Best 243 bullet for deer?

[veeman]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and was wondering if anyone had a bullet suggestion for a 243. It's for my 12 year old son, will be on whitetail deer and because he is going on his first hunt this fall the distance will be under 200 yards. I know with a smaller cartridge like the 243 bullet choice is very important and would really like some advice. Thanks in advance!

[Topgun 30-06]

I'm shooting Hornady BTSPs in all three calibers of guns I use most. In my .243 Sako I go with the 100 grainer and it is great for what you described on out to twice that far for deer and antelope.

[smittys300rum]

When my nephew uses my Remington model 7 predator in 243 I have him using Federal 85 grain Barnes Triple-shocks of course the deer dont like it. LOL

[veeman]

Thanks Topgun. What powders seem to work well with those? So far just loading up Hornady 87 gr vmax over varget for him.

[veeman]

Thanks smittys300rum, I've heard good things about the Barnes' bullets.

[CogburnR]

The Sierra 85g HPBT GameKing Is one of the best for the 243 on deer.

[Topgun 30-06]

veeman---I'm using IMR4064. min is 29.4 grains and max is 34.2 grains, which will get you about 2800 fps. IMR 4831 at min of 35.0 grains will get you about 2500 fps and max of 42.5 will get you way up to about 3000 fps. The same goes for H4831 with min of 36.7 grains to max of 45.5 grains. The B.C. is 0.405 and C.O.L. is 2.630 for the 100 grain BTSP. The straight SP has a B. C. of 0.381 and the same C.O.L. and can be loaded under those same spec for those different powders. The S.D. on both is o.242.
You may even want to try their 105 grain A-MAX. Hornady touts it as a great long range bullet for the .243. It has a S.D. of 0.254, a B.C. of 0.500 and same C.O.L. as the others. A couple of max loads are 39.5grains of IMR 4831 to get about 2700 fps, H4350 with max of 41.0 grains to get about 2800 fps. My book also shows a max of 47.7 grains of WIN WMR will take it up to 3000 fps. Hope that helps a little!