Bullet selection .243
- Thread starter brokeasajoke
- Start date
I've very much enjoyed the .243 Win for 20+ years. I've taken mule deer, pronghorn, coyotes, and multitudes of prairie dogs with it. I wouldn't begin to feel like it's marginal until you start talking about larger big game such as elk, moose, and big bears, but it is certainly capable of killing them.
Stick with 85-100 grain hunting bullets and you'll be fine with what you're wanting to hunt. I like the 95 grain Nosler BT for most things big game and use 60 grain Sierra HP bullets for varmints. Good shot placement trumps most things and the .243 is pretty easy to shoot well.
Stick with 85-100 grain hunting bullets and you'll be fine with what you're wanting to hunt. I like the 95 grain Nosler BT for most things big game and use 60 grain Sierra HP bullets for varmints. Good shot placement trumps most things and the .243 is pretty easy to shoot well.
Any round you assemble with him...
I'd stick with 90-100gr weights, have shot a few red deer with 105gr Amax and even that bullet worked as well as anything.
Good luck!
brokeasajoke
Silver $$ Contributor
Edd
Gold $$ Contributor
Post #2 was good advice.
There are many bullets that will work well but, for your application, a Nosler 85 gr Partition and some H4831 will be as good as it gets.
CaptainMal
Silver $$ Contributor
Kids grow fast. "This Fall" is still months away. Is it possible the kid will grow into accepting and tolerating the 30-30 recoil more by then?
A 130 grain bullet loaded in a 30-30 might be more killing power to 100 yards than needed. If the kid is familiar with the rifle then there may be no need to mess with the 243.
A 130 grain bullet loaded in a 30-30 might be more killing power to 100 yards than needed. If the kid is familiar with the rifle then there may be no need to mess with the 243.
How many whitetails have fallen to simple Core Loks or Winchester SP's? Whitetail are not particularly hard to kill if you are shooting at short range and can put the shot where it needs to go. Pretty much any (non Varmint) hunting bullet is going to work fine at under 100 yards.
OP - a lightweight bolt action that fits him is going to be much easier to shoot than an AR10 due to the weight. I'd get him a compact Savage Axis or Ruger American for an easy fit.
Last edited:
brokeasajoke
Silver $$ Contributor
He can hammer at 100yds with some rifles. Just for some reason he has trouble grouping well with the 30-30 marlin. Maybe it's the fixed 4 power scope.
Davidheart
Joshua - Hunt 12;10
As others have previously mentioned the 100gr Interloks at reduced velocity will work perfectly. The 243 and 30-30 will recoil similarly. Both could be loaded down. At a reduced velocity I prefer a bigger bullet....
I think it'll just boil down to what style rifle he prefers. I like Chevy but my dad likes Ford. Let him decide.
I think it'll just boil down to what style rifle he prefers. I like Chevy but my dad likes Ford. Let him decide.
Mind if i ask if you have a good place to target shoot / practice near by?
In the .243 I am a fan of a 100 grain core lock at moderate velocities. Tough there are a lot of good options. If you have H4895 or even IMR 4895, these would be powders Id start working up loads with for reduced velocities.
Personally my goal would be a load that is attaining near 2750 give or take 75 fps muzzle velocity & settle on an load that shoots the most accurate 3 shot groups.
Once you think you found a satisfactory accurate load Id encourage trying the load out, shooting a series of 5 milk jugs filled with water. The goal is to catch the bullet it the third to 5th water jug, to get an idea of how the bullet is performing in terms of expansion.
Wish you well, be safe & have fun!
In the .243 I am a fan of a 100 grain core lock at moderate velocities. Tough there are a lot of good options. If you have H4895 or even IMR 4895, these would be powders Id start working up loads with for reduced velocities.
Personally my goal would be a load that is attaining near 2750 give or take 75 fps muzzle velocity & settle on an load that shoots the most accurate 3 shot groups.
Once you think you found a satisfactory accurate load Id encourage trying the load out, shooting a series of 5 milk jugs filled with water. The goal is to catch the bullet it the third to 5th water jug, to get an idea of how the bullet is performing in terms of expansion.
Wish you well, be safe & have fun!
Last edited:
brokeasajoke
Silver $$ Contributor
I can shoot 60yds in my yard off my porch.
You're shot distances are different than mine for sure. Though Id really prefer a 100 yard range for practice & load development purposes. If you have the components Id start off having your son load & burning up the light weight ballistic tip bullets just to get some trigger time with the rifle & see which of the 243 rifles fit him best.
By no means would I encourage the light weight ballistic tip bullets on deer. Like mentioned above the risk of a surface splash just is not worth it.
Then move on to the 100 grain bullets & see how they shoot for him. In my mind, 75 yards should be a chip shot with any of your rifle choices. The low recoil of the 243 should make for a great rifle in terms of being friendly on the shooters shoulder & helping keep flinching out of the picture. May go without saying though Don't over look hearing protection when working up loads & practicing either.
By no means would I encourage the light weight ballistic tip bullets on deer. Like mentioned above the risk of a surface splash just is not worth it.
Then move on to the 100 grain bullets & see how they shoot for him. In my mind, 75 yards should be a chip shot with any of your rifle choices. The low recoil of the 243 should make for a great rifle in terms of being friendly on the shooters shoulder & helping keep flinching out of the picture. May go without saying though Don't over look hearing protection when working up loads & practicing either.
Last edited:
The heavier ballistic tip bullets in 6mm like the 95s are not varmint bullets they are strong cup and core hunting bullets, Id rank them as probably in the top 5 hunting bullets for a 243. a 243 shooting a 95gr BT at 2950fps will kill any light skin game on the planet
brokeasajoke
Silver $$ Contributor
I have a box of 95gr Winchester ballistic silver tips factory fodder.
Most definitely. Hearing protection for everything loud so he don't lay awake at night with ringing or setting in the woods when it quiet with the tinnitus like me.
brokeasajoke
Silver $$ Contributor
100gr interlock over some Reloader19 from 1990 loaded by a certain someone in my house which wasn't me. Shot low but after it exited the leg the entrance hole in the chest after it hit the leg was the size of a baseball. @Forum Boss if this violates anything feel free to delete this whole thread. Thanks for all the suggestions. Thanks to the California law maker losers, I edited the pic.
brokeasajoke
Silver $$ Contributor
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.