243 Sierra 85 gr. HPBT for deer

pcgodMA · 03-22-2007, 06:01 PM

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and decided to jump right in with a question.... How does the Sierra 85gr HPBT work on deer?

Can someone with actual field experience with these bullets comment? Please let me know the animal taken and how the bullet performed. I guess I really wonder if the bullet will blow on a riband whethera shoulder shot would be a bad idea or even out of the question.

I called Sierra and the gentleman actually said it was a great choice for deer. From what I have gleened from other sources the decision is split.

halcon · 03-22-2007, 08:58 PM

I've used them for years with no problemson deer. I now use the 85 gr Barnes TSX bullet and personallyI like them even more than the Sierra's .

herman · 03-23-2007, 04:39 AM

I f useing the 243 that and the 87 hornadyBTHP is what I use on deer,have taken deer 300 yds+ with both.Let a buddy use the 243 with 85 gr sierra's this past year and he dropped his first long distant deer at 270 yds.Shot just behind the shoulder complete pass through,went about 30 yds pilled up.Let one brother use it the year before and he dropped 3 or 4 with the same load.

pcgodMA · 03-23-2007, 05:35 AM

Good info Herman. Thanks

Honestly I have thought about the TSX bullet. They are very pricey. I guess my concern with the Sierra is in a less than ideal situation where an angle or anchoring shoulder shot is required. I really don't know if the bullet can punch through.

Halcon, What load are you using? (powder and amount)

PaJack · 03-23-2007, 09:31 AM

I have killed more deer with the Sierra 85gr. BTHP over the years than any other other bullet,broadside-lung shots do an execelent job,99% just drop in there tracks...

halcon · 03-23-2007, 07:53 PM

I'm currently using 44.5 gr of RL 19 and average 3200 fps with a 85 gr TSX bullet . It's not a hot load and works well in all of my guns.Since I started using Barnes bullets I have never found a bullet in any of the deer or antelope I've shot , all have been complete pass throughs .Very littleblood shot meat even when hitting heavy bone .

James B · 03-23-2007, 08:44 PM

The Sierra 85, the Nosler 95 and the TXS should all work fine. I don't use the caliber but my hunting buddy uses the 95 Nosler BT.

herman · 03-24-2007, 04:55 AM

I have tried the tsx in other calibers but here were I hunt is only deer so there is really no need for them.I used them once on a out of state wild boar hunt and they worked fine out of a 270wsm,shot a 185 lb boar in the throat at 150 yds.
I haven't even hunted with my 243 in years because I have a lot of different calibers and like to try something different every time I go,last year I used a 25/06,308,708,sav muzzleloader to take deer here,and even got one with a bow.
Below is the load I use in the 243,I only get 3192 fps,it has a 22 in barrel.I like showing this target,it is the best I have gotten with the 243,have gotten some close but not this close

.Think its the shooters fault tho.

jason miller · 03-24-2007, 10:14 AM

Hornady just came out with an 85 grain interbond bullet. They're also going to be producing a new light magnum load with this bullet. Ballistics aren't up on the website yet, it just says coming soon. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they'll do.

nchawkeye · 03-26-2007, 08:47 AM

I have killed about 30 with the Federal Premium loading and the Sierra 85gr HPBT...
I didn't believe this was a deer round either when I was told about, but it is...I have killed deer as close as 20 steps out to about 250 with, both high shoulder shots and center lung shots. Expect full penetration with an exit on lung shot deer past 50 yards or so and you will usually find the bullet under the hide on the off side with high shoulder shots...With high shoulder shots they drop, with center lung shots I don't believe I have ever had one run more than 60 yards.