.243 Win. questions

[2feathers]

What is the longest shot you would take with a .243 Win.at a deer?
What would be the best bullet?
I am looking at the 100gr. Hornady Interlock or Sierra Gameking for shots in excess of 200 yds., but don't know if the .243 is up to the task of killing a deer at 300 yds.

[TUK101]

A .243 should be up to the task as long as you are. This means that you need to be very comforatable with your gun and know your own limitations. As far as bullets are concerned I dont shoot at those ranges with my .243 so I dont know what to recommend, but the 100gr. should be close. I have heard people recommending the Sierra ones. I do know though that the .243 is more than capable of taking a deer down at 200 yards and even to 300 if the shot is placed correctly. Good luck man.

[James B]

I don't use them for deer but if I did, I would use the Ballistic tip (95 Gr).

[OughtSix]

I have taken whitetails with a .243 out to 250 yards. I would suggest the 95 grain Nosler Partition.

[48thguns]

A 95gr Nos BT has 1089'lbs of energy at 350 yards given a MV of 3050. It is also a laser. No problem out to 350.....beyond, you need alot of practice and better be an expert shot. With factory ammo, I would guess 300 yards is the realistic limit. Regards, Rick.

[2feathers]

Thanks for the responses.
Up till now I have been loading 37gr. of IMR-4064 using the Sierra 85gr. BTHP getting 3000fps. Muz. Vel. It shoots 1/2" groups at 100 yds. I have knocked down deer in their tracks, but the shots were under 100 yds.
I wasn't sure this would be the bullet to use on long shots beyond 250 yds.at deer.
I will work up some loads for the 95gr. BT.
Thanks again.

[DM]

My vote goes to the 95 or 100 Nosler partitions as they will give you more penetration in those less than perfect shots... At least that's been my experience..

DM

[OughtSix]

My vote goes to the 95 or 100 Nosler partitions as they will give you more penetration in those less than perfect shots... At least that's been my experience..

Exactly. I have shot multiple deer with the 95 grain Partition and have yet to see any problems with the bullet performance. In doing penetration tests, I have found that the 95 grain Nosler Partition shot from a .243 will penetrate on a par with 180 grain Remington Corelokt load fired from a 30/06. Standard bullets fired from a .243 have about half the penetration. I have yet to test bonded bullets, but look forward to giving them a whirl.

[nchawkeye]

I have killed about 30 deer with the Federal Premium 85gr HPBT Sierra GameKing...
It is the bullet I use to hunt over our flat fields in eastern NC...I have killed 6-8 out to 350 and 2 at 300...It is a great load for long range in a .243 never had a problem.

[Duckbutter48]

I like the 85grn Nos Parts for my 243Wssm. Think I may try some 95 grn Bt's next though.


With all the posts on 243's, maybe it should have its own forum?