243 reloads for white tail deer.
#11
Spike
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sandbox
Posts: 3
I've only shot a few deer with this load but numerous coyotes and it has worked great for me.
I prefer NABs for my 270wsm/300winny and if I used this rifle for deer on a regular basis, I'd use them too.
85gn Sierra Gameking
H4350
3380fps
SD 24
I developed this load using a ladder test and I caution anyone from using anyone elses data. Seat depth, chamber dimensions, and other factors contribute to chamber pressures.
I prefer NABs for my 270wsm/300winny and if I used this rifle for deer on a regular basis, I'd use them too.
85gn Sierra Gameking
H4350
3380fps
SD 24
I developed this load using a ladder test and I caution anyone from using anyone elses data. Seat depth, chamber dimensions, and other factors contribute to chamber pressures.
#12
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Western Nebraska
Posts: 3,393
IMO you started with the best bullet you can use.....stay with it...it's as good as it gets for whitetails!
#13
Spike
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 80
I shoot 85 gr Sierra HPBT over 44gr of 100V(3170 fps) or 45.5 gr of H4350(3210fps) with CCI Benchrest primers in Winchester Brass. Both of these loads shoot 1/2MOA in my Tikka and MOA in my brothers 742. Five deer were shot last year with this load and all five were DRT. Little recoil, very accurate and great terminal performance(all pass throughs). Deer weight was 50-140 pounds.
#14
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: WY
Posts: 2,056
JMO, but the .243 with even the lowly CoreLokt or PowerPoint is THE ticket for whitetail and pronghorns. I've had more animals drop in their tracks using the .243 than any other caliber.
My personal favorite is the 100 gr Hornady BTSP over 42.5 grains of H4350, yields just under 3000 fps, prints around .875" at 100 yards. Backed down to 41.8 grains, I can make a ragged hole with a Remington 600, and about .5" with a Ruger No. 1-B. Haven't put that one on the chrono yet, but I expect it to come in somewhere around 2875. Might just be my own experience, but the .243 does seem to be a bit more sensitive to case prep than the .223s and .30-06s I also reload for.
My personal favorite is the 100 gr Hornady BTSP over 42.5 grains of H4350, yields just under 3000 fps, prints around .875" at 100 yards. Backed down to 41.8 grains, I can make a ragged hole with a Remington 600, and about .5" with a Ruger No. 1-B. Haven't put that one on the chrono yet, but I expect it to come in somewhere around 2875. Might just be my own experience, but the .243 does seem to be a bit more sensitive to case prep than the .223s and .30-06s I also reload for.
#19
Have you ever wondered if folks should post.."Hey what bullets dont work well in a 243 for Whitetails?" I been reading these posts for years here on bullets out of 243's and have pretty much seen everything made from 80-100 grns listed as very accurate and kills quite well.
I use a 85grn Nosler Part. out of my 243 WSSM and have had good luck and it shoots very accurate. I use 90grn Nos BT out of my 6mm and have been happy with the performance. I am low on WSSM rounds for this year and think I am changing to a different load, looking for something less expensive. Im not sure Ill find a bad bullet from 80 to 100grn so I am leaning towards cheaper for a change. Almost $30 for 50 bullets with the Partitions is a bit high.
Bud has used 80grn Sierra Blitz out of his for a long time now and has always had good luck.
I use a 85grn Nosler Part. out of my 243 WSSM and have had good luck and it shoots very accurate. I use 90grn Nos BT out of my 6mm and have been happy with the performance. I am low on WSSM rounds for this year and think I am changing to a different load, looking for something less expensive. Im not sure Ill find a bad bullet from 80 to 100grn so I am leaning towards cheaper for a change. Almost $30 for 50 bullets with the Partitions is a bit high.
Bud has used 80grn Sierra Blitz out of his for a long time now and has always had good luck.