Recommend a .243 bullet for deer

A

Andrewe

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Winnipeg, Manitoba
I've not used my .243 for deer yet and am looking for recommendations for a whitetail deer bullet. The shots will be within 200 yards. I'm not interested in the $40 a box premium bullets, just a good, dependable hunting bullet.
 
100 grain Sierra ProHunter or Hornady Interlock would probably do the trick on a budget.

Personally I'd shoot the 85 gr. Barnes Triple Shock X or a 100 gr. Nosler Partition...if I had a 243.
 
I dont' know how big your whitetail are, or at what angle you may encounter them, but if Nosler is making an Accubond in .243, I think you could have an affordable bullet that still works almost as good as a Partition.

If you only take broadside shots, then any bullet will do, and the Hornady isn't a bad choice, nor is the Speer.
 
Thanks for the suggestions.

todbartell: Is the Barnes Triple X worth the cash? I'd like to play around with a few rounds before I go hunting and it could get a bit pricey. However it would be nice to make a distinct kill as this will be my first hunt with experienced hunters.

ricciardelli: You've suggested the 85 gr. Sierra HPBT to me before (for coyote) and I am very pleased with it. I'm not sure if is heavy enough for deer though. So far I have only fired it at the range.

Perhaps someone could point me to a website that compares the different bullets and explains the differences.
 
I dont like to skimp on my bullets

practice with your 85 gr. Sierra load, and work up a load with the 85 gr. TSX's for hunting, hopefully they will hit at similar point of impacts downrange.

practice all year with the Sierras, then before hunting season fine tune with some X's

like I said before, if I was hunting deer with a 243, I'd want an X in the chamber





PS Gatehouse, Nosler doesn't make a 6mm Accubond yet
 
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:roll:
 
todbartell said:
I dont like to skimp on my bullets

practice with your 85 gr. Sierra load, and work up a load with the 85 gr. TSX's for hunting, hopefully they will hit at similar point of impacts downrange.

practice all year with the Sierras, then before hunting season fine tune with some X's

like I said before, if I was hunting deer with a 243, I'd want an X in the chamber





PS Gatehouse, Nosler doesn't make a 6mm Accubond yet
Click to expand...

Wel, I've been told! :D

The TsX is worth it and more.

Yes you will spend some $$$ working up a load, but who cares?

You will soend $50 or more at the range working up a load buit you wilol spend $200 in gas goingin hunting.
 
My vote is also for the Barnes TSX. Should give you no weight loss in a tougher bullet; which is particularly important with a caliber/bullet weight combination that is on the low end to start with.

I am always amazed at hunters worried about the cost of a premium bullet. What is the cost of a handful of $1.00 bullets compared to the cost of your gun, scope, gear, lodging, food and time; peanuts!
 
I have been using the 95 Grn.Nos.Part.for quite a few yrs.now.It works well to 300 yds.for Deer but I would not want to try anything farther out.I load it to 3000 fps.
Always side on shots and always blows right on through the biggest Mulie.
 
Ronforca said:
I have been using the 95 Grn.Nos.Part.for quite a few yrs.now.It works well to 300 yds.for Deer but I would not want to try anything farther out.I load it to 3000 fps.
Always side on shots and always blows right on through the biggest Mulie.
Click to expand...

Hey Ronforca, I have some 95 grain Partitions and was wondering what load data you have for them. Like COL and powder charge, I am gonna be using IMR 4350.
 
My experience is that one should use a quality bullet with the smaller diameter offerings. My personal choice in the 6mm's is the 95/100 Partitions, but the Barnes TSX is also an awesome bullet and will outperform its weight class by a considerable margin. Practice with another, less expensive bullet, but hunt with Quality!! :D Regards, Eagleye.
 
I've used the 100 gr Hornady Soft Point with 36grains of 4895 behind it for years. The chronograph shows 2794fps average. I have killed more Southern Ontario Whitetails with this load than I can remember. Ranges were from 25 yd to 250 yards with most in the 75-100 yard range. I have recovered 2 bullets and both held together, mushrooming as they should. The others passed through. Most deer ran a short distance with a good blood trail. No need for expensive bullets.
I used my goundhog load of Sierra 85 HPBT with 37 grains of 4895 on deer ONCE. Hit the deer in the heart which was turned to pulp. Deer ran over 100 yards and almost wasn't recovered as there was no exit wound or blood trail. I would NOT recommend anything lighter than 100 grains for deer.
 
Hi Ranger
This is what I have for IMR.4350 for the 95 Grn. Nos.Part.
38.0 Grns.=2876 Fps.
40.0 Grns.=2986 Fps.
42.0 Grns.=3092 Fps.
This is out of NollersReloading Manual #Two.and the rifle used
was a Sako with a 24 in.barrel.Expect a bit less Vel.from a 22 in.
barrel.
Ballistic co.is 372
Sectional Dens.is 229
I have never checked these velocities on my Chrony myself.
Just going by what the book say.Hope that this helps.
 
read the article in rifle mag ordinary bullets, i used rem bulk 100 gr in the .243 for years lots of deer died one shot kills , one moose died one shot at 150 yds no need for expesive bullets in lower velocity calibers, wade
 
I have taken two big deer this year w/ my .270 and used a CT Ballistic SilverTip hunting round. By far this is the most accurate bullet on the range w/ my .270 and has anchored both deer w/out a problem. This bullet does come in a 6mm and costs around $20 a box.
I also agree w/ Wade, lots of deer taken w/ .243's using cheap lead point hunting rounds. Premium bullets are great for big game but thin skinned animals such a whitetail shot placement is more important then bullet quality IMHO :D

Cheers!!
 
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