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Post by huntmeister on Mar 28, 2012 6:45:38 GMT -5
Looking to load some deer hunting ammo for my Encore Pro Hunter chambered in 243 Winchester. 1 in 10 twist 28" tube.
Currently thinking either Hornady Interlocks or BTSP in 100gr weight or possibly Barnes TTSX in 80gr. but that's not cut in stone.
For me, consistent groups trumps speed but I do want to wring as much speed from it as I can.
What has worked well for you?
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Post by mike3132 on Mar 28, 2012 6:55:31 GMT -5
I believe in the .243 I used 90 grain Noslers and H4350 but this was in a Savage Striker. Of the bullets you list the Barnes would be my choice for hunting. That 80 grain Barnes will perform like a much heavier bullet since it wont break apart on impact. Mike
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Post by muznut on Mar 28, 2012 10:59:43 GMT -5
I have a M70 in 243wssm I use the nosler 90gr and 100gr coreloct I use ACC2700 or H4350 shoots great but never shot a deer with it I tend to grab my bigger guns. ;D
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Post by huntmeister on Mar 28, 2012 11:07:38 GMT -5
I believe in the .243 I used 90 grain Noslers and H4350 but this was in a Savage Striker. Of the bullets you list the Barnes would be my choice for hunting. That 80 grain Barnes will perform like a much heavier bullet since it wont break apart on impact. Mike Do you think complete pass thrus like with the heavier Barnes bullets we use in the SML's is a reasonable expectation in the 243 version Mike? |
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Post by mike3132 on Mar 28, 2012 13:34:46 GMT -5
That depends on which way the bullet enters and what it hits but I would say the Barnes will pass through on most broadside shots. It most likely will break a petal or two off if it hits bone and might end up under the hide on the opposite side. In reality any of the bullets you list would be a good choice for a hunting bullet. I usually pick the one I have the most confidence in. Good luck, Mike
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Post by mrbuck on Mar 28, 2012 14:13:08 GMT -5
The Nosler Partition in 95gr. or 100gr. weight would IMO would be the first choice. Maybe a 95 gr. or 100gr. bonded bullet would be a close second. The deer I have seen shot with a .243 Win. have gone a distance -80yds. plus-with good shot placement. In open Northern hardwoods an 80yd. run is no problem. In NC coastal thickets 80yds. may be a lost deer especially with maybe only one hole and a small one at that.
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Post by wilmsmeyer on Mar 28, 2012 16:59:42 GMT -5
I carried a rifle for the first time in Western New York this year. I used 80 gr Hornady GMX factory loads. Never got a shot.
After seeing 6 deer killed with 55 gr soft points from a .223 this year on broadside shots, it would seem like a tough 80 gr bullet would really step it up a notch from the same angles and probably do well on a tougher angle. The .223 makes a mess of lungs inside of 150 yds...deer do not go far
Next year I will find out! My second choice was a 100 gr Nosler partition.
Seems like a perfect deer cartridge in general to me.
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Post by Savage Shooter on Mar 28, 2012 17:33:48 GMT -5
If top speed and being able to keep max energy to past 300yds is your game......give the 90gr siroccos by swift a hard look......
Been using them several years and give extremely good terminal performance at both close and extended ranges.
The 100 TSX is awesome if you stay in ranges where velocity is still up enough to keep good expansion.
Remington Premier and I think Grizzly are the only ones offering factory loadings. I have had great accuracy from the Remingtons.
Someone will have good load info if you are wanting to roll your own.
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Post by muznut on Mar 29, 2012 9:06:27 GMT -5
I have to correct my statement The Noiseless I use are 95gr ballistic tip but like I said I never shot a deer with one. Most guys in Maine shy away from the .243 with story's like my dad or uncle shot a deer 5 times and it would not bring it down and he said that if he had his 30-30 he would have. I'm not in that camp and there are plenty of guys that use them with success. I think the 243 gets a bad rap from the average dumb a.. that just grabs a box of varmint bullets and try to use it on deer.  |
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Post by muznut on Mar 29, 2012 9:08:59 GMT -5
Dang google spell check I meant Noslers lol.
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Post by huntmeister on Mar 29, 2012 9:52:50 GMT -5
I know what ya meant muznut
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Post by smokepole50 on Mar 29, 2012 17:31:09 GMT -5
Shot placement is about 90% of any good shot and quick kill, just ask any bow hunter. I have had bow kills run less then 30 yards and pile up dead. If I was to go deer hunting with a 243 I would always aim for a double lung shot/ broad side no angle shot. If you make two holes in the deer and turn the lungs into jello your deer won't run over 50 yards and there should be a good blood trail. A regular ole run of the mill Rem. Core-lok will to the deed well if you do your part and hit in the right spot.
Smokepole50
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Post by 153 on Mar 31, 2012 21:04:19 GMT -5
Sierra 85 gr HPBT Gameking over 44 gr of Hodgdon 100V with CCI bench rest primer. 3120fps mv. This is my load using a Tikka T3 Lite. Groups at .5 at 100 yards. Most shots have been pass thru. Seven deer so far with this load. Range 30-185 yards. If I remember correctly five have been DRT and the other two went 50 yards or so. My now nine year old has killed his first six deer with this load as recoil is light. The two I killed were both high shoulder shots that were pass thur. This has been a very consistent load. I don't think of the 30-35 three shot groups with this load and gun none have gone over 1.25".
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Post by huntmeister on Apr 1, 2012 18:09:37 GMT -5
Sierra 85 gr HPBT Gameking over 44 gr of Hodgdon with CCI bench rest primer. 3120fps mv. This is my load using a Tikka T3 Lite. Groups at .5 at 100 yards. Most shots have been pass thru. Seven deer so far with this load. Range 30-185 yards. If I remember correctly five have been DRT and the other two went 50 yards or so. My now nine year old has killed his first six deer with this load as recoil is light. The two I killed were both high shoulder shots that were pass thur. This has been a very consistent load. I don't think of the 30-35 three shot groups with this load and gun none have gone over 1.25". Sounds like a great setup! The powder is called just Hogdon? |
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Post by muznut on Apr 3, 2012 9:14:13 GMT -5
No you need to make sure you have the right burn rate different types of Hogdon like varget and H4350 n such.
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Post by huntmeister on Apr 3, 2012 12:55:57 GMT -5
No you need to make sure you have the right burn rate different types of Hogdon like varget and H4350 n such. Ya I get that...I was hoping 153 would see this and confirm which Hogdon powder he was referring to. |
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Post by muznut on Apr 3, 2012 15:04:01 GMT -5
Sorry just trying to help.
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Post by mrbuck on Apr 3, 2012 15:14:40 GMT -5
44.0grs. of Hogdon (?) MIGHT be H4350 with an 85gr. HPBT. Reloading should never involve guesswork. Never.
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Post by huntmeister on Apr 3, 2012 19:17:15 GMT -5
44.0grs. of Hogdon (?) MIGHT be H4350 with an 85gr. HPBT. Reloading should never involve guesswork. Never. Agreed! Never guess with powder charges. |
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Post by spoonover on Apr 3, 2012 19:41:33 GMT -5
www.gsgroup.co.za/243075HV046.htmlI have used GS bullets in the past, Barnes improved their design so I went with USA made and do not have to wait weeks for orders. If you read most of his hype for tough African game, smaller bores and light bullets (faster the better) seem to do fine with less meat damage. Most of the readers on this forum know first hand what these type bullets will do for penetration and accuracy. I think a Barnes light and fast would be my pick if I had to use a 243 Winchester, keeping the range well under 300 yards.
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Post by 153 on Apr 7, 2012 10:20:03 GMT -5
No you need to make sure you have the right burn rate different types of Hogdon like varget and H4350 n such. Ya I get that...I was hoping 153 would see this and confirm which Hogdon powder he was referring to. Sorry guys don't check this board to often. It was 44gr of Hodgdon 100V. I also ran loads with the H4350 with almost the same results just maybe a 1/4" larger groups and slightly faster, maybe 30fps or so. I was just going to use up the 100V first because it does not shoot well in my 270. I think the load for the H4350 was 40gr. |
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Post by huntmeister on Apr 8, 2012 8:12:32 GMT -5
Ya I get that...I was hoping 153 would see this and confirm which Hogdon powder he was referring to. Sorry guys don't check this board to often. It was 44gr of Hodgdon 100V. I also ran loads with the H4350 with almost the same results just maybe a 1/4" larger groups and slightly faster, maybe 30fps or so. I was just going to use up the 100V first because it does not shoot well in my 270. I think the load for the H4350 was 40gr. Thanks 153! |
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Post by dannoboone on Apr 8, 2012 21:23:41 GMT -5
Most .243 barrels have a 1:9 twist, rather than your 1:10. So many of these recommendations may be mute with your barrel. It may not stabilize the longer, heavier bullets that the 1:9 would. Ninety grains may very well be the limit. |
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Post by 153 on Apr 9, 2012 6:42:33 GMT -5
Sorry guys don't check this board to often. It was 44gr of Hodgdon 100V. I also ran loads with the H4350 with almost the same results just maybe a 1/4" larger groups and slightly faster, maybe 30fps or so. I was just going to use up the 100V first because it does not shoot well in my 270. I think the load for the H4350 was 40gr. Thanks 153! huntmeister I went back to my notes and it was 44.5 grs of H4350 and MV was 3200fps. All these loads were out of a Tikka 243 SS with the stock barrel which is 22-3/8". The twist rate in this barrel is 1 in 10. |
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Post by huntmeister on Apr 9, 2012 11:31:35 GMT -5
huntmeister I went back to my notes and it was 44.5 grs of H4350 and MV was 3200fps. All these loads were out of a Tikka 243 SS with the stock barrel which is 22-3/8". The twist rate in this barrel is 1 in 10. Thanks so much for double checking 153! |
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Post by deadeer on Aug 26, 2012 21:08:36 GMT -5
Any pet loads with Varget and the 85gr Sierra HPBT? I have a large quantity of Varget and want to keep using it.
Thanks, Jay
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