243 load on deer
 

I bought a A-Bolt in 243 for varmit hunting (coyote) mostly. I am headed to Alabama to hunt deer and I decided to take the 243 along with me. I sighted the rifle in with 100g Winchester power points. I also tried some 100g Grand Slams and they shot the same as the winchesters. The litle rifle realy shoots awsome.

Are the Grand Slams a little much for the small deer in Alabama? Should I stick with the faster expanding Power Points?

Thanks.

RE: 243 load on deer
 

Use the grand slams

RE: 243 load on deer
 

I JUST GOT MY FIRST DEER WITH MY SAVAGE 243

IT WAS GREAT, LEFT A HUGE HOLE, CORELOK 100 GRAIN

RE: 243 load on deer
 

Thanks guys.

I have read a lot of posts from people using the 243. This is what prompted me to take it along. Also, the deer in Alabama are relativly small compared to the deer in southern Michigan. I have used the 30-06 in the past but I think the 243 will do a nice job on those size deer.

RE: 243 load on deer
 

I use Sierra 85gr BTHP for Pa deer and woodchuck hunting...a coyote won't be a problem! All deer I have shot with this bullet seem to just drop in there tracks...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hunt Safe!

Jack

RE: 243 load on deer
 

I use the 85 gr btsp in mine and no problems.Only thing I ever shot twice was a antelope in wyoming.

RE: 243 load on deer
 

I use 100 grain Sierra BTSP for everything from varmints to deer.

RE: 243 load on deer
 

The 100 grainers I use in my Rem .243 have knocked down a lot of Kansas deer. An I also use it for predators also. They're good little guns.
Visit My Hunting Page

RE: 243 load on deer
 

I would take the 30-06. A .243 isn't an ideal deer rifle in my opinion. Don't let southern deer fool you, they might not be as large on average as their northern cousins but there's plenty of big deer down here. I drove through the UP of michigan last year during april and saw over 400 deer in two hours, none that I saw were as large as a good buck down here.

RE: 243 load on deer
 

You speak like the deer down here are the size of coyotes. If you hunt in the right places you may be in for a suprise.

RE: 243 load on deer
 

Sounds like a lot of you people do not realize that in general &quot;Bamma&quot; deer are larger, than here in the Central Eastern states. &quot;BAMMA&quot; has lots of 200+# deer.

As to your bullet choice, take the power points!! The Grand Slams are for heavier game, and will not give you the expansion you need for the deer.......Now for Boar, than take the Grand Slams!!

I got several boxes of Winchester Supremes (.30-.06) at an exceptional price a few years ago, and thought they should be good for deer. Wrong, they are a deep penatration bullet, and do not open well enough in the smaller body of a whitetail. Now for Elk, or large mulies..........................that is what they are designed for.

With good bullet placement your .243 is great in the Winchester PP!

Only an armed nation (state) is a free state! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> The people of a disarmed nation (state) are SUBJECTS, NOT FREE CITIZANS!![<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: 243 load on deer
 

Thanks.

I did not mean to offend anyone in Alabama.

I hunt in the lower part of Alabama near Camden (thats near Selma for you history buffs). I have hunted there for several years now with my Uncle.

In michigan I hunt in the lower portion of Lower Michigan. The Jackson area. The deer in this area survive on corn, soy beans, winter wheat and can get very large. The deer I see in Alabama compared the the ones I see in Michigan just look smaller to me. No offense intended.

I was concerned about my bulet choice in the smaller calibur. My 30-06 is my top choice for deer in Alabama. I always shoot deer in the boiler room. Guess its just the way I was taught years ago. So bullet placement won't be an issue. I just wanted to hunt with my 243.

Thanks again for the input and advise.

RE: 243 load on deer
 

don't trash the .243 its a good round and if u shoot it in the vitals the deer will drop. 100 grain bullets i think are a must though.

_ _ _ _ _
Remember &quot;The 4 G's&quot;
God
Guns
Guitars
Girls

RE: 243 load on deer
 

Would somebody tell those 20+ dead deer from WV that they died quickly from a .222 Savage?

Thanks......

RE: 243 load on deer
 

I have never lost a deer with my savage 243. 243 is an accurate gun the only gun I have that I fill more confident with is my 22-250. I chose to hunt with my 30-06 because of my viseral being, but a 243 is a very good gun, I have shoot deer at 150 to 200 meters easily with no problems.

The grand slams are good bullets, I also like the core-lock. I have my 243 sighted in with my own loads which are juiced and very accurate.

Good Hunting .