Thread: 243 on deer

Approaching a likely looking spot I slow, inching forward on my stomach and pushing the 243 out front so it could have a look around, I could see, but only just

Binos in hand I peered into the brush n shit that seems to grow where deer spend their spare time

Time passes easily behind binos, too easily sometimes, then a brown/reddish face nibbling the ground, here we go

The plan at this stage to quietly close the bolt and send one down its ear ole

It collapses like it’s legs were stolen and in the scope I’m aware of a blur to the right through my field of view, then back to the left, then again to the right, a brilliant display of confusion reigning while it realises it’s mate isn’t contributing to the stampede

It eventually stops and slumps to the ground as a 95g Nosler Ballistic Tip (3100fps @ muzzle) enters centre of the scapula, and exits the opposite side, 210 yards not enough to scrub much energy from the projectile.

I had hoped for this type of performance from the 95 grainer (thanks to Gail Root) and it’s a worthwhile upgrade from the 60g NBT in the 223

Anyone else have favourable experiences with the 243 and are you still enjoying it or have you moved on to other things……

To much gun

The heaviest pill i have for mine is 90 speers but I feel there’s enough gas in the tank to push a 120. Or at least a 115. It’s about time a manufacturer looked at the two poor three like they have just done with the 25 It would give it a whole new lease of life


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slightly partially a little bit off topic but what length barrel are you running?

Great going and great shooting.

85 grain Hornady interbond.
Works from any angle if you know your anatomy.

I set up a .243 for the kids/missus to use. Shortend stock. Low bipod and basic holdover reticle scope. I load 90 gr Speers with 2208, works really well. They have all taken deer with it. Son even used it at the local NZDA shoot out to 400m.

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I used a .243 with 95gr Targex with very satisfactory results.

A mate recently got a 16" .243 for a little lightweight close range gun. After a lot of uncertainty about whether it would be sufficient, he has shot deer out to 400+m perfectly satisfactorily with a 90gr ELDX at 2800 or so. No more uncertainty.

Had more bang /flops with .243 than any other caliber.

Originally Posted by steeve

slightly partially a little bit off topic but what length barrel are you running?

Sako barrel at factory length, same thought process and shot placement considerations as 223 except you get an extended harvesting range

certainly is one cartridge that needs very careful projectile selection to really make it work - but great for the younger shooter - but then 6.5 x 55 is to - lots of 243 out there to choose from - I always had 308 supplied so not a cartridge I have used much - tried one for meat hunting and it worked - the low recoil helps in better shot placement thats for sure - likely surpassed now by the 223 but that needs handloading to get the best from it -just my thoughts - definitely 243 is a cartridge to start young hunters with

Originally Posted by The bomb

Had more bang /flops with .243 than any other caliber.

Do you feel that’s because you know you have to be careful with shot placement and/or your aiming closer to the spine to shock drop and roll

My first centrefire was a 243win. An absolute pos BSA.
My latest one is a 1:8 twist Tikka shooting 108gn ELD-Ms. As yet I have only shot a handful of animals with it at distances from 25 to 388 yards (two reds, two chamois and a pig) but definitely can't complain about the results. Nice to shot and with it's Fisher carbon stock a dream to carry.
The work gets shared around my 223, 243 and 308. They are all very effective and it is pretty random as to what I take out of the safe when I go for a hunt.

From a 243AI I was shooting 95g Partitions and 105g A-max. The A-max was a surprisingly good bullet. Having minimal recoil made it a comfortable rifle to use so was often first pick out the safe. I'd like to get another 6mm but maybe a 6x47L. Still nothing at all wrong with the 243Win and there's a good reason it's often suggested as a good first or even only rifle to get.

I am a fairly newcomer compared to many in the .243 scene. I got one to try for night work as the .223 was showing it's limitations and recoil can be frustrating. Getting smacked in the face by a thermal/night vision isn't great and neither is losing sight of the animal or animals.

Fair to say that the rest of my rifles have taken a back seat since. Farthest shot is just over 630 yards and 500 with the 105gr targex is a breeze.
Reloder 26 gets the 105gr going close to 3100fps in a 22" and just under 2900fps in an 18".

As far as shot placement goes, with the 105gr targex, 95gr SST and 95gr targex I just shoot them anywhere I would the .270, .308 etc.

Have tried some traditional soft point projectiles and whilst some like them the ones I have used definitely have not proven to be satisfactory for what I require.