Sweetroels

Now that I captured your attention...


I’ve been loading the daughters gun with Hornady 100gr BTSP Interlock’s for deer and they have been performing well. I used the 85 gr. Barnes and they didn’t seem to knock them down as well and create a nice would channel.

She wants to hunt bear next year and I really don’t want to get into that debate whether a 243 is enough. She likes her gun and is a great shot, with a lot of patients. We have enough bear around the 250-300 pound class that she can nail within 100 yards. Her gun is the Ruger compact with a 16.5 inch barrel and a 1:9’’ twist. I’ve been able to achieve around 2900 fps with the Hornady 100gr BTSP Interlock’s so it produces enough velocity.

The question I have, is there premium bullet I can load for this gun that will produce better results for penetration and wound size for bear. I was looking at the following:
1. Speer Grand Slam 100gr
2. Hornady Interbond 85gr
3. Nosler Accubond 90 gr
4. Swift Scirocco II 90gr
5.Your suggestion________
If you have any loads for the above, please share Thanks

Should this thread be on the big game forum?

Her latest achievement attached.

Topgun 3006

You're loading exactly what I reload for my .243 Sako and I wouldn't hesitate to use them for bears that size if she can't move up to a bigger caliber. She might get a litle bit more penetration with their Interbond, but I believe in heavy for caliber bullets and would stay with the 100 she's using.

sdhunter11

A buddy of mine killed a 380 lb bear with 100 gr interlock factory loads at 20 yards. Bear only made it about 75 yards before expiring. I would stick with the load you have and save your money for a nice bear rug lol.

ihookem1

Your bullet is 1860 ft lbs. My son, 15 got a bear with his .270 Win this year, Load was 150 gr Hornady and 53 gr of imr 4350. I think it gives 2600 ft. lbs. The bullet went right through it @ 20 yds and went 20 ft. Bear was 206 gutted. I think a bullet that doesn't expand much will go through it too. Through the front shoulder, blew the heart apart and bullet went out the bottom. I knew several that shot bear with .243 Win. One old man swore by them. He shot a 300 lb. with a 87 Hornady, more of a varmint load. Another guy used .243 Win in British Cloumbia. At 200 yds he shot 2 in the 250 lb range, a moose and a dall sheep. There is no reason it won't work. P.S. I'm looking at the same gun she has for deer.

emtrescue6

I would stick with the heavier bullets in the .243 (90g or higher)...most .243's I have been around (I have a handful and my daughter also has one) are more accurate and perform best with the 100g bullets. With that, I would suggest the 100g Nosler Partition ad probably the best option.

LaneNebraska

Zactly

handloader1

Go with the 100 gr. Nosler Partition, or 90 gr. Swift Scirocco II.

nchawkeye

I've killed 5 with my .243, three were killed with 100gr CoreLokts, one with a 100gr Nosler Partition and one with a 85gr Sierra GameKing BTHP...The latter 2 were from Federal Premium loadings...All worked just fine...

lonewolf5348

I have had good luck using the Barnes TSX 85 gr. my load IMR 4064 36.5 grains
The above bullet drop a huge whitetail out to 150 yards,she took three steps and went down
The bullet still retain 85 grain on the scale

Topgun 3006

I'm using 33 grains of IMR 4064 behind the 100 grain Hornady BTSP and SP with amazing accuracy and it took my 80" antelope in Wyoming this year with no problem and should do the same on a bear with good shot placement. Attached is 9 shots that can almost be covered by a dime.