Good Hunting Load for Rem 700 in 243?

[South Paw Sammy]

As the title says I'm looking for some hunting loads for the 243. I will be having shoulder surgery next month and don't know if I'll be able to use my go to 7mag this year or not. I have a couple of 243s but everything i have loaded for them has been for varmints (coyotes) with 55 to 70 grain varmint type bullets. So, I figured I'd ask here and see what some of yall that use the 243 all the time are using for deer hunting.
The rifle is a Rem 700 VLS 26" barrel, and the twist is (I'm pretty sure) 9 1/4.

Thanks
Sam.

 

[WyleWD]

Sierra 85gr HPBT if you have em or can find them, or 95gr Hornady SST's work just fine on deer. Win. 760, H4350, or AA2700 for powder. JME. WD

 

[K22]

Been shooting this fine old caliber since the mid 60's, first with factory ammo then in the late 60's with reloads.

I've tried a bunch of bullets but if you want a multi-purpose bullet that you can use for varmints, predators and white tail deer, the Sierra 85 BTHP is the one. It shoots like a match bullet and has excellent terminal performance. Powders such as IMR 4064, Varget, and IMR 4350 perform exceptional well with this bullet in my experience.

On deer, as with any caliber, shot placement is critical. If you wait for a broadside shot, slightly behind the shoulder, the 85 BTHP will drop them where they stand or at worst, they'll run a few yards and pile up. Never lost a deer to this great bullet.

Other bullets I've used that work well are the Sierra 100 grain Pro Hunter, Nosler 90 BT. Again, same powder as the 85 BTHP. For deer, it's all about shot placement. Because of supply shortages, I wouldn't hesitate to use any bullet designed for big game in this caliber. In other words, I wouldn't anguish over the bullet as long as it is designed for deer size game.

Unless your shot opportunities are beyond 250 yards, I think you'll dump the 7mm magnum once you start using the 243 Win.  Your shoulder will thank you. Also, don't be surprised if you shoot the 243 better than the magnum.

 

[MikeT49]

The Sierra 85 HPBT is hard to beat, but hard to find. For deer, look at the 85 grain Nosler Partition. Not too fussy about powder. Currently on sale at Natchez. Edit to add: Work great on big whitetails. I run them in my 243 BAR I was recently gifted. 3 deer shot behind front shoulder, 2 dropped in their tracks, one was bookin' it when I shot him. Hit a little far back, went about 40 yards and piled up. They shoot sub MOA at 200 yards in my BAR.

 

[akajun]

Nosler makes a 85 gr partition which is incredible
As kids my brother and I dropped lots of bucks out to 300 yds with Winchester 80 gr psp bullets

 

[Savagenut71]

85 sierra gameking , imr 4064

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Blue collar has the Berger 95 classic hunters in stock, Speer 85 sp also.

 

[snert]

80 grain TTSX barnes.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Sierra 100gr TGK.

 

[Bill Norris]

95 GR. NOSLER B T OR 90 GR. NOSLER A B POWDER 44.0 GR. RL-19 PRIMER CCI BR-2 always worked good for me. Work up from a lower charge in your rifle.

 

[30378]

Nosler 90gr Ballistic Tips with 37.0gr IMR-4064, CCI-200, 2.710" OAL. Lapua brass.

 

[J_idaho]

My son has a 243 it has a 9 1/4 twist.
I found best combo was
41.2gr h4350 95gr berger classic .018 off lands fed 210 primers “cheap”2830fps 20” barrel .003 neck tension and turned necks.
It wouldn’t shoot anything heavier very well and I couldn’t get vlds at mag length to work as good.

 

[McStocks]

87 grain Berger VLD Hunting at 350 yards. We've got 'em in stock!
steve@mcgeestocks.com

 

[J_idaho]

View attachment 1526111

87 grain Berger VLD Hunting at 350 yards. We've got 'em in stock!
steve@mcgeestocks.com

That gun weighs more than she does. My wife made my little girl into a girly girl she only went twice.

 

[South Paw Sammy]

Thanks for all the information yall, I found some 95 Nosler BTs in a box and some 87 Berger VLD Hunters behind my 105s. going to give those two a try this weekend and see how they do.

Thank yall

Sam.

 

[CJ6]

Sierra 100gr TGK.

^^^^^ This with 46.5 grs of VV-165 Fed 210s