243 whitetail load

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Zulu

Zulu

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I was given a 243 last year and finally got around to getting some dies the other day. Was wondering if anyone has a pet load that they prefer for deer. I'm a fan of Nosler ballistic tips for hunting, but don't know how well they hold together in smaller calibers -- would accubonds or partitions be worth the money?
Would appreciate any advice to keep me from chasing my tail.
Thanks,
Z
 
I've gotten good accuracy and velocity in my Ruger 243 using IMR4350 powder just under the published max loads. I've had good results on deer with Hornady SSTs (I think 95 grs) but I'm currently using Barnes 85 gr TSX.

My only complaint with the 243 is that the holes in the deer are a bit small and you don't always get a very good blood trail. I'd use a quality bullet to maximize chances of an exit hole. Between the two you mentioned, I'd go Accubond.
 
A 95g Nosler ballistic tip over IMR 3031 works pretty well.

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I shot one last year at just over 300 yds. I used 105gr. Berger Hunting VLD's and Reloader 22 powder. He dropped like a rock and I believe he was dead before his body hit the ground. He never made a move after the shot.
 
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Here you go. And yeah, its a bit long, may not fit if you have a magazine. Go to Shooters Pro Shop and start checking at least every other day, you can pick up 243 bullets half price, all types.

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i've used everything from 60 gr hp to 100 gr corelokt. one thing about the 243 its not picky. shot placement is everything.
 
I had very good luck with the Hornady 100 gr Interlock flat base bullet at 3150 in a 6mm Rem,,if I had a 243 that is the bullet I would start with,,
 
Zulu said:
I was given a 243 last year and finally got around to getting some dies the other day. Was wondering if anyone has a pet load that they prefer for deer. I'm a fan of Nosler ballistic tips for hunting, but don't know how well they hold together in smaller calibers -- would accubonds or partitions be worth the money?
Would appreciate any advice to keep me from chasing my tail.
Thanks,
Z
Click to expand...

What type of rifle...specifically what is the twist?

I have 2 both savages and both 1:9 twist, my wifes will run Hornaday 105AMAX exceptionally well and i know they are considered an Accuracy bullet for puncing hole in paper but they are nasty on deer. Mine is LA Savage with varmint contour barrel and it does not digest them as well....still good to bout 300 but they fall apart after that but it absolutly will fling Nosler 90gr BT Spitzers (purple tip) with 1/4" accuracy if i do my part. lot of folks have had good luck with .243 and were able to work up loads quickly...i found them finicky for the preformance i was seeking...IMR4350 and IMR4985 are my powders of choice.
 
I too like the 100gr partition but can't remember off the top of my head what powder I am loading. I sure would not be scared to try some barnes. ttsx
 
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100 grn Seirra gameking,44.5 grns of IMR 7828. Rifle is a Savage model 11. 5 shots at 100 yards, Have taken at least 25 whitetails with this load from 25 to the longest shot was 326 yards. Some ran but not far most piled up DRT.
 
7mminatree said:
IMAGE_051-1.jpg
100 grn Seirra gameking,44.5 grns of IMR 7828. Rifle is a Savage model 11. 5 shots at 100 yards, Have taken at least 25 whitetails with this load from 25 to the longest shot .was 326 yards. Some ran but not far most piled up DRT.
Click to expand...
Thats a awesome load
 
That has to be a 100 or 105 grain bullet. IMR7828, not the sc, is an absolute killer load for the 243 but in my experience, only with the heavier bullets. And that is indeed great shooting.
 
DaveB said:
That has to be a 100 or 105 grain bullet. IMR7828, not the sc, is an absolute killer load for the 243 but in my experience, only with the heavier bullets. And that is indeed great shooting.
Click to expand...
yes, IMR 7828 long kernal, 100 grain Sierra Gameking and My nephew has killed a couple of good size black bears (250+lbs) with the same load. Both bears ran 30 yards or so and expired. It think it's one of the most potent loads you can have in a 6mm Catridge. I'm pretty lucky with the model 11 being a very accurate rifle, however that particular load works very well in other rifles that I've loaded for. Try it in that charge weight +/- a grain and play with your OAL to find the sweet spot. As with any loads start at 5% lower charge and work up, be safe this is a warm load but not max.
 
In past years I have used 100 gr Hornady Interlock soft point for broad side, quartering toward me and head on chest shots. All were fatal with deer not running more than 40 yards. Shots were from 20 yards to 175 yards.
I have tried the lighter balistic tips from Hornady, Nosler and Sierra. They were deadly but I found no exit hole and bullets did not hold together. My preference is a blood trail from entrance and exit.
Nosler has established a great reputaion with their partition bullets. I don't have experience with them on deer. The reason is that they were not as accurate in my 243s as Hornady.
The most accurate powder for the 100 gr bullets in my testing has been IMR4350 just under max recommendation.
 
I'm a big fan of the 100 gr. Hornady interlocks in my 243 as well. Great penetration, almost always an exit wound, and outstanding terminal performance. They also are super accurate in my Encore.
 
Never recovered a single partition with the 243, always punches through. My Son killed his first buck with it but he INSISTED he use his own hand load, which was a 95 grain ballistic tip. Unfortunately, Mr. Deer showed up at 25 yards and the bullet came apart, badly. Deer ran about 20 yards and died. he was all cut up inside, nearly every organ pulped. We found strips of copper and lead all over.
 

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