243 with cast bullets for deer

[brewer12345]

As I said in the post you quoted, I do not see the bullet as the main handicap here. Many folks believe that a .243 is marginal for deer size game with any bullet type. Those of us that hunt with archery equipment for deer or use handguns as our primary weapons during the regular gun season face the same hurdles, and the same condescension. Folks need to know the limitations of their equipment and their personal skills, and strive to make quick, clean and humane kills with whatever they use. Using a 180 JSP in a .30-06 will make for a similar irretrievable deer if poor shot placement is made and the deer runs off the property/jumps in the river and floats downstream......regardless of those above average tracking skills.

Big, heavy bullets and arrows kill differently than small caliber stuff. 243 works just fine/reliably with a high speed jacketed bullet. A small caliber bullet moving at modest speeds (what OP is proposing) very much risks penciling through the deer and risking that they run miles before expiring.

 

[archeryrob]

I finished my ladder testing for 30.06 with cast rounds and 4198. Groups stayed consistent to just over 2400 fps. Heading up to 2500 and to 2600 groups opened up with a few shots drifting off, but on target. Used all WW water quench, power coated and quench and gas checked bullets. I would expect similar results for the .243 to be found unless harder lead might be tried.