Actually I hit my doe in the right front shoulder, she was broad-side to me; I couldnt have asked for a better shot.

I have used the Sierra Boat Tail 100 gr Fed Premiums on a few deer. All I will say is I wont be using them again...bullets are very frangible. I wont carry the 243 back out with anything less than a Nosler and its probably not gonna see deer duty again. Too many variables with that round for me.....lthough most report good success with the 100 gr Noslers...so I may load some of those and give it another crack.

My gun [savage] wont shoot the 95 grain winchesters , but loves the 100 grain fedrals . I wont shoot deer with it though , dont think its enough gun for 200 pound animals , I hate tracking at night .

On deer you should use 80gr and up, those 55gr are not intended for deer and shouldn't be used on them. the 95gr should work fine.

Used a 95gr from about 20 yards and broad side too, won't do it again. Can't track w/o blood trail. Couldn't have had a better shot. I was told that these need to be used at 100 yrds or longer. Wish I knew that before the shot. Had better choices with me...

They (95 grain) are moving about 3100 feet per second at the muzzle which is a pretty hot for a deer bullet in a small caliber. If you are hand loading and you know most shots will be within 100 and certainly with 50, load it down a bit to about 2900-2800. Even with it loaded down, I'd keep it strictly CNS or behind the shoulder. the speed of the round is great however, meaning you can if you need to take longer shots. (1000 lbs of energy at 400 yds meets ethics imo) .close it behind the shoulder and watch as the bullet sprays the lungs and heart pulp in every direction, Might as well be sending 6mm grenades.

And by a newbie, as usual

Holy sheet-starter Robin!

my bad. I just got so excited I failed to read dates.