So after all the input I decided on the Savage .243 for my boy for his first rifle, with the Nikon bullet drop reticle. Very happy with the choice. Can't wait to get out with it and him.

Now for the ammo. I am looking for a round that is good enough to knock down a deer or antelope for now. Elk comes later.

What grain/manufacturer would you go with? He shoots his 20 gauge with no problems, and will be in January, if that helps. He is kind of skinny, but tall.

Thanks!

If you reload I prefer the 100gr Nosler Partition and the 100gr Sierra Game King. If not Checkout double taps ammunition. I believe they load a bullet in a 100gr partition but it is probably expensive.

Partitions are not a good bullet in the 243 for thin skin deer. Try rem corelocks.

I've killed at least 200 deer with my .243, tried just about every factory loading out there...I keep coming back to the 100gr Remington CoreLokt...

If his gun groups them well, it's all he needs...

Also might want to try hornday sst bullets love them. They make them in loaded ammo as while. But cost more then plain remington core locks. The sst is 95 grain.

+1

That's what I use too .......... one shot, one kill !

I've used Core-Lokts for years as well. They've always done just fine on deer and pronghorn.

Great choice.

The only rifle I have that don't shot the rem corelocks is my 243. I worked up a load with 95 grain nosler ballistic tips. But the hornady sst shot great also. The
Hornady sst is what I use in my 6mm for ground hogs to deer.

Why?????????????