.243 bullet for distance and hunting

So I built a .243 AR-10 with a 1/8 barrel specifically to be able to run heavier bullets out to 1000 yards. I want to work up loads to use it for me and my wife to both be able to use it in our local "1000 yard milk jug challenge" competition.

I also intend to use it for mule deer and coyotes probably out to about 300 yards. My question is; is there a bullet that is good for both? I want to run a 100-105 gr bullet that is pretty much MOA accurate out to 1000 yards, but is also good all-around hunting bullet. I like Barnes, for the hometown loyalty as much as any other reason, and I will just use a TTSX if it turns out to be accurate enough. But it seems that the serious distance guys swear by the Berger ELDXs. I din't know how well they perform as a hunting bullet. Basically I'm too lazy to figure out two loads, I want to just make one that works for both.

Am I thinking in the right direction here? Is there another option I am missing?

 

Hornady

 

You might try Berger 105 VLD hunter, popular for target and obviously game.

 

I don't have much experience with 243. But this gal made a 105 Berger work on elk at long range.

Kasandra Cow elk 688yds.mp4 - YouTube

 

I think that answers my question pretty clearly, thanks.

 

103-108ELDs, 105Vlds, make good crossover bullets. Im stuck with 100gr standards, but even 95gr VLDs can be pretty impressive on game.

One does need to understand the limits of the bullet you're shooting though, these aren't the things to try shoot end to end through something..... Unless of course it's fairly small.

 

If you don't try for the up close shoulder breaking/TX heart shots, the 108 eld would be my pick, if you're gonna be punishing that bullet I'd run one for game and one for target.

 

Yeah, I have been scratching my head a bit. I MIGHT hunt elk one day, I do have a 30-06 and a .270 as well. I just want to try to move my focus to one rifle and one load for everything. Coyotes yes, mule deer maybe, I'm not sure what else I will ever have time for.

 

I've had very good luck shooting mule deer with Nosler Partition weighing 95 grains. - TR

 

I used to have one load (in each chambering) for everything. The ammo and components strain has changed that though. I now use one load that works well enough but I can find the stuff for it in each chambering.

 

Boat tail hollow points have been proven to be very accurate for long range shooting and quite effective for hunting as well. I use only 75gr BTHP's from Hornady and shooting at 500 yards with my AR is quite boring. I've also used the same round a couple of years ago culling deer. The round was quite effective at about 200 yards.