So might have aquired a 7400 in 243. Looking for bullet suggestions, I'd like a exit wound. So far I'm thinkin 90 grain accubond, 95 grain ballistic tip (apparently built very hefty for 6mm) 100 grain partitions, 100 grain interlock and 100 grain grand slams. Input, experience and especially pictures are very appreciated!
243 bullet suggestions
- Thread starter trapoholic
- Start date
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I personally like the Nosler Partitions and Speer Grand Slams, especially if you like exit wounds. You won't usually get an exit on anything larger than deer, regardless of expanding bullet used. I also like Norma Oryx. Perhaps better than the other two.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Partition. Marginal bore for big game, so premium penetration projectile makes it more viable.
Do you get exits? At least enough blood to track?
I've heard deer have become bulletproof these days. Had guys tell me anything less than a 30-06 is a varmint gun... I've seen them killed with a 22lr though.
The deer we have shot with it have pretty much died within 30 yards of where we hit them, not much distance to even create a blood trail. I cant say they are the best , haven't used anything else but Ive used the Accubonds in my .270 and 300 wsm and am always impressed with their accuracy and stopping power.
Place you shot right with a 90-95 gr Accu bond or Partition and you won't need to track anything farther than 50 ft. That wee bullet is moving over 3000 fps second it enters wrecks havoc from terminal velocity and exits. Lots of meat damage in between the in and out holes. Impressive actually. I have shot several deer with the 375 H&H, bang flops with far less damage. Like the saying goes you can eat right up to the hole.
I notice your from southern Ontario, so your hunting deer somewhere in the south central part, which means bush. From personal experiences I can tell you that your using a 243 you want nothing between the end of your barrel and the deer except 100% clean air, no little twigs, gads, brush, blades of grass, clump of snow, absolutely nothing, or your 243 bullet will never see or come anywhere near the deer or whatever. I know this statement will cause no end of negative commentary, but heavier slower bullets just are far better at surviving the trip from the gun barrel to the deer/moose, bear when there are gads, twigs, and brush involved. I base that statement on 47yrs. of hunting and shooting critters in Ontario bush country, 90% of which was done with a 30-06 loaded with 165 gr. Nosler partitions.
I love my 243, carry it all winter in the ago for wolves, for those fellas I use 90-95gr Nosler BT's. But I won't make a shot from it without clean air between barrel and wolf as it's a waste of a bullet and time.
If exits are truly important than a Barnes, Hornady GMX, Nosler E-Tip and so on are most likely to produce it. Are you planning to load or shoot factory?
I found Sierra's 85 gr gameking gave some of the best accuracy with very quick kills placed tight behind the shoulder but rarely exited. 95 grain ballistic tips, I wouldn't be afraid to break shoulders if I had to.
I found Sierra's 85 gr gameking gave some of the best accuracy with very quick kills placed tight behind the shoulder but rarely exited. 95 grain ballistic tips, I wouldn't be afraid to break shoulders if I had to.
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Keep in mind I got 4 other little friends that all run faster than that deer once the first one is sent, like granddaddy told me the first time I got sent out many years ago with a gun. Put em down, keep em down son. Stop shooting when it's down, outta sight or you're outta shells. I do like the accubonds, my 280 shoots them into the smallest groups I've ever seen.
I absolutely agree! I load 180 grain Hornady round nose for my pump 30-06, before I reloaded I used Remington core lokt 180 grain round nose. They go through some stuff and a whole lotta critter! There's only 3 spots in all the acreage I hunt that's clear from bore to buck, one of those 3 spots is where I'd take the 243 out.
Honestly after tracking down a few deer for the guys I know that use Barnes, you couldn't pay me to put one through any of my guns into a animal. I'd assume the gmx and e-tip act the same. Now the Hornady mxz copper muzzleloader bullet? They make blood trails you can see from space! Never seen anything like that before I started using them in the front stuffer. To answer your question I'll be reloading for the 243
elimsprint
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kelowna, BC
I use Berger 87gr VLD Hunting for deer and Hornady 87gr V-Max for coyotes. The Bergers hit like Mjolnir and I have never had to look more than a few feet away to find my deer.
Won't use monos
I like the idea of them. Kinda want something that'll give a little penetration if is quartering though... Guess there's always a head or neck shot that's where I usually shoot em anyway.
I've done some pretty extensive testing in the subject myself with 150 though 220 grain in 30-06. You would not believe how much nearly visually impenetrable brush a 180 and 220 will go through at 50 yards and still hit the pop cans. A 308 with 180's was on par with the 30-06. A 270 with 150 grain round nose core lokts was surprisingly close to them as well.
My son's first hunting rifle was a .243, handloaded 95 gr Ballistic Tip. Used it to take whitetail, mule deer, black bear and mountain goat, never had an issue. I've used it myself to take a few deer, very effective. Don't recall exit wounds but a blood trail was never needed.
elimsprint
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kelowna, BC
Anywhere behind the shoulder at most angles and there are no lungs left. I shot one facing me just below the chin and there was very little neck left, DRT.
