whats a good factory deer load for .243?

[buckslayer]

this is my first season with the .243, so im not sure what to try in it.  any suggestions?  bullet types/weights?
thanks for any help.

[quickdtoo]

Federal 100gr Power-shoks from Walmart, or Federal 95gr Fusion, 80gr Rem Core-lokts PSP , they all shoot good to excellent in my 243 H&Rs.

Tim

[TribReady]

No real experience with anything but Federal 100gr Power-Shoks.  I'd recommend them also

[backstrap]

100 grain core loks works well on deer,shot 1 of my bigest bucks with a nef 243 useing 100gr remy coreloks

[dpe.ahoy]

One of my sons got a nice mule deer buck with the Fed. Fusion and it did a great job.  Not the best hit, but he didn't go more than 40 yards.

[cwlongshot]

100 grain core loks works well on deer,shot 1 of my bigest bucks with a NEF 243 using 100gr Remy coreloks

 I agree with Back strap!!  Also, stick with bullets of at least 90Gr's. (One exception I can think of is the 85gr Partition) As a rule anything lessthan 90 is considered a VARMINT bullet. I see Tim suggested a Rem 80gr bullet. While it may shoot well its not meant for big game.
  Its hard to beat the Cor-lokts as many times they are available at discount stores at very attractive prices!!  I saw a local Wall mart had a number of calibers offered at LESS than 10 bucks a box!!!

 CW

[mechanic]

Just killed two deer yesterday with the Handi in 243.  I used the core locs in 100 gr.  One deer was a spine shot at 60 yds, and of course dropped in her tracks.  The other was running full out, I shot her at an angle that entered behind the shoulder and exited the rib cage.  You could almost stick your head in the exit. 

I was really concerned about the ability of this little rifle.  It will now be my favorite.  The fellas' are right.   Just use a big enough bullet, and put it where it needs to go. I previously shot a small buck at about 180 yds with the Hornady sst in 95 grains.  So far, I've not had to track a wounded deer.

Ben

[quickdtoo]

As a rule anything lessthan 90 is considered a VARMINT bullet. I see Tim suggested a Rem 80gr bullet. While it may shoot well its not meant for big game.
 

Remington makes two 80gr loads, the Power-lokt HP would be the varmint bullet, but the 80gr pointed soft point works fine on deer given the usual proper shot placement. 

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,80699.0/wap2.html

[cwlongshot]

Remington makes two 80gr loads, the Power-lokt HP would be the varmint bullet, but the 80gr pointed soft point works fine on deer given the usual proper shot placement. 

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,80699.0/wap2.html

Not belabor the point and certainly NO disrespect intended, but at Tim's own admition, he is more of a shooter than a hunter.
 When speaking about the .243 dia. bullet, sans the partition 85, anything less than 90grs is considered a varmint bullet. Using such on big game is ill advised and at the very least unethical. I have no doubt everyone reading knows someone who has done this. This doesn't change the facts.

Below are some quotes from the posted link, "supporting" the use of this light bullet on big game;

Darn good performance for a "varmint bullet".

The 80 gr would not be my first choice

Okay, I'll say it.  That's not all that counts.  One kill with a particular bullet tells us little, if anything.  Any cartridge will kill under optimal conditions.  You did make a good shot - congrats.  Had you hit that shoulder on a raking shot like you took, it is likely the bullet would have splashed and never even entered the thorax.

This cal leaves little margin for error in shot placement.  Combine that with frangible bullet construction and you've got a recipe for disaster.  I would hate for someone to read your report and come to the conclusion that it is acceptable to select a varmint bullet for deer sized game.

CW

[STUMPJMPR]

The Federal Premiums loaded with the 85 Sierra Game King Hollow Point is a big game bullet...  I've never shot one with it but, my friend has killed several and they were all one shot kills... I always got to midwayusa.com and read the reviews on bullets before making a decision....

[quickdtoo]

Not belabor the point and certainly NO disrespect intended, but at Tim's own admition, he is more of a shooter than a hunter.

The only thing I can admit to is being able to shoot a lot more than I hunt lately, but that's certainly not been the case for all of my 61yrs!! Don't pick the cherries in that thread CW, rickt300's comment that you quoted was out of context. I'd damn sure pick the 243 80gr PSP over any 55-60gr 223 bullet which has been demonstrated to be effective on deer with proper shot placement. Hunters that choose shoulder shots will be disappointed with a lot of lighter cup and core bullets, if they place the shot just behind the shoulder they'd have much better results with those marginal chamberings. I don't even shoot elk in the shoulder, a bullet thru the boiler room insures a dead animal in short order, it may run a hundred yards or so, but it's running dead.

A lot of H&R 243s don't shoot the heavier bullets well, the 80gr PSP and the Sierra 85gr have been used effectively on deer and can shoot well out of H&Rs. In fact the 85gr Sierra was one of the first rounds I tried, but it didn't shoot well in mine. There's no doubt the 95-100gr bullets are better choices for deer in the 243, but for those rifles that don't shoot them well, there are lighter choices that will work fine given proper, selective shot placement.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,80699.0/wap2.html

For some reason I haven't been able to access this board for more than a week.  I went out to the lease yesterday to fill my last doe tag and because I have a new 243 and a box of Remington 80 grain PSP's I thought they would make a good combination on my last deer of the season.  The deer on this lease, especially the does are not hard to get almost perfect shot presentations on. The shot I took was a bit tougher than usual but no problems.  The doe was angling downhill to my right, she was maybe 40 feet higher than where I was standing. I had a solid rest against an old metal building and she was maybe 90 yards away. I also had to contend with brush that covered the bottom half of her chest. When she stopped her neck was behind a mesquite tree but I had an open shot at the top half of her chest.  I aimed just behind and below the bottom edge of her shoulder blade. At the shot she dropped and was still before I covered the 90 yards. The bullet had made a 2 inch hole in her rib cage on her right side and angled upward and reaeward to smash into the spine. It angled to her left rear thru 5-6 inches of spine to end up under the hide as pieces.  When it went thru the rib cage it threw rib fragments/ bullet fragments into the rear of the lungs and back thru the liver to the diaphram. She bled a lot thu the entrance hole where she lay.  Darn good performance for a "varmint bullet".

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=377207

Date Posted: 10/31/2004Have used this bullet a bunch in a couple different 243's. Has always given moa accuracy, particularly with H414. Montana mule deer buck at about 50 yards. Bullet hit near side shoulder, penetrated on thru both lungs, and was found under hide on far side. Hole in shoulder blade about 1 1/2 inches. Weighed 41 grains and expanded to .39 cal. Works as good for me as a Barnes X, and lots more shooting for the money.

 

[siamese4570]

I normally use reloads with 100 gr Nosler Partitions.  Killed two last year about 30 min apart.  The first was a small button buck, spined him, bang/flop.  The second was a 155 lb 10 point (biggest thing that I ever shot.  He went about 10-15 yards and fell over.  Don't really think that you need the premium bullets, but I would stick to the heavier 95-100 gr bullets if your gun shoots them well.  Used the 95 gr Fusion bullets once, worked well and were very accurate.  Good luck with whatever you decide to use.

Siamese4570

[quickdtoo]

Mike(buckslayer) has since bought some 95gr Fusions to get him started, a good choice, it's got an excellent track record for Handi accuracy and performance on deer. 

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,155685.msg1098673624.html#msg1098673624

[cwlongshot]

First off, the following is a FRIENDLY responce to our disagreement. No offense meant or taken. Its allright to disagree. As long as you have come about it honest. By that, I mean you have made an informed decision, not something you herd or read or worse yet, that a friend of a friend said they did some such thing.

 Tim,
 This is fun, I like this, informed discussion... If the "picking of cherries" your refer to, is simply my wading thru the superfluous banter to get to the pertinent information, I am guilty as charged.

 What your missing is I'm pointing out EVERY person quoted has acknowledged that 80Grain bullet of .243 diameter is a VARMINT BULLET. That's the plain and simple truth of it.
 To be clear, I never once argued it would not work. Back to my famous analogy, so will my Ball peen hammer. But its use and the fact that it "would" work doesn't mean it should be used. Even though with me swinging it, I will absolutely, 100% guaranty its absolute effectiveness, accuracy not with holding. 
 As to the accuracy of said bullet. You know as well as I that every gun is different. My Ultra and the one we just purchased for a friends son shoot my load with a 100gr Hornady RN Very well. Mine to sub 1" and the boys sub 2" when he listens to his father.

Just so I have it clear, Tim. Your reason for quoting the 80gr is basically the lack of accuracy with the 100gr, IE it wouldn't/didn't shoot well?

 Your spot on correct, a bullet THRU the boiler room will kill an aninal. My point is a VARMINT bullet may NEVER get that far!!! Even IF there was a CHANCE that a bullet would not properly penetrate, why chance it? We OWE more than it "could" work to the game we hunt.

In closing, The general consensus, from your own quotes, is that the 80GR IS a VARMINT bullet. No matter the context it comes from. That is all I am trying to get across. 

 Back on track:

Re: whats a good factory deer load for .243? This is my first season with the .243, so I'm not sure what to try in it.  Any suggestions?  Bullet types/weights?.

Buckslayer,
 Any bullet of at least 90 Gr's weight, that shoots to your satisfaction.

 I have had good luck with the 100 sierra loaded in Federal Premium.
 I have herd others sing the praises of the 95gr Federal Fusion. But have no first hand experience with that load.

 Tim says you have tried the Fusion, GREAT, let us know how it shoots and how it worked on deer!!

CW

[quickdtoo]

Well, for someone that doesn't want to belabor the point, you seem to be doing that very well!!  I guess we have to agree to disagree, Remington doesn't even list it in their ammo descriptions, they do list the Power-Lokt HP as a varmint/small game bullet, but no PSP except for the Core-lokt, I contend the PSP is intended for bigger critters to include deer, unlike the Power-lokt HP.

Tim

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/core-Lokt.asp

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/comparative_ballistics_results.aspx?data=R243W1*R243W2

[LaOtto222]

The .243 85 grain Barnes TSX BT is an excellent bullet for deer. I t was designed with big game in mind. It is under 90 grains, but is longer than a typical 85 lead core bullet. I am not sure how it would shoot out of a Handi rifle. People have had mixed results with these Barnes bullets. Some think they are the Bee's knees and some do not think they are worth a hoot. I think you have to try them to see how they shoot out of your gun. They are a premium bullet and you are going to pay a premium price for them, but if they will shoot well out of your gun, they will perform well on deer. Good shooting and Good Luck

[cwlongshot]

  Yea I went and checked there too. Great minds think alike!!  

 Like I mentioned, its OK to disagree. Differences are what makes the world go round.

Let me also add. Tim, I still and will always respect your opinions.

 To quote another good friend of mine..."Its ALL GOOD".  

 CW

[LaOtto222]

After reviewing your post, I realized you were looking for factory loads. I do not think the Barnes bullet is available in a factory load. I think it is strictly a hand load proposition. Sorry.

[quickdtoo]

I just don't want to folks to pass up a cheap factory alternative that may very well work great for deer for 99% of those that use em, they still sell for about $15 a box here, on sale for $12 just before deer season along with 30-30 ammo. 

I didn't know that Remington used any plated bullets except in rimfire ammo, but the Power-lokt is one of em!! But the Fusion is a plated bullet and it works well for deer, so even that can work with the right technology.

Thanks, the feeling is mutual CW.

Tim

[quickdtoo]

After reviewing your post, I realized you were looking for factory loads. I do not think the Barnes bullet is available in a factory load. I think it is strictly a hand load proposition. Sorry.

You're redeemed, Federal loads the 85gr TSX!! 

Tim

http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/rifle.aspx?id=589

[clum sum]

 Without a doubt Rem. 100 gr cor lock will get the job done. And they are about as hard to find as blisters after a 15 mile hike, nor do they cost an arm and leg.

[quickdtoo]

They'll only do the job if they hit the right spot, many 243 H&Rs keyhole 90-95gr and bigger bullets. Of course a 100gr bullet sideways hitting a deer has to be bad news for the deer.....if you hit it!!

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,122539.msg1098420659.html#msg1098420659

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,37742.msg213772.html#msg213772

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,41887.msg242217.html#msg242217

[BBF]

What little hunting I have done with the .243 Win Cartridge was handloaded with the 100 gr Sierra Spitzer. A tough bullet for its class. Penetrated mulies and just about 1 young bull moose, the off side shoulder blade stopped it after going through the the on side blade and breaking a few spines on the vertebrae.

My recommendation, start no lower then 85 gr. Premium's( add 85 gr Sierra HP) and go up, don't forget the 105 gr. Speer. if it shoots well from your rifle

[rickt300]

I can't remember the first deer I took with the 80 grain PSP by Remington from either my 6MM Remington or my 243. I did however load this bullet and use it on several more deer after I sold my 243. This bullet certainly was not designed to fly apart on contact and it certainly is a good deer bullet if you hunt from stands and have time to place your bullet carefully. I have had this bullet exit on broadside hits behind the shoulder on deer weighing as much as 150 pounds. I think it was designed before they knew how to make really good varmint bullets as it never seemed to make big holes in coyotes. However if you are hunting on public land taking any shot that comes your way then this bullet and the 6MM/243 cartridges in my opinion are not the best for the job using any bullet. I now load the 95 grain Ballistic Tip in my 6MM Remington and this bullet opens much faster than the 80 grain PSP and it sometimes even exits. The shots I will take with any 6MM are those directed at the ribs and neck in front of the shoulder blade as I never liked shooting the meat up anyway. Neither of these bullets is much good for feral hogs unless you hit them in the neck or around the ear but you have to know the limitations of your rifle and bullet. If you consistantly and on purpose shoot for shoulders then the heavier bullets probably are better, possibly a cartridge shooting a larger diameter bullet with half again as much weight would fit the bill. I remember the first buck I killed with my 6MM Remington using a 100 grain Corelokt factory load. It was a 3 point Mulie buck and I hit him just behind the shoulder, the bullet coursing thru his chest and breaking the offside shoulder ending up under the hide. Upon skinning and butchering I wondered why you would need more gun surveying the damage done. The bullet was a perfect mushroom.

[BCall]

Since this came back up, I have to note I shot a nice doe yesterday with my OE in 243, using cheap Prvi Partizan 100gr loads. They shoot very well in my gun, and since I did not have time to work up a handload, I used them. I shot her quartering away, pulled the shot, went in at her hip, broke bone, then went all the way through and ended up taking out the bottom of the lung on the off side. Mad a hell of a mess, she ran without alot if blood since the bullet did not exit, about 125 yds and piled up. If I had done my job better, probably would have exited and did her in quicker, but it still worked. For about $13 and change a box from Grafs, I'll probably keep using them for a while.

[Siskiyou]

I almost switched to my .243 Winchester this year after taking a deer with a .270.  The old Remington M788 in 243 is a very accurate rifle, but I did not make the switch.  I have regulated it to coyotes.  Years back I had bought a 1000 Winchester 80-grain bullets and I have been pleased with them on paper, coyotes, jackrabbits, and digger squirrels.  I could not bring myself to hunt deer with the 80-grain Winchester bullets because of a bad experience a neighbor had with them on deer when the .243 first came out.

Has anybody had experience with the Winchester 80-grain bullet on deer?

Before going to Vietnam a younger brother was shooting deer with the 80-grain Speer with success. 

I bought five box's of 100-grain Federal ammunition on sale last year but I have not had a chance to try it at the range.  If point of impact is close to 80-grain handloads the .243 might have a future as a deer rifle. 

[rickt300]

Can't argue with success.  You got pretty good penetration out of your factory load.

[gstewart44]

I just switched to Fusion 95 gr this year in my Handi 243.   I finally used up my supply of Winch.Supreme 100gr.    My Handi loves the Fusion!   It shoots significantly better groups than I got with the Winchester supremes (Win = 1.75"   Fusion = 1").  I havent taken any game with it yet but the season ain't over yet.   The other guys in camp swear by the Hornady Light Magnum loads in 243......it is all they have used for the past 6 years and have taken many deer.    One guy actually got 2for 1 with a doe and buck standing broadside - the Hornady round went through the lungs on both deer.   the doe ran about 20 yds and laid down.....the buck was found in some thick stuff about 100yds away.

[JKump]

I have done well with Hornady 100 grain light Mags out of my Handi.

[super mario]

federals 85 gr sierra game king hollow points are a big game bullet
federals 85 gr tsx is a big game bullet
remington 80 gr pointed soft point is a big game bullet
remingtons 80 gr hollow point is a varmint bullet
remington 75 gr v-max is a varmint bullet
winchester 80 gr pointed soft point is classified as a varmint bullet.

I dont know when deer became bullet proof but I have punched a 45 gr hollow point (varmint bullets) straight through deer time and time again,
bullets that come apart leave some nasty damage.
any 80 gr .243 load will go through a deer end to end.

.243 -190 yds- federal 100 gr sierra game kings exit wound, shot by my youngest pictured









.22 Hornet- 75 yds- 45 gr hollow points - neck shot exit wound.