best deer bullet for .243?

[j_06]

There's quite a bit around the worldly web on the topic of 6mm deer bullets, but I'm never sure if guys on US sites are talking about 90#deer or actual 200+# critters like we (hope to) run into up here. So let's hear some real Canadian experience with "deer" bullets in the .243 (and similar MV 6mm's). My apologies to those bursting with internet opinions, but I'm looking for first hand or direct witness feedback.

So... what deer have you shot with .243/6mm and how did it work out?

Only took two posts, Cgn record!

 

[Superbrad]

Only took two posts, Cgn record!

Interesting take........ lol

I suppose having used partitions in 6 different calibers, 7 different cartridges from .223 to .30-06 and on 6 different species disqualifies me from having an opinion because I did not specifically use one in .243 on a deer.......

Btw, OP...... further to your question "what have you shot with a .243 and how did it work out?"......... A .243 with partitions did a great job for me on a wolf as well as a few hogs........ the wolf was a complete bang flop and the hogs showed very nice wound channels......

 

[The Baron]

Yeah, I've never heard anything but good about Partitions. Seems like they are one of the benchmark standards for taking game.

Only took two posts, Cgn record!

LOL. And Superbrad is a friend so I'm just glad he didn't bust my balls saying I'd just miss anyway so it doesn't matter.

Lots of good info here - thanks to all who shared. I see many of the same bullets mentioned with positive results as I've seen in my googling. Most are tried and true performers, but there's one new kid on the block that seems to performing admirably so it's great see see the bullet makers are still breaking new ground for us.

 

[Superbrad]

Lol...... we haven't hunted together yet...... I assume once we get a waterfowl outing in with swinginberrys or do a coyote hunt the stories will be mutual

 

[patricksbb391]

so, my Pre-64 M70 will only shoot 100 gr. Win PSP well, followed by 95gr Nosler Partitions.

85 grs are minute of Pie Plate at 100 yards.

Good Luck!

 

[7.62Operator]

95 grain Partitions over 42.5 grains of W760 is the deer load I worked up for my .243's... between myself and the kids probably 20 deer shot with that load... couldn't tell much difference after the shot between that and 170 grain Silver-Tips from an M94 .32 Special.

x2 95 grain partitions have worked extremely well for me over the past 6 years dropping 4 deer a moose and a bear.

 

[j_06]

Interesting take........ lol

I suppose having used partitions in 6 different calibers, 7 different cartridges from .223 to .30-06 and on 6 different species disqualifies me from having an opinion because I did not specifically use one in .243 on a deer.......

Btw, OP...... further to your question "what have you shot with a .243 and how did it work out?"......... A .243 with partitions did a great job for me on a wolf as well as a few hogs........ the wolf was a complete bang flop and the hogs showed very nice wound channels......

Just razzin ya, all in good fun ;p .

 

[todbartell]

the only deer I've shot with a 243 was a mature 5x5 mule deer, with the 55gr Nosler BT @ 3850 fps. About a 50 yard shot right behind the shoulder, bullet exited the far side ribs. He made it about 30-40 yards and piled up

If I had one today I'd load up 90gr Accubonds, 80gr Barnes TTSX, 90gr Swift Scirocco, or 80gr Hornady GMX

 

[Fassteel]

the only deer I've shot with a 243 was a mature 5x5 mule deer, with the 55gr Nosler BT @ 3850 fps. About a 50 yard shot right behind the shoulder, bullet exited the far side ribs. He made it about 30-40 yards and piled up

If I had one today I'd load up 90gr Accubonds, 80gr Barnes TTSX, 90gr Swift Scirocco, or 80gr Hornady GMX

So your saying that you can take down a big mature Mule deer with a gopher shooting bullet, and the rest of us need the premium expensive models to do the job, I don't think so....

 

[Hitzy]

Partitions are still about the best all around bullet you can get, the design covers both spectrums with an explody front section, and penetrating rear section, and work at a wide range of velocities. And they are not all that crazy expensive.
I'll say this though, don't swap em in for an existing bullet where you worked up a load at or near max. Work up a load with these on their own. With the solid gilding metal center they can increase pressure in some cartridges considerably.

 

[hoytcanon]

Partitions are still about the best all around bullet you can get, the design covers both spectrums with an explody front section, and penetrating rear section, and work at a wide range of velocities.

I like to use them at velocities where the "explody" tip is more "mushroomy."

 

[kman300]

Between the wife and I, we have killed several whitetail and a few black bears with a 243 or 243 ai using the 85 tsx and more recently 80 ttsx. Having said that I have some 95 btips loaded this year I intend to put steaks on the table with. Gale Root, nosler ballistician, made the 95gr btip his personal project, he was also an elk nut and used said bullets on them. Not saying you should shoot elk with them but I'm in no way concerned about what the 95 btip will do on a whitetail. Running them at 3180fps with h4831.

 

[strategoi]

Me
4 with a 100gr Win PP
All smaller deer less than 100 pounds but worked well.

My brother
2 with Federal blue box 100 gr.
Two larger bucks around 140 lbs or so. Both died as well.

 

[todbartell]

So your saying that you can take down a big mature Mule deer with a gopher shooting bullet, and the rest of us need the premium expensive models to do the job, I don't think so....

no, just saying what I have done, and what I would do now. I didn't pick that bullet for deer hunting, just had the rifle with me when the opportunity arose. I waited for the buck to turn broadside, avoided the shoulder, and it worked out great. I was surprised it exited! It was my coyote rifle, never did play with any 'big game' bullets, but if I was to do so, I'd look at the bullets I mentioned above, as they will perform well over a wider variety of field conditions. Lots of deer have fell to cup & core 100gr soft points, but I would prefer something with controlled expansion. Just how I roll

 

[saskcop]

100 grain Nosler Partitions or 100 grain Speer Grand Slams have worked very well for me with either factory or handloads. Complete pass-throughs have been the norm with large wound channels. If handloading, I drive them as fast as safe while still maintaining good accuracy.

 

[dukecrab]

shot a 300 Lbs big black bear with a .243 caliber , 80 Grs Barns TTSX, one shot and laid down, not able to move a feet

 

[Highwind]

95 ballistic tip or 100 cup and core.

 

[Suther]

I will probably end up with partitions for the 243 I just bought. That or some sort of bonded bullet... Dont have to think about that until next summer though, deer season is practically finished here and I haven't even sighted in the 243 so it'll be 270 all the way if I get out before the season ends... Coincidentally, I already have some partitions for the 270, but I haven't started loading them yet...

 

[woodlotowner]

Being a Barnes TSX aficionado, I tout the 85 gr TSX in .243 Win. The one bullet I recovered, from just under the hide on the far side, exhibited textbook performance. Four perfect 'petals' with 100% weight retention. I only hunt with lead-free bullets now...

 

[prairie lover]

no, just saying what I have done, and what I would do now. I didn't pick that bullet for deer hunting, just had the rifle with me when the opportunity arose. I waited for the buck to turn broadside, avoided the shoulder, and it worked out great. I was surprised it exited! It was my coyote rifle, never did play with any 'big game' bullets, but if I was to do so, I'd look at the bullets I mentioned above, as they will perform well over a wider variety of field conditions. Lots of deer have fell to cup & core 100gr soft points, but I would prefer something with controlled expansion. Just how I roll

a long time ago I was tagged out for deer but went along party hunting and took my 204 instead of my deer gun cause I was gonna try some coyote calling. I ran into a buck at under 150 yards, a nice mb 4x4, and put a 39 gr blitzking right behind the front leg. the buck stumbled 40 yards and fell over. I had backup incase it didn't work out but it worked very well. the lungs had plenty of damage, no exit. now a days I carry my 243 for duel purpose hunts like that. with 90 gr bullets. there really isn't much to a deers ribcage. the shoulder would be trouble though with soft bullets.