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What is the best .243 hunting bullet that will stabilize in a 1:10 twist

South Pender

I'm planning to do some loading for my .243 Win. rifle with a 1:10 twist barrel, and am looking for a really good general-purpose hunting bullet that will handle big deer. I'm intrigued by the Nosler 90-gr. Accubond bullet, but don't know whether it would stabilize in the 1:10 twist barrel.

Amy insights on this?
 
I ran the Berger tool and it said their 90 Gr boat tail @ 3000 fps was marginally stable. The partition would stabilize and you'd never have to worry about the bullet doing its job. My nephews have killed a truck load of deer with the 90 Gr Swift Scirocco out of a Remington 700 ADL, 243 but I don't really know what the twist is. Maybe some better input will come shortly :)
 
Probably get a lot of opinions on this one. Many bullets that will do the job. Shoot what’s accurate in your rifle. Take good shots and youll have your deer. Over 20 years of deer hunting w a .243 and ive never seen a deer survive a well placed shot w the 85gr sierra hpbt. 4350/4064 w an 85gr sierra is my lifetime combo. Some will argue. Ive never seen a deer live with a hole through its lungs. Never seen one that didnt like that bullet. Just opinion. One gun one bullet kill everything
 
South Pender said:
I'm planning to do some loading for my .243 Win. rifle with a 1:10 twist barrel, and am looking for a really good general-purpose hunting bullet that will handle big deer. I'm intrigued by the Nosler 90-gr. Accubond bullet, but don't know whether it would stabilize in the 1:10 twist barrel.

Amy insights on this?
Click to expand...
Nosler shows their load data for that bullet in a 243 was developed using a 1:10 twist barrel.
 
Jrjones said:
Probably get a lot of opinions on this one. Many bullets that will do the job. Shoot what’s accurate in your rifle. Take good shots and youll have your deer. Over 20 years of deer hunting w a .243 and ive never seen a deer survive a well placed shot w the 85gr sierra hpbt. 4350/4064 w an 85gr sierra is my lifetime combo. Some will argue. Ive never seen a deer live with a hole through its lungs. Never seen one that didnt like that bullet. Just opinion. One gun one bullet kill everything
Click to expand...
+1^^^^^
The 85gr Sierra HPBT is one of the most inherently accurate bullet that I've ever found for a 243. They have worked flawlessly on deer, feral hogs, coyotes, woodchucks, p-dogs. The only other bullet that I've ever used on deer that came close is the Hornady 95gr SST. Jrjones's post above pretty much covers it. JME. WD
 
The 85 Sierra BTHP is the best general-purpose bullet I have ever tested and used in the field with the 243 Win, 10" twist in over 50+ years of experience with this wonderful cartridge. This bullet will take varmints, predators, and deer the latter with careful shot placement which should be observed with any bullet selection for deer hunting.

Having one bullet / load for all hunting purposes has inherit advantages of getting familiar with the rifle's field capability which will increase confidence which will increase positive field results. It will simplify component inventory and reloading. Load a box and you are ready for any season of hunting adventures. The 243 Win shines as a dual-purpose cartridge especially in the hands of a skilled field marksman.

However, the OP's statement "big deer" gives me pause. I have used this bullet successfully on mountain bucks that normally range in weight under 150 lbs. For hunting strictly "big deer", I would choose a Nosler Partition bullet or better yet a larger caliber like the 308. But if a 243 Win is all you have and you use proper shot placement at reasonable distances, it is capable of filling your freezer even on "big deer."
 
Thanks, guys for some great advice. I can see the appeal of a 90, 95, or 100-gr. bullet, and you've suggested some good ones. I'm encouraged to learn that the Nosler 90-grain Accubond will stabilize in the 10 twist. The Sierra 85-grain HPBT recommendation surprises me a little. First, its hollow-point form seems a little odd for a hunting bullet. Wouldn't it do better with a more pointed tip? Second, its BC is very low (.311) largely because of its hollow point which would seem to limit its range. But perhaps its inherent accuracy makes up for this.

K22, when I mentioned "big deer," I guess I was thinking of some of the mountain mulies we have in B.C. that can go 250 lbs., although most are lighter than that. The other"big deer"species we have here are mountain caribou, and these can go 400 lbs. or more, but I think a .243 Win. is just a little too light for them. I've a .270 Win. and a 7x61 S&H that are more appropriate for caribou.
 
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