.243 and Whitetail

[novice870]

My son will be shooting a .243 for whitetail this year. I currently have him shooting 100grain bullets...my question is, is that adequate weight for hunting whitetail? I totally understand that shot placement is paramount, but I am just wondering if more weight is required for an ethical kill?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Matt

[92xj]

You can only determine your ethics, not anyone of us.
I believe its plenty of bullet to hunt deer.
Deer have been killed with 22s for many many years.
Hit where you are aiming and aim in the right spot and you/he will kill deer every shot.

If you continue to question this load, switch.  The bullet is fine, but your questioning will now be a mental thing in the field and your mind will be on the bullet and it doing its job and not shot placement.  Hunt with something you will not question or think twice about.

[Huntbear]

I am shooting a .243 WSSM this year, using 95 gr. Ballistic tips.  If he knows where to place the bullet, and knows his limitations, he will do fine.

In other words, do not try to bust a shoulder to get through to the vitals.  He will have to wait till the leg is forward on a broadside shot.    IF he is taking nothing but headshots, good to go....

[novice870]

Thank you both! This is his second year hunting and I am really impressed with his improvement in terms of shooting from last year to this year. I will keep those thougts in mind when we head to the field! Thanks again!

[Dan-o]

243 is way plenty for whitetail.

Any round in that neighborhood (with the obvious exception of the 257 Roberts)     is fine.

[brokenvet]

If you reload I would suggest that you try Barnes 85 grain TTSX.  That is what I am using this year.

[packmule]

The .243 is an excellent deer caliber.  I've used 100 grain Partitions, 100 grain Hornady spire points, and 85 grain TSXs with great luck.  Best of luck to your son this fall.

[Huntbear]

243 is way plenty for whitetail.

Any round in that neighborhood (with the obvious exception of the 257 Roberts)     is fine.

That is because the .257 Roberts is actually an Elk and Bear gun for THOSE OF US who know how to shoot.. unlike others like.. cough cough DAN-O cough cough.... that obviously have to make up for a shortage of something by using SUPER MAGNUM rifles on Mice, and chipmunks.....   

[HighCountryHunter88]

It works great! every deer ive killed has been with a 6mm rem or a 243 85-100 grain bullets all clean kills! last year i shot a large body muledeer with 100 grain corloks it took 2 steps and went down

[blacktailcody]

I know its a blackie but I shot my first deer with a 243 and it turned the lungs into jelly before poppin out the other side. I was shooting a 95Gr Nosler partition.

[dscubame]

Barnes Vortex .243 80 grain ttsx here.  Bought this gun this year, one bear down this season next a doe with my 11 year old daughter.

[TheFewTheProud]

My first deer was a decent sized blacktail. My .243 did just fine.

[C-Money]

100 grain bullet from a 243 has killed a crap ton of deer. My wife's uncle ended up needing to hunt elk with his wife's 243 due to an issue with his .270win. He killed a 360'' bull, one shot in the engine room and he watched him fall over dead. I think you will be happy with the wound channel in the chest of the deer your kid shoots. Good luck, happy hunting!

[TheFewTheProud]

Those little bullets go in and bounce around creating a lot of damage.

[Caseyd]

Im hunting with a 243 this year for the fun of it