1,000 foot-pounds of energy is considered by many to be the benchmark for deer-sized game,( others say 1200, and given the size of this caliber would lean that way myself). Given that # it would all depend on what kind of bullet you are shooting.
For example an 80gr SPEER HOT-COR SP, falls below 1200 at 200yds
Yet the 85gr Sierra GameKing BTHP, holds that till just passed 300yds
*Federal Ammo Loadings
First is there any particular reason you have to stick with a 80 grain bullet? I like, and won't use less than, 100 grain bullets on deer with a 243. A heavier bullet would retain more downrange energy than the lighter one as well if range is an issue. With a 100 grain bullet I have killed deer out to 300 yards. I agree that a good rule of thumb is the 1000 footpounds of energy level. A 100 grain 243 bullet is still above 1000 at 300 yards. The 80 grain has less than 1000 at that distance.
With the right bullet it's capable of 300 yds easily, but is the man behind the gun ? 300 yds is a long,long way. I've made some 250 yds shots off a good rest. Dont think I would try farther than 300, with any caliber.
P.S. Have you ever tried to find the exact spot a deer was standing when shot from 2 or 300 yds away. I have this problem in one area I hunt here in texas, (brush country) This is the hardest part of recovery, finding the exact spot and sign of blood, and from 2 or 300 yds, its really, really tough. Ive spent hours looking for blood on deer shot from long range because you just cant pinpoint where exactly he was standing, but after finding blood my deer were found very quickly, only 20 to 50yds from there. I shoot a .243 myself and it's all I ever need. Works damn good too.
I wouldn't shoot a deer with a .243 unless I was taking a head shot. If you want to take long shots do it right and get a .300 Winchester Magnum. 500 meter shots are no problem if you have the training and discipline.
I wouldn't shoot a deer with a .243 unless I was taking a head shot. If you want to take long shots do it right and get a .300 Winchester Magnum. 500 meter shots are no problem if you have the training and discipline.
If you wouldn't shoot a deer witha .243, then you'd have no business shooting deer at 500 meters either! With anything!
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Win .243 100gr SuperX Power Point>Energy @ 200yds--1332fp
Energy @ 300yds---1089fp
Like some said, keep it at 200yds and try head and neck shots.
It is still good for 300yds with less energy, but 900FT is close to
40 acres long. Practice hitting an 8" aluminum pie plate @ 900ft and
see how you do before you shoot any deer at 300yds with your .243.
If you use a scope with Duplex Reticle,next time you go to a sporting
goods store and they have a practice life size Archery deer, measure
one from Nose to Tail.Cut yourself a piece of Plywood to those measurements
and set it up to see where the sides of the Plywood touches the darker
post on the Reticles on scope.This will give you and idea of Deer distance
at a broad side.Best thing is to know some Archer that has one and will loan
it to you so you can do it at all angles and yardage using the scope Reticle.
This is with the scope set at it's lowest setting...3-9x44...set at 3.
Let's JUST say the plywood edges touched the dark edges of the Reticle @ 300yds.
If they pass the dark posts about an 1/8" or more @ 300yds, you know it is within your range.
You won't need a ranger finder scope or a hand held ranger finder.
Mount your rifle, look thru the scope and if it is past the dark post, take a deep breath
and squeeze the trigger.
I have one just for me and friends to use for getting an idea with different
scope Reticles.
The smaller the plywood gets,the further the deer will be,
but aleast you will have an idea how far you will be shooting.
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Personally I have used a 243 for many years and I would not hesitate to take a good shot out to 300 yds, given the right conditions. My longest one on a deer is 225 yds. I use 100 grain bullets. I don't know how an 80 grainer would perform.
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Just a regular guy who likes to hunt
.243
