I am getting real good accuracy out of these Federal 80gr cartridges, I have been using them with good results on coyotes and ground hogs in the off season and I was wondering would these be good to use for deer within about 200-250 yrds, I know they do some real damage to groundhogs out that far, but, with the accuracy I am getting I would like to use them on deer. Is this a good idea? Has anyone else used 80 bullets on deer and what were the results? I have 4 boxes of these and would prefer to use them.
243 and Federal 80gr bullets
- Thread starter Ranger
- Start date
They may work with small deer. That said, I wouldn't use them; I would either go for a >100gr pill or an 85gr TSX. I think the 80's would be marginal, at best.
What equates to a lot of damage to a groundhog does not necessarily hold true for deer.
What equates to a lot of damage to a groundhog does not necessarily hold true for deer.
I do beleve that everything under 85 gr is generally constructed as a varmint bullet and it not suited to use on biggame, there are some bullets that are cross purposes but there are usually 85 gr the 85 sierra bthp gameking comes speer has one too.
I only used a 243 for one season so I don't have very much experience one thing I regret not trying when I owned it was the 85 gr barnes tsx, that bullet may have changed my mind about the 243.
Federal loads both the Sierras and the Barnes in thier priemium line. if you want to stick to standard bullets then you will need somting in a 100 gr load.
I only used a 243 for one season so I don't have very much experience one thing I regret not trying when I owned it was the 85 gr barnes tsx, that bullet may have changed my mind about the 243.
Federal loads both the Sierras and the Barnes in thier priemium line. if you want to stick to standard bullets then you will need somting in a 100 gr load.
Too light and, as mentioned, likely a varmint bullet. Varmint bullets are designed to open quickly on small game without much penetration. Hence, they're not suitable for deer sized game.
Federal sells several 100 grain loads that'll do nicely for deer. Won't be cheap though.
Federal sells several 100 grain loads that'll do nicely for deer. Won't be cheap though.
That may be the bullet used to take that trophy elk at 450 yds. with the .243, mentioned on this site. I consider these cals. as varmint guns and not suitable for big game, I know I will get flack but, I say you owe it to the animal to use enough gun to harvest game cleanly without the animal sufferring unduly. A varmint gun using varmint bullets doesn't sound right to me when there are so many better guns/cals.
Thanks for info, I just thought that with the right shot they may work and having 4 boxes, I guess i will stick to my 95gr nosler partition handloads. Thanks again for the heads up.
http://www.huntingfootage.com/showphoto.php?photo=2734&cat=500&ppuser=523
http://www.huntingfootage.com/showphoto.php?photo=2734&cat=500&ppuser=523
Mighty Peace
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I bought a box of the Federal 80gr ammo to sight in my 243 in June. I was quite surprised with the groups. I personally will be reloading using 55 & 95 grain Ballistic Silvertips and 65 gr Hornady moly Vmaxes- used for coyotes and wolves for this winter season.
I will use this rifle for deer for my son (4.5months old now) when he is older, but I got a few years to wait for that to happen.
I will use this rifle for deer for my son (4.5months old now) when he is older, but I got a few years to wait for that to happen.
