Sierra bullets

[Big Bob]

I have a new 243 improved rifle.
Which of the following bullets should be the most accurate and best for deer hunting: Sierra 100gr spitzer boat tail gameking
Sierra 100gr spitzer(flat base)pro-hunter
Sierra 85gr HP boat tail gameking
Barnes Tipped TSX 80gr TTSX BT

I will extremely appreciate any good advice.
It is worth mentioning that accuracy is my thing.

Thanks

 

[mattri]

As you no doubt know, every gun is a different animal so each one will prefer one bullet over another. I've used the 100gr GKs in a regular 243 with a 1:8 Shilen and they were very, very accurate- also were deadly on WY mulies. What twist is your barrel? If it is a slow twist it may not like the longer bullets.

 

[DennisH]

Barnes Tipped TSX 80gr TTSX BT

I have seen what these bullets will do. They would be my choice.

Dennis

In fact, I just bought 200 more for another rifle. Devastating

 

[Big Bob]

I don't know the twist of the rifling.
Thanks.

 

[stacy]

BIG BOB

HERE WHAT I SHOOT IN MY 243IMP 46GRS H-4350 85GR BTHP SIERRA (1530) AND 44.6 GRS H-4350 87GR VLD BERGER LOAD OAL IS 2.230 W/ HORNADY OAL GAUGE I JUST SHOT A .367 5 SHOT GROUP W/THIS LOAD YESTREDAY

 

[357Mag]

Big Bob -

Howdy !

For pure accuracy... the 85BTHP is quite consistent on wt; and has grouped well for me @ 100yd.

Now, the 85BTHP is perhaps not the best choice, for use on deer.
Others have stated there preference, as regards what works on deer.


Regards,
357Mag

 

[mattri]

Twist rate will actually be important information to have.

A basic google search should turn up everything from masking tape to shoe polish.

A 1:8 will NOT shoot the same as a 1:12 so yes it is important to know what you're working with.

 

[WyleWD]

The 85gr HPBT out of a 243 is THE best deer bullet I've ever used (since 1974). I've used several other calibers to harvest deer, and it is by far my favorite bullet / caliber combination. And I've been surprised how many other hunters use this combination. WD

 

[Coleridge]

Twist is definatly going to be important. If it's not at least 1-10 your not going to be able to shoot the 100gr Gameking at all. A 1-12" will only shoot up to ~80 gr bullets but with velocities you should get, it will twist the 85 sierra.

If 1-10 or faster (most would prefer 1-8" to shoot about any bullet offered in .243"), your good to go. I have killed deer with each of the bullets listed except the Barnes (I have shot Barnes in other calibers & don't really care for them). IME all the sierra's you listed are excellent medicine for deer & have found each one very accurate. As said, each rifle is different but if I had to guess which bullet would be most accurate I would say the 85 hpbt. If you do very much looking; you will find it has a very good fan base of deer hunters.

Try all of them & use the one that shoots best (would bet my rifle it won't be the Barnes).

 

[mikegaiz]

I have shot many deer at 400 yds with the 85gr HPBTGK. Also shot prairie dogs out to 1200 yds. it is plenty accurate from both 1-10 and 1-12 twist.

 

[K22]

I've been shooting the 243 since the late 60's and have tried many combinations of powders and bullets. All my rifles have been either 9 1/2 or 10" twists. While I'm a huge fan of the 243 and have shot several deer with it; it would not be my first choice for large white tail deer. However I'll share my experiences with the 243.

I've had my best success with two powders:

IMR 4350 (90 grain and heavier bullets) and IMR 4064 (85 grain and lighter bullets).

With regards to bullets for deer hunting,

The 100 grain Sierra Pro Hunter, a no thrills bullet, is quite effective; even on shoulder shots. I've been able to obtain good hunting accuracy (under 1 moa) with this bullet.

The 90 grain Nosler ballistic tips are more accurate in my rifles but I'd avoid the shoulder shot with this bullet. In the lung area, it's quite effective.

The Sierra 85 BTHP is perhaps the best all around bullet I've ever used in the 243. A deer shot in the vitals with this bullet usually goes down quick. A very accurate bullet in my rifles. Due to powder shortage in my area, I recently tried H4895 with this bullet and obtain some decent groups, in the .6's in a sporter weight hunting rifle. This bullet is also quite effective on varmints and predators which make is a kind of "one size fits all bullet" for the 243.

One other note, all the deer I've shot with the 243 were under 200 yards.

 

[Coleridge]

The 90 grain Nosler ballistic tips are more accurate in my rifles but I'd avoid the shoulder shot with this bullet.

If you want a bit tougher bullet look at the 95gr Nosler BT. It has a very thick shank & was made as a "tough" hunting bullet. It breaks shoulders & keeps going. It's heavy construction works a lot like a partition.

 

[5spd]

All I use in my 243 are the 85g SGKHP bullets. I ran the 80g tsx & ttsx at the range 3 weeks ago and will be using those as well since they are both super accurate to 600 yards in my Savage sporter.

 

[Larryh128]

80 Barnes TTSX all the way. Great bullets.

 

[Big Bob]

Thank you all for the great information.

 

[Rflshootr]

+++ on the sierra 85 bthp

 

[wboggs]

Sierra BTs tend to shed their jackets. Would use the flat base or the Barnes for shots that are not broadside.

 

[rippley916]

80 ttsx. Awesom out of 1-10 twist. Put a Smack down on a Montana mulie last season at 250 yards. Lights out. 100 yard 1/2" groups all da