Which bullet?
09-01-2013, 09:04 AM
#1
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 538
Which bullet?
I have a 243 Win that I have been loading both 100 gr Sierra Pro Hunters and 100 gr Speer Grand Slams. Both loads developed are near max, both right at 1 MOA, both shoot to same point of impact. I hunt central Alabama where my shots will be 200 yards or less with most being around a 100. On real world whitetail experience, which bullet would you shoot?
09-01-2013, 11:04 AM
#2
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,425
The Sierras will put them down quicker, the Speers will give more exits...Both will kill...
My only centerfire since 1980 has been a Ruger M-77 in .243...Initially I used 100gr CoreLokts...About 1998 or so, I decided I wanted to try other factory loadings...The GrandSlam and ProHunter were in the bunch I tried...I would say the GrandSlam put deer down as quick or quicker than any bullet I tried...All within 50 yards with lung shots...With the GrandSlams they ran a bit further but none made it 75 yards...
If it were me, I'd use the ProHunters simply because if a deer drops within 50 yards of where it was hit, I'll find it...I also know if I need to drop them a high shoulder shot or low neck shot will do so...
My only centerfire since 1980 has been a Ruger M-77 in .243...Initially I used 100gr CoreLokts...About 1998 or so, I decided I wanted to try other factory loadings...The GrandSlam and ProHunter were in the bunch I tried...I would say the GrandSlam put deer down as quick or quicker than any bullet I tried...All within 50 yards with lung shots...With the GrandSlams they ran a bit further but none made it 75 yards...
If it were me, I'd use the ProHunters simply because if a deer drops within 50 yards of where it was hit, I'll find it...I also know if I need to drop them a high shoulder shot or low neck shot will do so...
09-02-2013, 08:21 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location:
Posts: 2,186
My daughter hunts with me in SE Alabama. I've loaded both the 100 gr. Partition and 100 gr. Grand Slam for her rifle. Both have done fine. With either of these, a well located shot placement has resulted in a relatively easy recovery ---- 100 yards or less. I like these style bullets because they will plow through a shoulder with ease and seldom fragment. She's only made one poor shot placement and we found it with the help of my tracking pooch.
Some folks lament at a deer running that far, but I don't sweat deer being able to make it 100 +/- yards after being well hit. I have double lunged deer with a 200 gr. out of a 300 Win. Mag. and watched them run 50 -75 yards. And like many of us, several times the deer just flop down dead in their tracks. Truth is that a deer in high gear can be moving around 30 mph, and can make it a good ways in the 5-10 seconds that it takes before the blood pressure drops to where it can no longer stay up.
Some folks lament at a deer running that far, but I don't sweat deer being able to make it 100 +/- yards after being well hit. I have double lunged deer with a 200 gr. out of a 300 Win. Mag. and watched them run 50 -75 yards. And like many of us, several times the deer just flop down dead in their tracks. Truth is that a deer in high gear can be moving around 30 mph, and can make it a good ways in the 5-10 seconds that it takes before the blood pressure drops to where it can no longer stay up.
09-05-2013, 02:26 AM
#4
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,425
I guess you were asking the OP but I'll give you my reasons...I bought my Ruger M-77 in .243 in 1980...Since then it is the only center fire I have owned...My brothers have bounced around between 30-06, .270, 7mm-08, .280 and even .300 Mag...
With my .243 I have killed countless groundhogs, coons, crows, beavers, wild dogs, coyotes, etc...I shoot it year round and have killed over 200 deer and even 8 black bears...
So, why not shoot a .243???
09-05-2013, 03:02 AM
#6
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,425
You are gonna find that that .243 drops them just as quickly with lung shots, with less recoil and less mess...When you pull the trigger, the deer never leaves your sight due to the light recoil...
About 5 years ago, I was helping my youngest brother track a deer he had shot with his .270...He said "Why is it that we are always tracking my deer and your's are always laying in the field?"...
About 5 years ago, I was helping my youngest brother track a deer he had shot with his .270...He said "Why is it that we are always tracking my deer and your's are always laying in the field?"...
