Thread: What's your fav 243 bullet for deer?

What's your favorite bullet in your 243?

I see some use 85g Barnes, others 87g hornadys, others prob refuse to run less than 100g.

What do you use, what's your max range for them.

I've just acquired a nice older wood/blue model 7 that I'll develop a load for and gift to my father. Deer from point blank to 300 yds.



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Sierra 100g Gamekings

400yrds no probs in experienced hands.

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Sierra 100g Gamekings

400yrds no probs in experienced hands.

Agreed, I spent about 15 yrs chasing fallow in the bluies, lost count of the number that went down to the 100gn GK, all inside 100 yds though, lots of big goats on the east coast and the odd Tahr that don't remember meeting a 100 gn GK.

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Sierra 100g Gamekings

400yrds no probs in experienced hands.

Still ok in an 18.5" barrel Andrew? Or do they need a bit more velocity?

Originally Posted by GWH

Still ok in an 18.5" barrel Andrew? Or do they need a bit more velocity?

That's why I dropped back down to the 85 grn Interbond. My barrel is 20" but I can still get them going accurately at 3,270 fps. And the 85 grn GameKing HP match their zero as a cheaper option if I need it.

You would still get 3200 fps with 18.5" barrel and the 85.

(Later: I just saw Andrew's answer. That makes good sense)

Originally Posted by Tahr

That's why I dropped back down to the 85 grn Interbond. My barrel is 20" but I can still get them going accurately at 3,270 fps. And the 85 grn GameKing HP match their zero as a cheaper option if I need it.

You would still get 3200 fps with 18.5" barrel and the 85.

(Later: I just saw Andrew's answer. That makes good sense)

Thanks Bruce, what powder?

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Originally Posted by GWH

Thanks Bruce, what powder?

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Hybrid100V
There seems to be plenty available

Hornady 87 gr HPBT
Used them to 300m
Bought enough to last a lifetime ( hopefully )

85gr partion works for me,

I'm using the 85 grn inter bonds at the moment, and they appear to work well on deer.

Back in the day I used to use the 75 grain X bullet, man they were awesome, going a squillion miles an hour, real flat for general purpose hunting.

The Hornady 87SP were extremely accurate but a bit soft for Red Deer, at the velocity they were going, marvellous for goats

The 85 Sierra Game king was pretty good, a little harder than the 87 Hornady.

Going to try the 85 TTSX shortly will be interesting

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

Back in the day I used to use the 75 grain X bullet, man they were awesome, going a squillion miles an hour, real flat for general purpose hunting.

Now if Barnes bought those back in, they would be a winner in my 6x45 and your 6mm-204. I still search the adds for them, someone must have some laying around somewhere??? please

87gr Hornady SP were it for me in my 243 back in the day.

Originally Posted by Mathias

Now if Barnes bought those back in, they would be a winner in my 6x45 and your 6mm-204. I still search the adds for them, someone must have some laying around somewhere??? please

87gr Hornady SP were it for me in my 243 back in the day.

Got 2 packets. Swap for 85gr Sierra.

Sierra 85g HPBT, devastating...

Originally Posted by Double Shot

Sierra 85g HPBT, devastating...

+1