Author Topic: whats a good factory deer load for .243? (Read 6237 times)

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #30 on:** November 18, 2008, 01:42:03 AM »

Super Mario,
After looking at your pictures I think my .243 is way too much gun for white tail... I better save it for elephants...

super mario · « **Reply #31 on:** November 18, 2008, 02:23:29 AM »

Quote from: STUMPJMPR on November 18, 2008, 01:42:03 AM

Super Mario,
After looking at your pictures I think my .243 is way too much gun for white tail... I better save it for elephants...

sometimes I think its a bit much too.
heres a hog,
243-100 gr sierra game kings - 125 yds

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #32 on:** November 18, 2008, 03:23:58 AM »

That's why I like to shoot the outdated 30-30 it doesn't leave all that bloodshot meat as bad...

super mario · « **Reply #33 on:** November 18, 2008, 03:32:21 AM »

Quote from: STUMPJMPR on November 18, 2008, 03:23:58 AM

That's why I like to shoot the outdated 30-30 it doesn't leave all that bloodshot meat as bad...

Ya I grew up with a turdy turdy. I am actually thinking about getting another one. If your into reading ballistics the turdy turdy is a turd, but
that thing worked well as I remember, something about big round slow moving bullets. Seems like they hit hard, and animals feel it and down they go.

Got my eye on this one.

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #34 on:** November 18, 2008, 03:59:54 AM »

I have never killed a deer with the 30-30 but I have killed several hogs and none of them ran... When I was a boy I saw my dad shoot a small buck with the 30-30 and he didn't run either... He just dropped to his knees on his front legs and fell over... He didn't even kick... That is actually my favorite rifle to hunt with... My longest shots are 200 yards but most shots are about 50-100 yards....

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #35 on:** November 20, 2008, 11:54:42 AM »

Since the disscussion went on about light bullets vs heavy bullets and the need for a heavier bullet to effectively take a deer sized animal here is what I had happen to me Tuesday.

I shot a buck with my .270 using 130 grain Winchester power points.

The deer was only slightly quartering toward me from left to right, at approx. 150 yards.

I put the crosshairs just behind the shoulder after he stopped when I grunted at him.

I hit him, and he hunched up and kicked and ran almost all the way toward me and piled up, for a total of at least 100+ yards.

The bullet didn't pass through, but stayed in the animal.

It took out a couple of ribs and one lung on the right side, clipped the kidney, and lodged in the left hip.

After I processed the animal I found two pieces of bullet. The mushroomed jacket was in the hip bone joint, and the lead core had seperated and ended up in the ham.

I wasn't really impressed with the results of the Winchester power point, but I've had excellent results up until now.

The bottom line is I got the deer, although no blood trail I found the animal because I saw it fall within sight, and the bullet did it's job, but given the fact it was a .270 and a 130 grain bullet I think I should have at least got a pass through, and not that extreme a deflection.

Would the .243 have faired better with the same conditions, with 80 grians?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #36 on:** November 20, 2008, 01:12:57 PM »

That's not a shot I'd take with the .243 unless I was using premium bullets, but it sounds like you got good performance from a cup and core bullet.

Tim

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #37 on:** November 20, 2008, 01:49:28 PM »

I had a .243, but I traded it for the .270 this last fall, and never looked back.

So far my score is one raccoon at 110 yards (feeder thief).
One spike buck a little over a week ago at 125 yards DRT.
Eight point buck last Tuesday at 150 yards.

I sure like my Handi .270 to say the least!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #38 on:** November 20, 2008, 02:00:32 PM »

My best friend and huntin/fishin partner of 35yrs lost a doe a few years ago after shooting her in the front shoulder with his Browning .270 and Factory 130gr Nosler BTs, slightly quartering away 75-80yds, we trailed her skimpy blood trail for about 300yds and then lost the blood and her tracks, dunno what happened, but it didn't sour him on the 270, stuff just happens. He's a damn good shot, better than me and he's killed a lot of game, both deer and elk, but he was scratchin his head about than one.

Tim

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #39 on:** November 20, 2008, 03:05:52 PM »

Yep, you hunt long enough you see it all!

cwlongshot · « **Reply #40 on:** November 20, 2008, 04:01:22 PM »

Just want to report, three deer fell to Handis and the 243 here in Connecticut this past week!! All with same Rem 100gr Cor-lokt ammo.

#1 My buddies kid. (I mentioned him before in another post. First DAY EVER hunting) harvested a 120lb buck with one shot thru the shoulder/lungs @ 40 yards. A big Mule kick and burst of speed for about 50 yards before piling up.

#2 another 120lb deer this one a doe. Shot in the neck @ 20 yards, MISSING the spine. Large hole visible when second shot lo thru the heart was taken. Heart completely destroyed. NO BLOOD TRAIL!!! (Heart was gone) Deer found 100 yards away stone dead some 45 mins later. Different, guy and gun.

#3 145lb 5pt buck. 16:30 Today shot base of neck @ 120 yards. Bang flop. (Father of boy in #1, so it was same gun.)

vincewarde · « **Reply #41 on:** November 20, 2008, 04:24:05 PM »

A question from a long time shooter / want to be hunter: Isn't the size of the deer a big factor? The Blacktails I see out here in California are SMALL. The Whitetails I see on TV are HUGE by comparison (close to twice as big). If a 100gr .243 load works for Whitetails, I would think a properly constructed 80gr would be more than enough for our little Blacktails.

Some of the bucks I see out here can't weigh much more than 100lbs! I would think that the right .223 load might even work. Your thoughts?

poncaguy · « **Reply #42 on:** November 21, 2008, 04:31:51 PM »

Winchester Ballistic Silver Tips are very accurate in my Handi, think they are 95 grain...........expensive though

HogFan · « **Reply #43 on:** November 22, 2008, 12:15:45 AM »

I have used the 80 gr. Cor-lockts before and that's about all my dad ever used. I quit using them about 8 years ago, when I shot a doe with them and lost her. COme to find out my scope was bad, but I've got enough 100 gr. .243 bullets, I haven't bougth any more 80 gr. ones.

crarnold65 · « **Reply #44 on:** November 23, 2008, 05:51:14 AM »

I have owned my 234 handi for several years now and this season was the first time I took it to the deer woods. I have spent many wonderful days at the range with this weapon and know exactly where it is going to hit when I pull the trigger. That being said my gun was loaded with Winchesters lowly 100 grain powerpoints the morning I took it to the woods. I have heard several people on various forums disparage this bullet but out of my rifle it is a tack driver. One hour after daylight nice buck walks out 115 yards away and stops in the middle of the field looking right at me. Put the crosshair about six inches above the bottom of his chest and pulled the trigger. He never took another step. i walked up to him and drug him to the side of the field and got back into my blind. Ninety minutes later a basket racked buck walked out about sixty yards away and I broke his neck. He abviously never took another step. My point is this, if you are confident in your shot placement and your capability with your weapon bullet construction and weight need not be the deciding factor as to your hunt being succesful. I must also point out that I did not have to take any risk in the hunting situation I described. i was hunting property that i have scouted exhaustively and knew the habits of the animals I was hunting. I knew the maximum range I would have to shoot and had a pretty good idea exactly where the deer would come out into the meadow. If I were on a booked hunt where I was hunting terrain that I was not so familiar with and might not get a perfect angle shot I would not be using the power points. I would try some of the barnes factory loadings and if I could not find a load my rifle would shoot with acceptable accuracy I would move up to one of my larer caliber rifles.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #45 on:** November 23, 2008, 06:15:49 AM »

The Winchester Power Point is a fine bullet. For what ever reason they are just not as popular as other names.

Quote

My point is this, if you are confident in your shot placement and your capability with your weapon bullet construction and weight need not be the deciding factor as to your hunt being successful.

Then you would be fine with my RWS air gun as it will shoot one hole groups... maybe my CZ .22RF, that too will shoot 1/2" groups as far as you dare shoot a .22RF. I'm being sarcastic of coarse. But don't kid your self, choosing the appropriate caliber and ammo is JUST AS important as how and where you place that bullet. A 375H&H thru the hoof is FAR lass effective than my or your 243 thru the chest. Your argument has Merritt for the LARGER than minimum caliber choices. NOT for the sub caliber choices.

CW

crarnold65 · « **Reply #46 on:** November 25, 2008, 06:35:46 PM »

I'me sorry did I missread the title of this thread? I do believe that it was about factory loads for the venerable .243. The majority of the question put forth seem to be about bullets of a hunting weight sufficient for whitetail sized game. I was simply expressing my belief that there were a number of loads that would work fine if the bullet is placed accurately. I also did state that if I could not achieve the acuracy I desired from a given bullet i would go to a larger caliber. Again I operated under the assumption that everybody was talking about the .243 considering the title of the thread so when I spoke of going to a larger caliber I was speaking of a caliber larger than .243. I cannot express how happy I am for you that your air gun shoots one hole groups or that your CZ .22 will shoot 1/2 groups. If you somehow read my post and assumed I would be okay with using either for deer I will in the future use shorter and easier to understand sentences for you CW. You see sarcasm is not just a weapon in your arsenal. Although I must add the .375 through the hoof thing just seemed a bit like overkill if you will excuse the expression. I primarily am a bowhunter and started freqenting this forum because a few years ago i brough a pretty litle NEF .243 with a nice laminated stock and fell in love with it my first trip to the range. I love to target shoot and have tried out just about every factory load I can find at Bass Pro or gander mountain. I have learned alot from the post on this forum. Enough that I can hardley wait for my New .308 handi rifle ( ibrought myself an early Christmas present)to show up at my local gun store. To a bowhunter like myself who has cleanly dispatched a number of deer with a bow and arrow that generates if I am lucky 70ftlbs of energy, when I step into one of my stands with my .243 I feel like I have a cannon (maybe not a .375 cannon as I save those for hoof shots). That does not however mean I will take a shot at an animal that I am not sure of killing cleanly. That has everything to do with being a responsible sportsman and having a respect for the animal you are hunting.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #47 on:** November 26, 2008, 12:04:52 AM »

Quote from: crarnold65 on November 25, 2008, 06:35:46 PM

I'm sorry did I missread the title of this thread? I do believe that it was about factory loads for the venerable .243. That does not however mean I will take a shot at an animal that I am not sure of killing cleanly. That has everything to do with being a responsible sportsman and having a respect for the animal you are hunting.

You are absolutely correct. I did get off on a tangent...No offence meant, please don't take it as such.
This is simply the point I was trying to make with previous posts. An ethical, humane hunter is what we should all strive to attain. Well put, thank you. Using properly constructed bullets is part of that. In your first post, when you mentioned bullet construction NOT being an important part of that, is what I took offence too. As I see now, you also understand, it IS part and parcel to humane harvesting of animals. That's all.

I too am a bowhunter for many years now. (My first compound was the Allen in the late 70's.) An arrow is a far more efficient & humane killer than a bullet. BUT, it too must be correctly placed to work correctly. (No hoof shots.

)

Good luck with your new 308, many of us here LOVE OURS!!! I have just begun working out better loads for mine. It shoots well, but I think I just got lucky with my load of IMR4320 and a 165GR bullet.

CW

crarnold65 · « **Reply #48 on:** November 26, 2008, 03:28:10 AM »

CW no offense taken. I rather enjoy people keeping me on my toes. I think we both have the same ideals as far a respect for the sport of hunting and most important respect for the animal you are hunting. My original post was a bit vague. I have a tendency to try to make one point and then blend into others.

I have a lot of questions concerning handloading in general and specifically for the handi rifle. I reloaded for my handguns many years ago untill my progressive reloader double charged a round for my .45ACP and cost me a nice handgun and any warm fuzzy feeling I had about reloading in general. I am going to get myself some new equipment (single stage only :-) ) and start working on some loads for my .243 and once my .308 shows up it as well. My first question is do you full length resize or neck only? I know some serious target shooters who resize neck only. Any info you could give would be appreciated.

I am sorry if this got a little off subject.

Thanks,

CR

BBF · « **Reply #49 on:** November 26, 2008, 04:34:54 AM »

There is absolutely no question in my mind that a Rem CorLokt bullet will hold up much better then any WW Power Point which has to be one of the most fragile bullets made( not counting Varmint types)

FW Conch · « **Reply #50 on:** November 26, 2008, 05:27:00 AM »

I agree that the CorLokt are & always have been very good bullets.

I would also add that the Federal Power Shock is also a very "quick opener"! I just took a deer @ 65yds
with a 150gr in 308 & in less than 12" of penetration the exit wound was the size of my fist. There was
blood on the ground, continuous,19 steps behind the POI where I think the bullet (remainder) entered the ground. There
was all this "stuff" that I didn't recognise on the ground & on the deer that I later figured out was "rib marrow". The deer still ran 54 steps & when I found it lung & liver was hanging out the exit hole.

I have not tried a 243 Power Shock yet but I am convinced it would produce a very dead whitetail. Just
be prepaired for a possable "mess" ! Good Hunting - Jim

backstrap · « **Reply #51 on:** November 26, 2008, 05:50:20 AM »

I dont think it matters the size of the deer u are shooting,if you shoot a good bullet it will kill a 80 doe or a 250 pound buck if the shot is put in the boiler room.i shot 1 of my biggest if not the biggest bucks with a 100 core lok in 243,i woundnt be afraid to shoot a 70 or 80 pound black tail buck with a 100 core lok or a 250 whitetail buck

TLARbb · « **Reply #52 on:** November 28, 2008, 04:32:48 PM »

100 grain Remington CoreLokt's are my .243 factory deer load. I rarely used factory loads when I was reloading, but the Remmy Corelokt is what I handloaded. It's still my recommendation.

I have shot deer with 100 grain Nozler partitions. The last one being a 4 point buck at about 45 yards. He jumped and wheeled and made it about 40 feet from where I hit him. The bullet lodged under the skin on the far side and had shed the front core. If the deer had run further there would have been hardly any blood trail to follow as there was no exit wound and the entry wound was small.

Every deer I shot with the Corelokt's was shot through. To be fair, I didn't have any lengthwise shots, so don't know what would have happened then.

But, I liked the way the CoreLokt's performed for me. Actually better than the Partition.

Sadly, my .243 went away and I haven't hunted any deer since I lost it. All of my handloads went with it. It was an honest 1/2' rifle.

My favorite deer handload was 100 grain corelokt over 42 grains of IMR 4350.

I have a new one, but it is still in the box. My ammo? You guessed it - Remington 100 grain Coreloct factory loads in the green and yellow box. No need for the pricey designer stuff.

EJ