Deer Hunting Loads for .243 Win...Need Advice

[JFrank]

Probably slower twist than 1-8
Use shorter Bullets

 

[slowr1der]

Obviously not the same gun as you're shooting, but my Savage 243 absolutely loves 95 Grain Hornady SST's over 40.3 grains of IMR4831. It shoots submoa all day long with this combo and I've killed piles of deer with it. Most of them a DRT. The few that have run, haven't run far and are easily recovered. The only warning I have is that these bullets do massive amounts of damage where they hit. So you do lose some meat. This combo just works so well, that I quit looking for anything else to try.

 

[Captcurt]

Not familiar with that bullet but I've had good luck with IMR-4350 and R-17 with 90-95 gr bullets.

 

[PapaG]

100 grain Sierra Game King.

 

[Highland Lofts]

I have a Remington 788 in 243 and got some decents groups.

 

[Bartojc]

I use 100gr Sierra Pro-Hunter over H414. At the time this was the only powder I could find and I tried to get something that would work. Worked so well I have not changed. Typically I would use something a little slower, but.... Maybe someday.

-Jeff

 

[Highland Lofts]

With the way things are right now you have to settle for what you can find.
With the new administration things will probably get worse come January.

 

[WVGearhead]

Thanks to all for the input and especially to @stillquietvoice for the OAL recommendation and @243winxb for the stability calculator. Picked up an OAL guage and bullet comparator set and some 85 grain Sierra HPBT bullets this week. I loaded the Sierras over 36 grains of IMR 4064 with much better results through both rifles. Thanks for the help! Photo on the right is from the Remington 700.

 

[Virginia Jim]

I have loaded a few recipes for my Ruger 243, but I end up going back to 100 grain Remington Corlokts for hunting. I know, that’s blasphemy to reloaders.

 

[mshootnit]

I'd try some reloader 17. And if it is compatible, 100 gr. SP bullets.

 

[stillquietvoice]

Thanks to all for the input and especially to @stillquietvoice for the OAL recommendation and @243winxb for the stability calculator. Picked up an OAL guage and bullet comparator set and some 85 grain Sierra HPBT bullets this week. I loaded the Sierras over 36 grains of IMR 4064 with much better results through both rifles. Thanks for the help! Photo on the right is from the Remington 700.
View attachment 955372 View attachment 955373

Happy to help, and that it's working better for you.

Here is one of mine at 200 yds. 100 gr gameking, 100 gr interlock was similar in group size.