.243 for deer

[lokidog]

My wife might be using a .243 for deer this year if she doesn't get her deer with the bow or muzzleloader.  Any recommendations for bullet weight?  Might try for mulies or WT.  Are 95 grains a good compromise between speed and weight?  Do boat tails make a difference?

Thanks for any info.

[norsepeak]

I've been using the 80 grainers in my 243 for about 20 years and had good luck with them.  Killed 8-10 with the 243, no problems.

[BULLBLASTER]

i shoot 95 grain nosler ballistic tips from mine!!! they work great. the person i got the load from used to take lots of elk with them. that is what my GF is using this year, with me and the big 7 for back up incase she "shoots it wrong" as she says!

[270Shooter]

A boat tail will help the bullet's down range velocity and energy. I would use a controlled expansion bullet too.

[Tony 270WSM]

i shoot 95 grain nosler ballistic tips... the person i got the load from used to take lots of elk with them...

He would use 95gr ballistic tips from a 243 for elk???

[257 Wby Mag]

It really doesn't matter. I saw quite a few bucks killed with my 243 last year, by both youths, neighbors, and old ladys, all useing Federal 100 grain soft points. Bout anything that your 243 will shoot, will kill bucks, and fast!! 55 grain ballistic tips work awesome too. Yes, its legal.....

[C-Money]

My wife shoots 100gr Hornady interlock hand loads. They drop in their tracks!

[Mookie]

Never shot any with mine, yet, but the person I bought it from hunted with it for years, his dad hunted with it since new in the early 70's. Both used 75 grain WWB, they never had any problems getting their deer, legally or not.

I switched to HSM 100 grain boat tail soft point. I am a big believer in heavier is better, especially when they shoot as good as they do.

[Clipboard guy]

I've seen 6 different deer go down with the .243 and a 100 grain Hornady spire point. Deadly accurate and all single shot kills.  My only complaint is that the .243 leaves a very small entrance hole.  So if the bullet doesn't get a complete pass through, tracking can be super challenging.  My daughters deer only went 45 yards from where it was hit, but in the heavy timber it still took us a better part of an hour to find it. Not one blood spot was every found.  She found the deer by nearly stepping on it. The deer was slightly quartering away and her shot placement was right behind the near shoulder and I found the bullet just under the skin on the opposite side. It certainly did the job, but not having any blood to trail can make you start second guessing whether it was a good hit or not.

[PA BEN]

My wife and 4 daughters have killed a lot of whitetails with 100 gr REM. Core Locks. I started my kids when they were 8 yrs old. Kid's can shoot does, we got 6 to 7 a year. Depending if one of us got drawn for extra doe tag.

[Bofire]

I shoot the blue box federals in my 243 80 grain, a few years ago I went to CF found a fork -in-horn laying down looking at me its butt straight behind its head about 200 yards. I got a good rest and planted the hairs on the end of his nose, touched her off and that deer flipped right straight over back wards, feet in the air and did not move. I shoot alot of coyotes with this load also, $15.99 per box.
 I was standing beside a lady with a 243 hunting elk, a spike is going by at about 80 yards, she hit it twice in the shoulder and did not knock it down, I hit it behind the shoulder with my 30-30 170 grain. I hit it again and it went down.

My point is when using a marginal cartridge place your shot, with a bigger gun her shots would have been good, and limit your range.
Carl

[DOUBLELUNG]

I've seen 6 different deer go down with the .243 and a 100 grain Hornady spire point. Deadly accurate and all single shot kills.  My only complaint is that the .243 leaves a very small entrance hole.  So if the bullet doesn't get a complete pass through, tracking can be super challenging.  My daughters deer only went 45 yards from where it was hit, but in the heavy timber it still took us a better part of an hour to find it. Not one blood spot was every found.  She found the deer by nearly stepping on it. The deer was slightly quartering away and her shot placement was right behind the near shoulder and I found the bullet just under the skin on the opposite side. It certainly did the job, but not having any blood to trail can make you start second guessing whether it was a good hit or not.

Sums up my thoughts to a T.  Super open country big game round out to 300 yards, but a bit scary in heavy cover for the exact reasons stated above.  I've killed 20+ pronghorn and a few deer with my .243, don't expect a lot of blood - if any.

[huntnphool]

These were taken with a Ruger .243 100gr. Nosler Partition, she won't have a problem.

[huntnphool]

These two as well.

[bobcat]

a few years ago I went to CF found a fork -in-horn

What?  A fork-in-horn?  You must be from Oregon?       

[huntnphool]

a few years ago I went to CF found a fork -in-horn

You must be from Oregon?

 

[Emptyhanded]

Both me and my grandpa shoot 243's for deer i shot my 5 point with a 85 grain partition. I shot it in the neck so it dropped right there but the exit was pretty goods sized. Last year my grandpa shot a doe with a 85 grain nosler solid base behind the shoulder and the bullet didnt expand so there was no blood. this made it kinda hard to track but it got the job done. The 85's have shot really well out of our guns so thats what we use. 

[Bofire]

Yup Born in Glennwood Or.
Web feet and all
Carl

[TeacherMan]

I have shot, 50, 85, 100, and 105 grain out of my 243. The 50 where coyote loads, I would say in terms of deer and small black bears I have had great luck, drop dead in there track luck with the 100 grain loads.

[Huntbear]

I agree that a .243 is a great open country deer round.  However, is heavy wetside cover, I want something a bit bigger, and a heavier bullet.  A 7mm-08 shooting 140 gr. bullets will do anything you need done on a deer out to 300 yards.  Recoil is still quite manageable and it comes in a lightweight youth/ladies rifle.

[Tony 270WSM]

Huntnphool, those are some great bucks!

[huntnphool]

Huntnphool, those are some great bucks!

WF70 calls his .243 "the pea shooter" that gun has dropped countless deer, elk and even a couple moose. Its a tack driver and although as loud as my 7mm, it has no kick making it great for kids and women.

[EastWaViking]

speaking of moose, I heard that some Eskimos use  a .223 on them?

[lokidog]

Thanks all.  We will try out what we've got, 100's, and see how they shoot.  If she uses the .243 it will be on the eastside as she has her Mossberg 500 for the islands, or her muzzleloader.

All of the feedback makes me feel better about the small caliber as I know she will super conscientiously pick her shot.