260 or 243 80%varmint 20% deer

[ttfreestyle]

ok i have ended up with a gun without a barrel. i have brass and dies for both the 243 and 260. so which one is best for a 80% varmint-20% deer caliber? this is strictly a carry gun and i reload so factory ammo is of no concern. barrel length of 22-24 inch range. thanks

 

[K22]

When that deer of a life time appears you'll wish you had the more powerful caliber and the 20% allocation plan for deer hunting will seem irrelevant. With that said, the 243 was designed exactly for the secarnio you described, i.e. "a varmint rifle to be used for an ocassional deer hunt" and many on this forum have reported succeed using it for deer.

The 260 is obviously a better deer caliber but a bit heavy for varmints especially if varmint hunting is 80% of you're intended usage. I don't think you could go wrong with either one especially if you select high quality bullets since you reload. Also using one rifle for both can be a real advantage since you'll become more familiar with handling and shooting it.

I have two, 243's and love them. But when I hunt deer (antlered) I take my 308. Three years ago I shot a buck of a life time at 150 yards, my best deer ever, and I was glad I had the 308, he was over 200 pounds with a massive rack. Maybe the 243 would have killed him just as well, I don't know. Shot placement is probably more important than a specific caliber but I just feel more confident with the larger caliber when hunting deer.

Incidently, if you choose the 243, try IMR 4350 powder with whatever bullets you choose. The 80 grain Sierra Blitz is a great varmint bullet in this caliber and shoots great with 4350. The 85 grain Sierra BT could be a good choice for an all around bullet. I read reports that it's real effective on deer. A friend of mine hunts exclusively with a 243 and uses the 100 grain Sierra Pro Hunter bullet and had a lot of success with it. He claims never to have lost one with it.

 

[MQ1]

With an 8 or 9 twist and a 105 amax or 107 Berger hunting bullet, I doubt you'll regret a .243 for deer. Where are you planning to hunt deer? Thick woods, or more open? How far do you expect to shoot your deer?

MQ1

 

[justlucky]

I would choose the 260 and just have more than one load. Use the Sierra 85gr or 100gr for varmint and something like 120gr for deer.

I personally use 100 for everything, but I have not shot a deer with it yet. I have read many comments where people claim that the 100 does well on deer, but I have not done so yet.

My recipe is 100gr Sierra #1710
H4350 49gr
Very close to the lands
About 3100 fps

Warning: It makes a mess of whatever it hits.

 

[CPorter]

I've been using the .243 Winchester since 1980 so I' a bit biased. As you probably know there are a wide variety of bullets available or it. 55 to 120 grains, varmint, game and target bullets. The .243 has been one of the most versatile cartridges made and probably will be for years. So if you are a good shot and don't spaz out when a deer appears then you can knock down with a .243 just as easy as with a .260. It's about shot placement and bullet selection. In Texas with the small bodied deer we have you can get away with varmint bullets on deer as long as you don't try quartering shots through the shoulder. In other areas you might want a partition, bonded core, or other hunting bullet. I've used 55-70 grain ballistic tips & 58 gr Vmax without issue on hogs, deer, and coyotes.

 

[swampshooter]

I really doubt if any of the bullets available in 6.5 are frangible at .260 velocities. If the lack of ricochets is a consideration maybe this aspect should be investigated before choosing the .260, or just go with the .243.

 

[kyreloader]

I load for my 12 yo nephew in his 243 Winchester. I load 87g Vmax bullets for practice/varmints and 85g Interbonds for deer. The BC of the two bullets are very similar according to Litz, so no need to learn two trajectories. Both bullets share POI out to 300 yards, so easy. The Vmax bullet is excellent for varmints and the bonded nature of the Interbond makes it a great deer bullet.

243 would be my answer.

 

[FryeGuy]

I would vote for the .260 w/ no regrets. use the 85hp or 100hp for varmints. I would even deer hunt if you wanted to with the 100hp. in the .260 I used the 120spt sierra deer hunting and loved it. anywhere from 10yds to 175yds. then absolutely perfect shot placement isn't as necessary, and if you want to anchor the deer you can do that shoulder shot. I agree that shot placement is very, very important, but why is it that always comes up with folks talking about deer hunting with a .243?? ever wonder?? I have killed deer with a .243 and 6mm rem, but when I go now, I tend to take bigger stuff. I almost always hunt with a .308, with 165hpbt sierras. then when a big buck comes out, i don't worry about waiting on him to turn etc. head on, quartering away, whatever, I shoot it. The .260 with the heavy bullets will do just as good. I have used the 100hp sierras in a 6.5x284 speeds and they did great on deer as well. same bullet in a 264 Win mag will kill them also, and it does save you the butcher bill, it's already burger.

 

[WyleWD]

243. Put a 1-10 Twist 26-27" barrel on there get a load worked up with 70gr NBT or 75gr Vmax's for varmints, and work up a load for the Sierra 85gr HPBT for deer. I've been using the 85gr HPBT for deer since the mid 1970's. Best deer killing bullet I've ever used in any caliber. I Agree with the above posts that 4350 is a good place to start for powder, as would be WW760, N550, or R-17. WD

 

[distinguished]

I believe the 260 will give longer barrel life but when you get right down to it, it is all about shot placement.

 

[ttfreestyle]

thanks for all the replys guys, i am leaning for the 243 right now(because i found a cheap barrel lol). has anyone used the barnes ttsx in the 243? i think its 85 grains.

 

[peterf225]

The Barnes TTSX is 80gr and the TSX is 85 gr.

 

[ttfreestyle]

thanks, was going off a tired memory lol. have you had any experience with either?

 

[necchi]

But EVERYBODY's got .243's,,,
Hear the call of the distant drummer, Dance to another rythym man,, Live!!

 

[MrMajestic]

But EVERYBODY's got .243's,,,
Hear the call of the distant drummer, Dance to another rythym man,, Live!!

;D, I'm with him!

 

[RJinTexas]

A 243 Win with a 9.25tw 24" barrel will shoot anything from 55gr to 95gr NBT's bullets well.

RJ

 

[potatoe]

I used 80 grain tipped tsx last year on a doe and a buck with good results. The doe was quartering towards me at about 50 yards, she went less than 30 yards after the hit. The buck was broadside around 75 yards, he only took a few steps. I don't think they exited though.

 

[peterf225]

thanks, was going off a tired memory lol. have you had any experience with either?

Last year was the first time trying the Barnes bullets but it was in a 308. I was running the 130gr TTSX and took two deer and 1 coyote with it. The deer both dropped DRT one at 212 yds and the other at 175yds. It left a devestating wound channel and exited. I am going to be trying the 80gr TTSX in my 6x47L this year.

 

[30378]

A good accurate 243 with 90gr Nosler Ballistic Tips will meet the needs of either case you describe.

 

[Larryh128]

The Barnes 85 gr TTSX is THE deer bullet in 6mm. I'm not a fan of the 243 at all but this bullet makes it a deer round. When you play in the realm of dual purpose cartidges, usually they underperform in both venues.