243 and the 105 Amax

[BsChoy]

I have a bug to get a 243 and would like to shoot one type of bullet for target and deer hunting. Has anyone had practical experience using the 105gr Amax on whitetail at ranges out to 200 yards and if so how did it behave on target?

I understand it is a target bullet and weaker in construction than a hunting bullet would normally be but I have killed plenty or whitetails and know as long as the bullet goes where I need it to go the deer will fall. Thanks in advance.

 

[NCsmitty]

You'll need to get a fast enough twist barrel to stabilize that looong bullet. A 1in10" barrel will not do the job.
As you noted, it's not recommended to be used on large game, but it probably would do the job with the right placement.



NCsmitty

 

[BsChoy]

I would think 1 in 9.25 would be good right??

 

[NCsmitty]

I would think 1 in 9.25 would be good right??

It may be ok, but the bullet needs to be driven fast to stabilize, and you might not be able to, if you go for a short barrel.

Check out the comments on that bullet at Midway. Most mention a 1in9" twist as being necessary.

www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=1165491048



NCsmitty

 

[mregunz]

I have a 1in9 twist in a 6x284 and it stabilizes fine.It's a very long bullet though and it'll have to be seated very deep in the shell case to cycle thru your magizine.God hunting and shooting

 

[kelbro]

Quite a few folks using them with good results in 1:9.25 Savage 243s. I haven't tried them yet but I have bullets 'designed for hunting' that already shoot well enough. I wouldn't hesitate to take a deer with mine but it is mostly used for long range coyotes.

 

[243winxb]

I have a bug to get a 243 for target and deer hunting.

A 308 win may be a better choice.

 

[qajaq59]

I have a bug to get a 243 and would like to shoot one type of bullet for target and deer hunting.

If it were me, I would get the hunting bullet and then try to get it as accurate as I could for the targets. The deer can run off, but the targets don't go anywhere.

 

[tango2echo]

Not the best choice for deer. I haven't had much success keeping the 105gr Amax together on small whitetails. They shoot just fine out of a 1-9.25 twist though. You might try the 95gr SST or if you can find them the now discontinued 100gr Partition, which shoots very very tiny groups for me with Varget. I have one rifle that averages about .4" at 100y with them.

t2e

 

[nastynatesfish]

id go for the barnes bullets of the like

 

[BsChoy]

Although I have a good amount of experience with the 308 and have considered it, the bullets for the 243 (no matter what maker) are cheaper to shoot than the 30 caliber sort. That is another big motivator for me in this decision. Along with recoil reduction of course. I know the 308 has less kick than my 30-06 but as stated the bullets are more expensive in the long run

Oh and thank you for the feedback on the 105 Amax fellas. Barnes was defintitely a front runner in my possibilities for bullets.

 

[243winxb]

243 Win. Load - Sierra 85gr HPBT Game King #1530 with IMR 4350-42.0gr. CCI Br2 primer for target and Deer.

 

[BsChoy]

That sounds like a really nice little load up. Definitely worth a try