RE: 243 and deer
 

Figure out which load gives the most kinetic energy and compare it to your other rifles. The formula for kinetic energy is: velocity squared X weight divided by 450395. You can do the same for your other rifle calibers, then compare them.:)

RE: 243 and deer
 

Aliston...The Federal Premium 85gr HPBT is definately a deer load...I didn't believe it when I was told about it, but after killing about 25 deer with it I can attest that it actually gives more pass throughs than the Winchester PowerPoints and the Federal Premium 100gr Sierra GameKing SPBT....I used to sight it in 2 1/2 high at 100 and in my rifle and it would be about 3 inches low at 300 yards...I would use this bullet when hunting over soybeans in eastern NC where shots could be out to 300 yards....I even killed 6 or so deer with this bullet inside of 50 yards....I have 3 buddies that have converted from '06s to the .243 (all happen to have Remington 700s) and this bullet groups exceptionally well in their rifles...I switched back to CoreLokts earlier this year when I discovered that I have a couple of lots in the Federal loading that my rifle didn't give good groups with...After the season is over this year I'll go back to this bullet and try to tweek my rifle to see if I can get it to group these as well as it used to....

RE: 243 and deer
 

When DH was working up a load for me, he talked to a Sierra rep who highly recommended the Sierra 85 gr HPBT. Said it was all he ever used to kill deer. And this coming from a man who could have his choice of bullets. I can't wait to try it out on a deer this Saturday.

Terri S.

RE: 243 and deer
 

Used a .243 for 5 seasons in Kentucky. The .243 will do the job very well if the shot placement is right and if your shooting 150yds and in. I'd look at a 30-06 or .270

RE: 243 and deer
 

A .243 aint no joke...Thats what i use and i've been usin it for about 6 yrs...and its just a Savage .243...I had a .300 mag and still chose the .243 over it...the thing i found out...or at least for myself is that the higher caliber guns dont have much KE(kenetic energy) especially at close range, they just blow right through the deer...or at least it seems like it..with my gun 13 does, and 6 bucks have went down from were they stood to no more than 45yds(<--gut shot)...including a 2 stepper from 179yds..so i say hell yea to a .243...you get a hell ofa punch w/o all the recoil..

only thing...long shots over 200 yds maybe a lil different..

RE: 243 and deer
 

243 is not my first choice for a deer caliber, but I have killed several with it over the years. I would stick to your 270 or 30-30.

RE: 243 and deer
 

I like the 243 for deer about the same as I like the 223 for deer. It ain't no 270 thats for sure.

RE: 243 and deer
 

I have to defend the 243. It ain't no 270(which I have never shot), but ain't a whitetail been sired that will take the full brunt of a 243.

Seems a lot of people want to make this complicated. I 've loaded a bit, but the REM 100 core lokt is about perfect

RE: 243 and deer
 

.243 is a great cartridge... I just dropped this 225 pound beast with my Kimberin .243...

RE: 243 and deer
 

I finnally was given the gun. A remington 7400 semi auto. I plan on shooting deer in the boiler room, not the neck and head. Is it still a good gun