'll be in a new location this year where I'll have ridge-to-ridge shots (which in my-neck-of-the-woods-KY is 200 yards absolute max). I realize the 30-06 is a great hunting round very capable of this kind of hunting but for some reason I'm becoming predisposed toward the .243 as I realize shot placement is FAR more important than sheer "knockdown power".
First of all, I think the 220 gr. roundnose is a brilliant choice, on your part.

Second, I think the .30-06 is just fine for 200 yard shots. Load up with a 165-180 grain bullet with a somewhat soft construction (i.e. no Fail Safes or possibly even Barnes) and you'll be golden. Test for accuracy, first, of course. :)

[Art Eatman]

Maybe 40 or more years back, the folks at The American Rifleman set up a test for this "brush busting bullet" thing. They tried all manner of cartridges and bullet shapes. Fired through a bunch of brush at a very large sheet of paper.

A couple of conclusions: All bullets deflect, regardless of diameter, weight or shape.

The amount of deflection is mostly controlled by the distance between the brush or limb and the target.

IOW, a "brush gun" is a light, handy weapon with which a person can be quick to get on target. It's not a rifle shooting a cartridge which magically "busts through brush".

[Coltdriver]

Hey Art what powder do you load under your 85g HPBT?

[uk roe hunter]

a few years ago i was zeroing with a buddy we were both shooting .243 win. i was using the horandy soft points and he was using some hornady Ballistic tips. when we walked down to look at the targets i had 3 nice holes in mine and his looked like it had 2 holes and a .410 pattern on it, we looked and there were a few blades of grass in between about 2 feet short of the target.

a few weeks ago i was hunting and i took a shot at about 120 yards at a roe doe. i missed it. i think the bullet hit a piece of bramble about 6 feet short of th deer. that was with a 145 gr 7mm bullet.

don't shoot through brush

steve

[T.R.]

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/rushmoreman/bigmuleyintimber.jpg

Simple is Good:

Yes, you nailed it. The 95 grain Ballistic Tip that shoots so accurate for me at 275 yards is not my choice for forest and foothill hunts. Many times, we set up late afternoon overlooking a small meadow. Typically, the buck is shot just before dusk. I need a blood trail or a good dog if the animal bounds away into the timber. Lacking either, the animal may not be located in the darkness.

Coyote packs are numerous. A deer left in the forest over night will be devoured before morning.

Perhaps my circumstances are unique compared to the eastern forests. But I learned from old timers who favored moderate velocity and heavy bullets for hunting the forests and foothills. Its a choice that works quite well indeed.

TR