243 Bullet recommendation for deer

[Fern]

I have some factory stuff for my hunt but now that we are going into great weather (Phoenix) I want to develope some loads for my R700 in 243 and a second one in youth for my son.
I have h4350 for powder and varget and a pound of imr 4064 as well

 

[Eric Leonard]

Sierra 100 gr SBT or Hornady 100 gr BTSP whichever shoots best in your rifle

 

[mmcu]

The 85 grain Sierra GameKing is tough to beat.

 

[243winxb]

Watch barrel twist rate & bullet length when using the long boatail bullets.
A 18" bbl 10 twist with heavy long bullets may open groups.

The 85 grain Sierra GameKing is tough to beat. (#1530)

And works well in my Rem 600Mohawk carbine. IMR 4350. H4350 uses a hair more powder.

 

[Fern]

The 85 grain Sierra GameKing is tough to beat.

Yeah I did some reading and good results from people but also read if you hit bone it can make a mess of things traveling along the rib cage
Shots I feel are going to be in the 200-300 yard range

 

[Fern]

I forgot to mention both of these are ADL rifles from Walmart. Bought when they purged their rifles at stupid prices.
Hope to convert to bdl some day

 

[mmcu]

Yeah I did some reading and good results from people but also read if you hit bone it can make a mess of things traveling along the rib cage
Shots I feel are going to be in the 200-300 yard range

Given your shot distance, and the species of deer you'll likely be hunting, I'd also recommend the following:
1. For Coues, the 90 grain Ballistic Tip would be a great choice.
2. For Mulies, the 90 grain Accubond and 80 grain Barnes TTSX should get some serious consideration.

I still like the 85 grain Sierra as an all-purpose bullet.

 

[Darkside]

How about the new Sierra Gamechanger it a 90gr. green BT bullet. I have not shot any animals with them but they are very accurate out of my Rem 700 all factory spec 21" barrel. Hope this helps.

 

[Loudenboomer]

The 85 gr Nosler partition @ about 3300 fps is a good deer killer. The 85gr Sierra is our general shooting load too. POI is very close @ practical ranges in our rifles.

 

[CJ6]

I've been playing with the 100gr. Sierra GameChangers (tipped). Very accurate. I haven't tried them on deer yet. Using VV 165, Fed 210.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I've been playing with the 100gr. Sierra GameChangers (tipped). Very accurate. I haven't tried them on deer yet. Using VV 165, Fed 210.

I’ve tried them in my 6x47L just on steel. Thumps them a lot harder at 500 compared to the 107 SMK.

 

[JLT]

Berger 105 gr. HVLD if you have a 1:8 twist.

 

[MrK.]

I absolutely love the Speer 90 gn Hot-Cor.

 

[swd]

Love the 95gr Partition. The front half blows up and does tons of damage while the back half keeps on going.

 

[HandgunHTR]

95 grain Sierra TMKs are great deer bullets, if you can find them.

 

[K22]

85 Sierra BTHP has been a winner for me, but all the deer I have taken with this bullet were under 200 yards. Also, all the powders you listed work extremely well with this bullet.

PS: I will take a look at the energy values at 300 yards and verify that it is enough for a deer. I only mention this because I have never taken one at those distances, so I have no real-world experience with this bullet beyond about 175 yards or so. My concern would be penetration to vitals at that those distances.

 

[jpretle]

100g Hornady Interlock, has always worked well for me..

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Berger 105 gr. HVLD if you have a 1:8 twist.

BERGER 87 grain, H-VLD's @ .070 Off Jam, IF you have, a 1-10 Twist at, 3,165 FPS with, VhitaVouri, N-160 Powder, has got my Grandson, 2 Large Bodied, Heavy Horned Mulies, in the Idaho Desert at, 225 and 268 yards and Both,. DRT !
We get, Sub 1/2 MOA Group's with THIS, Bullet and powder, combo.

 

[Fern]

I absolutely love the Speer 90 gn Hot-Cor.

Funny I was looking through my items and found a box a friend had traded me couple years ago.
Been looking up info on all recommendations appreciate all the info

 

[Gary in MD]

Any .243 hunting bullet put through the vitals is going to put a deer down fast. Try a few and see which one your gun shoots well. I like the 95 grain Ballistic tips, they are accurate, expand well, and usually penetrate all the way through a deer. Any of the 3 powders that you have will work fine in the 243 Win.