.243 Win deer loads?

[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]

brush shooting

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.]

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