Thread: .243 uses

Have shot the .243 Win for almost 40 yrs.

What I found time and time again is that after dicking around experimenting, I always come back to a flat base 100gr softpoint. Sierra ProHunter these days. At 2850-3000fps, it’s a very effective bullet on medium game. Just make sure you put it into the front half of the chest cavity.

The other candidate is the 85gr Sierra HPBT GameKing. I’ve had that really flying at above book max loads and come to seriously respect how it flattens smaller deer.

I decided recently that my ongoing 6mm fascination needed a different twist, so now I’ve got a 6mm Creedmoor. Amazing what a 7.5” of twist can do for a calibre...

Originally Posted by Flyblown

Have shot the .243 Win for almost 40 yrs.

What I found time and time again is that after dicking around experimenting, I always come back to a flat base 100gr softpoint. Sierra ProHunter these days. At 2850-3000fps, it’s a very effective bullet on medium game. Just make sure you put it into the front half of the chest cavity.

The other candidate is the 85gr Sierra HPBT GameKing. I’ve had that really flying at above book max loads and come to seriously respect how it flattens smaller deer.

I decided recently that my ongoing 6mm fascination needed a different twist, so now I’ve got a 6mm Creedmoor. Amazing what a 7.5” of twist can do for a calibre...

Do you find that a lung shot or liver is not a quick kill?

My 100 grain Winchester ammo punched through the front shoulder of a fallow esisly enough.

My go to .243 bullet in my Tikka is the 80gr Barnes TTSX loaded miles off the lands, (if you load for a Tikka don't waste your time chasing the lands) with over max load of 2206H this shoots under 0.5" groups all day, have never lost an animal.

Some photos from tests etc is the Hornady 87 gr SP (Spire point) and the 87gr HPBT both bullets shot from 100 yrds into (wet phone books), both held together but the SP weighed more.

Next is a Nosler 95gr BT from 100 yrds (wet phone books)

Barnes 85gr TSX recovered from a Red deer, this was my main bullet before I changed to the 80gr TTSX

Last photo was a Targex 70gr (wet ph books) and last (because it's a good example) 7mm 139gr SST Hornady recoverd from an animal at 325yrds, have used these for years never had a problem even at close range, very accurate in all of my rifles.