reloading the .243 win

[rp85]

hello;

new to reloading the .243 win.  rifle is a howa, 20" bbl.  best i can do is 2800fps with the 95 nosler/ 100 gr. rem. imr4831 powder.  are these loads good enought for 100-150# deer?  thanks for any input.

rp

[joshco84]

i hate to admit it but i have shot deer with my grandpa's .243 with reloads that are twenty years old and all that we know is they are 100 grain hollow points.  but yes i would think that as plenty sufficient for deer, especially that small.

[victorcharlie]

It really depends on how dead you want the deer..........

Your load will be find, just put it in the right place.......

[hillbill]

that load will kill deer deader than the specs sound like. if your new to reloading the .243, check your cases once in awhile for stretch. my .243 tends to stretch them a little.

[dogwhisperer5]

   Just place the bullet in the proper place, and you will fill your freezer. In spite of what you may have read or been told, you really don't need ".30-06 class and up" rifles for deer. There are those that will tell you that the .243 ain't a deer rifle, but it's been used successfully for 50 years now. It kills well on deer-sized critters when used properly, just like any cartridge.

[Jasper243]

My 22" barrel remington 700 really has to work to hit 2900.  2850 fps with a hornady 100 gr. interlock gives me great results on deer.  Plenty of internal damage even when hitting shoulder or a rib or two...Longest shot has been about 140 yds.  Shoot it with confidence (mine shoots 3 shots under 1/2" at 100 yds).  It is plenty of gun for deer.

Jasper_243

[Davemuzz]

If you are reloading the Nosler partition bullet, and hit the deer in the boiler room, it won't go far. It will drop em just as good as when a 30 caliber hit's 'em in the boiler room.

Dave

[wncchester]

rp, I have one of the very first .243 Weatherby Vanguards, the same rifle as yours, but with a 22" bbl.  My "standard" deer load is a 100 gr. Hornady SP over a charge of H-4831.  I can get a bit higher velocity with IMR4350 but I still have a good amount of the original H-4831 on hand and use it when I can.   

My best shooting 243 load only has a velocity of about 2700 fps but it kills our southern deer very well.  Most of my lung shot deer run, full bore, about 40 yards and passout on their feet.  In doing that, they die exactly like those I shoot with my bow, a .35 Rem, a .270, an -06, a 7mm Rem, etc IF I hit them the same.  Have tried the partitions too but couldn't tell any difference with them either but partitions would be better with larger critters.  So, remember that paper ballistics don't kill but holes in the right places do!

Considering the speed deer run and the distance (mine) typically travel before passing out on their feet, it's just a matter of 3 to 5 seconds before they drop.  That's not instant unconsciousness and death but it's pretty close!  And, for me, it is a rare deer that drops in its tracks with any caliber unless I hit the spinal cord. 

I don't think you will be missing anything with your rifle and loads either.  Hunt and enjoy it.

[kenscot]

One of the largest deer I've killed fell to my 243 with a 95gr ballistic tip and that was after drilling a one inch sapling so I think you will be  just fine

[Slamfire]

I've killed over 50 deer with the .243 and .244/6mm, there isn't much difference. H 4350 has much the same burn rate as IMR 4831, and H 4831 will allow the use of another grain or two of powder. Velocity isn't a good indicator of killing power, as long a penetration is sufficient. In fact, moderate velocities delay expansion until vital areas are released, while higher velocities cause expansion faster, sometimes on the surface. 2800 fps is only giving up 25 yards of point blank range compared to 3000 fps. I also found that partitions aren't necessary at moderate velocities, as standard cup types preform well at those speeds. It is possible that your rifle may like them better though, so use them if that is true. 

[safetysheriff]

rp'

after seeing what high velocity (and proper bullets) out of a .223 will do to deer going up to 250 lbs' i'll make this suggestion:

load your .243  with 87 grain Hornady spire points and either H-414, Win 760 or imr 4350.   use a winchester primer and watch your rifle shoot flatter and hit the deer harder (that's right, because they are just deer not heavy black bear!) at ranges out to 300 or maybe 350 yds.   Speed Kills! when it comes to varmints and most whitetails.   if the Hornady 87 gr' is not accurate in your rifle try a little bit lighter Nosler Partition than the 95 you've loaded -- if they still make them.    you'll see!

take care,

ss'