243: 95 gr BST or 100 gr SP

ths78 · 03-23-2004, 06:55 AM

I've decided to get a 243 for deer up to 200 lbs. Since this is a small caliber, I'm looking for the bullet that will do the most damage and give the best blood trail, for a quicker death.

Should I use 95 gr. Ballistic Silver Tips or 100 gr Soft Points for this?

Thanks, ths78

diyj98 · 03-23-2004, 07:20 AM

I think either would work fine. I'd use the one that gave the best accuracy.

Mykey · 03-23-2004, 08:43 AM

Any soft point will do an excellent job on deer from a 243 if you do your part and put it in the vitals. My personal favorites would be the Speer 105grn Hot-cor Spitzer or the 100grn Nosler Partition. Good luck.

Tree climber · 03-23-2004, 06:03 PM

my wife use's the Winchester 100 grain PSP. they are great.

I use the Winchester 80 grain PSP.never had a problem with them.

halcon · 03-23-2004, 11:46 PM

Myself I prefer the 85 gr Barnes XLC BT or the XBT . I have used this round on quite a few deer and so far I have never had to track one . I have also tried jacketed bullets but most of them don't hold together .

DM · 03-24-2004, 09:59 AM

I've shot a lot of deer with a .243, and .240 wby mag., and i saw a HUGE improvement when i started useing 100 grain Nosler partition bullets. Personally i think the 6mm's are a bit light for deer, but the Nosler Partitions really help the cal. out!

Drilling Man

bronko22000 · 03-24-2004, 06:37 PM

I've harvested a bunch of deer with the little 243 using Hornady 100 gr SP in front of 40.5 gr of IMR4350. I never shot the 95 gr bullets but we're only talking 5 grs here and if it is a well constructed bullet, I don't think you will notice much of a difference and neither will the deer.