243 wssm { what's wrong}

[Dodge61]

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and need some advice. Recently I purchased a new Winchester Ultimate Shadow in 243 wssm. I mounted a vari.x III 3X9X50 and sighted it in. The rifle is fairly accurate from the bench putting 5 shots in about an 1.25 using factory ammo. There is not that much variety to choose from in factory ammo. I have been shooting Win. 100 gr. spire points. Now the problem, I know the rifle is sighted in properly and I'm hitting very close to where I'm aiming. During this past deer season I shot two deer and they both were hit and ran off. Also, the same has happened with a coyote that was knocked down got up and ran off. In the past I've mainly used the old standard 243 and have never had this problem. I've been told from some other hunters that the bullet is traveling through the animal with little damage. Please help. Thanks

 

[BoydHeaton]

My guess would be poor shot placement

 

[Dodge61]

Well I suppose that would be the natural conclusion, but that's not the case. I've never had this problem with other rifles. I know I'm not the world's best shot but I hit where I'm aiming most the time. I have reloaded for years and have purchased a set of dies for the 243 wssm.I thought that somebody would possibly know of a better hunting bullet. Most of my reloading over the years is with target rifles 6br, 6.5x284, 222 and such. Therefore, most of the bullets I've used were for target shooting.

 

[Austin]

For me an obvious choice for deer is a 100gr Nosler Partition or with good shot placement a 90gr Swift Scirocco.A Sierra Gameking or Prohunter in 100gr will also work.I here many a coyote and deer mule or whitetail fall to a 105 A-Max.The Hornady 95gr SST,100gr Softpoint,100gr BTSP will do just fine. A key point to consider is you need a stronger bullet to hold up to the velocity of the 243WSSM and not explode or just punch a hole.It needs to get into vitals with the most weight retained.That is why a Nosler Partition is my top choice.It can only go so far.Or the more economical route is the 100gr core-lokt,it is a proven vermin killer to deer and elk.

 

[2644ever]

Depending on what you intend to hunt, I would use either Nosler's Ballistic Tips or Partitions and never look back. If you do your part I would be most surprised if you don't get significant results with either bullet.

 

[Austin]

If you use a Balistic tip be sure to buy the hunting version not the varmint one.The hunting version has a thicker jacket. Also the 90gr Swift Scirocco has a bonded core.Will be good for deer or coyotes.

 

[Dodge61]

Thanks so much for the advice. I will CERTAINLY use it. I really like the concept of the short fat WSSM cartridge and appreciate the help.
Dodge61

 

[rstreich]

I'd avoid the Nosler Ballistic Tips, at least in .24 caliber. Even at .243 velocities at 300 yards the 90 gr. versions will spread shrapnel like no tomorrow. They do kill well and will punch all the way through deer-sized game, but you'll be picking lead and copper jacket out of your meat.

Stick with the Sciroccos or the Barnes TSX.

 

[AckleymanII]

My brother and nephews shoot the 100g Hornady BTSP and you will not have any problems with that bullet and it is very accurate!

What kind of bullets were you using when you shot all of these animals?

 

[Dodge61]

They were the winchester factory load 100 grain spire points.

 

[chino1969]

I'd avoid the Nosler Ballistic Tips, at least in .24 caliber. Even at .243 velocities at 300 yards the 90 gr. versions will spread shrapnel like no tomorrow. They do kill well and will punch all the way through deer-sized game, but you'll be picking lead and copper jacket out of your meat.

Stick with the Sciroccos or the Barnes TSX.

I have to agree with you. I use the Ballistic Tips for varmints where I want maximum terminal effect and am not worried about meat.
Chino69

 

[Baily]

I couldnt get my modle 70 to shoot great either. First it a 1 10 twist from the factory. Also the necks are to thick. I was reloading for mind and if you didnt push the bullet hard -It would leave burned powder down the neck and pass the shoulder. The case also got hard quick i think do to the case being thick.

 

[amax]

I have killed 23 deer with the 243wssm the last 3 seasons, and have had great results with the 95 gr ballistic tips. 20 of the deer were killed using the 95s and the other 3 were killed using berger 90 gr match. The shortest shot made was 108 yds. and the second shortest shot was 287 yds. The longest shot was 467 yds made with the 95 gr ballistic tip. I have not recovered a bullet yet, and have nice exit wounds. The longest blood trail was around 50 yds. which was a 238 lb ten pt. shot at 327 yds.
My factory mod 70 coyote averages under 3/4 moa for 5 at 100 yds. with a timney trigger and home bedding job.
Oh by the way all yardages were recorded using leica 1200 range finder and written in my hunting journal. I bought the wssm, because I like to experiment with new stuff, and have been somewhat impressed with this round, other than the thick necked brass. I overcome this by using slighly faster burning powder. I dont have my data with me at work, but I turned in some half inch groups with varget and federal brass,Grafs).
I also got an ar15 upper chambered in 243wssm, and it is more accurate than my bolt gun.

John M.

 

[Twud]

Triple Dittos on the Nosler Partitions. I won't shoot anything else on big game. You've got a soft nose that will open up at any velocity and on any game, yet you've got the partition that is impossible to destroy. I've shot deer at 10 yards with my .257 Wby.,and at 3,400 fps the bullet went through but did not fragment.I have recovered slugs from a 1600 lb. Cape Eland shot at 75 yds. with my .300 Wby that went 3/4 of the way through the boiler room. The petals peeled all the way back and the core was totally intact. Went out at 180 grs. weighed in at home at 155 grs.
What sums it up is that you have a bullet that will always open up but never fragment.

 

[selmer]

100 gr. Partition works great. The only bullet I'll send after deer in a .243. It has run more than one deer from chest to rear and out the other side,or vice-versa) and if you do recover the bullet, it's a guaranteed 66% weight retention and you will not lose anymore than that. That's alot of energy dump in the animal. Did I mention 100 gr. PARTITION? Oh yeah, I almost forgot, use the Partition. Sorry, my brain is cooked on final papers, this site is a good distraction!
Selmer