243 Deer Bullet

The two bullets to consider is the Nosler Partition (either 95 or 100 grains) and the Barnes. The Barnes in their 85 grain version is close to the length of the 95 Nosler and the 100 grain Barnes might be too long to stabilize properly.

These two bullets were recovered from a moose and a deer. The soft frontal lead of the Nosler opens up reliably and the rear has the mass to carry through.



The 270 Barnes on the left from a deer and the 338 on the right from a moose. Both show the large frontal diameter and lots of carry on the back.

Using bullets designed for varmints like the 85 grain Sierra HPBT may work for some but when recommending them as in some previous posts might not be the best choice. Sierra does not recommend their Match Kings for hunting but that does not mean someone has continued to try.

The Barnes bullets used in 260 Remington and 280 Remington have yet to fail but none have been recovered in the modern versions. The Barnes in the picture was recovered and a 130 grain 270 weighted 129.5 once the "DNA" was removed.
 
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I have shot a large number of deer over the last 50 years, and have used the 6mm Remington a lot.

90% of the deer I have taken with the 6mm have been with Partitions, and I see no need to change now.
Even the 85 Partition will reach the vitals on a deer from any sane angle, and they just get the job done.

Personally, I prefer the 95 or 100 Partition, whichever shoots best in the rifle I am using.

I would guess that the 90 Scirocco II would work well....they are a great bonded bullet in any larger
chambering I have used them in. D.
 
I just picked up dies for my 243 yesterday. Haven't picked up bullets, but I'm thinking about parts or tsx. Both will perform well on game, it'll probably come down to which is cheaper when I go to buy bullets... Im going to start with some cheap Speer bullets though, get a few reloads made before I dig into the pricey bullets.

While Sierra does say the 85gr hpbt is suitable for antelope and deer, its not my cup of tea. Sectional density is low, and velocity is too high for a conventional cup and core bullet. For these reasons I prefer heavier pills where available (100gr if I'm using cup and core to increase SD and decrease velocity a bit) or a premium bullet (the weight retention on a tsx means you can use a lighter bullet and still get good penetration.)

SD for 243 85gr: 0.206
243 100gr: 0.242
308cal 150gr: 0.226
308cal 180gr: 0.271
 
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thatmikeguy said:
Has anyone tried the Hornady interlock 100 grain?
From what I see here, it seems any 100 grain will do.
I'll have to visit Canadian tire to see what they have.
I don't want to try and make deer loads yet when the season is around the corner.
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Pretty much. I have shot dozens of deer with both .243 and 6mm mostly using handloads with 100 gr. Hornary spire point interlocks and found them to be extremely effecient as well as very accurate ( .5 MOA). If you are shooting factory ammo just go with any 100 gr. bullet and you will be fine.
 
horseman2 said:
The two bullets to consider is the Nosler Partition (either 95 or 100 grains) and the Barnes. The Barnes in their 85 grain version is close to the length of the 95 Nosler and the 100 grain Barnes might be too long to stabilize properly.

These two bullets were recovered from a moose and a deer. The soft frontal lead of the Nosler opens up reliably and the rear has the mass to carry through.



The 270 Barnes on the left from a deer and the 338 on the right from a moose. Both show the large frontal diameter and lots of carry on the back.

Using bullets designed for varmints like the 85 grain Sierra HPBT may work for some but when recommending them as in some previous posts might not be the best choice. Sierra does not recommend their Match Kings for hunting but that does not mean someone has continued to try.

The Barnes bullets used in 260 Remington and 280 Remington have yet to fail but none have been recovered in the modern versions. The Barnes in the picture was recovered and a 130 grain 270 weighted 129.5 once the "DNA" was removed.
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Those mushrooms look great.
You guys have me convinced. I will definitely buy some bigger bullets.
 
The local Canuck Tire has a few options. I'm thinking of the Federal Premium loaded with the 100 grain Partion for $51 or the Winchester Super-X !00 grain for $28.
I like the lower price but i also like good accuracy and i've never fired either of these.
I'm leaning towards the partition load but the price makes me cringe.
 
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My 243s remain as one of my most favorite rifles to hunt deer with. Low recoil, stunning accuracy and great performance. On deer within 250 yards you will be served well with even those super x's. Yes, premium bullets will perform very well and with raking shots offer better penetration. However, my 2017 - 125 yard black bear fell to the "lowly" 100gr hornady SP this spring and went a meager 30 yards before dropping from a heart shot. So do not under estimate the rounds capability. However respect it for it offers less flexibility to the larger cartridges. Know your game, its physiology, and take the best shot and pass on those iffys.

NPs are undoubtedly the premier choice. However, with some testing on TSX bullets I have recently come to love their flexibility on close quartering shots. In 80-85 gr versions it will perform very well in 1-10 or 1-9 twist barrels. The heavier nosler 90gr e tip bullet may need a faster twist 1-9 so do some detective work first.

It comes to mind that you will serve yourself best if you wish to invest in some reloading equipment and the joys that it brings to the table down the road. Good luck.
Elky....
 
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thatmikeguy said:
The local Canuck Tire has a few options. I'm thinking of the Federal Premium loaded with the 100 grain Partion for $51 or the Winchester Super-X !00 grain for $28.
I like the lower price but i also like good accuracy and i've never fired either of these.
I'm leaning towards the partition load but the price makes me cringe.
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If your rifle is already sighted in, buy the partitions, fire a few rounds to confirm/rezero, and save the rest of the box for deer. If you use 6rds to zero, that's still 14 more to kill deer with - potentially 14 dead deer. The price isn't so bad when you look at it that way.
 
I've shot more deer with the .243 than I can remember over the last 30 years. The Sierra 85 grain bthp will work but don't expect much of a blood trail as they blow up inside and leave no exit and a small entry wound. I've seen them turn a heart to pulp. I shot most with run of the mill bulk bag Remington, Winchester 100 gr pointed soft points. They will kill and go through. The deer usually don't go far. No need for anything fancy bullet wise. Keep it cheap and simple. I've dropped them from 25 to 225 yards.
 
Thanks again for your input. I really appreciate it.
I do already reload. That's why i find it hard to buy factory ammo.
I just don't feel i have time or energy to build a load this close to the hunting season so i'll suck it up and buy a box and i'll have extra for other hunts in the future.
 
thatmikeguy said:
Canuck Tire had more options than their web site led me to believe.
I picked up a box of 95 grain Federal Fusions. Now i'm looking forward to trying them....on a deer;)
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Don't forget to confirm they shoot to Point of aim. Otherwise, have at'er, and we look forward to the gruesome pictures of a dead deer.
 
thatmikeguy said:
I've had a Tikka 243 for about a year now and I'm going deer hunting. I've never shot a deer with a 243. I actually didn't think I'd even go out this year but plans have changed.
I worked up a load for the Sierra 85 grain bthp and I'm thinking of using it for deer but I wanted to ask first, those who have experience shooting deer with 243.
I've read mixed results online. Many hunters swear by them and some steer clear and use more robust bullets.
My shots could be as long as 250 yards. I'd buy new bullets if I feel the need but at this point I'm not sure. I don't want to spend extra money right now so I'd like to use what I have, if possible.
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My son and I both shoot 240 Weatherby Magnums. For deer and antelope we use 85 gr. Nosler Partition and 90 gr. Nosler Accubond.
 
Suther said:
What sort of velocities do you get w/85gr pills in that sucker?
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Both our firearms love 51 gr. of IMR-4831, from the Nosler reloading manual. Velocity from the 85 gr. is about 3,375, and the 90 gr. is at 3,525 fps. The reason for the discrepancy in velocity is that my rifle has a 27" barrel. Both are tack drivers, however, the 240 Web. Mag. is a pressure sensitive cartridge when nearing max loads.
 
RatFink said:
85gr TSX are absolute sledgehammers. No need to look elsewhere if you can find yourself a supply!
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What he said. Deadly and they dont grenade, passthru with a nice 1 inch wound channel, no mess, and mostly bang-flop.
I use 43.3 gr of H4350 sitting .060 off lands for 3300 fps in my T3 SS lite.
 
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