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Long Range Hunting & Shooting
.243 and blood trails?
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<blockquote data-quote="mcseal2" data-source="post: 452758" data-attributes="member: 22030"><p>I've taken quite a few deer with a 243 over the years, it was my first deer rifle and I've used it for antlerless season ever since. I would not call the lack of blood trail typical of the 243 or any larger deer rifle, but it mostly depends on what bullet you were using. I think the money for premium bullets is well spent especially in a small caliber rifle.</p><p> </p><p>First question is did the bullets exit? A small entrance wound, especially one higher in the chest, will not bleed to much until the chest cavity fills with blood.</p><p> </p><p>As to bullets, there are two options that both worked well for me under the right conditions. Berger VLD bullets have performed great for me from the 243, and HSM now loads them in factory ammo if you don't handload. These bullets will get into the chest cavity 2-3" and then begin to expand dramatically for the next 12" or so causing major internal damage. These bullets won't leave a blood trail, but I've never had a deer go over 20ft after the shot. Look under the reloading forum at my test results on the 87gr berger for more specifics.</p><p> </p><p>The other option is to go with a bullet like the Nosler Partition, Barnes TSX, or Swift Scirocco that is designed to retain 60-100% of it's weight and penetrate through the deer. These won't likely drop a deer as fast as the Berger, but is much more likely to exit and leave a good blood trail if the deer runs after the shot. 100gr Sierra gamekings have also gave me good results for a long time, and are available in Federal factory ammo.</p><p> </p><p>I wouldn't recommend taking any shot other than broadside on a deer with a 243, which is why I only use mine during antlerless season. For broadside shots I like the Bergers, and plan to continue using them. An added bonus for me is that with the small entrance wound and no exit they leave very little blood on the ground to contaminate your hunting area with it's scent. A 243 is plenty of gun for this type of shot. </p><p> </p><p>I use 130-140gr Nosler accubonds in my 264,270, or 270WSM for buck season because I may get a quartering or head-on shot and feel more comfortable with the added energy and penetration from these bullets. In my hunting situation I don't always get the perfect broadside shot I would take with my 243. Accubonds open very fast on impact, then hold together to penetrate well making for a good blood trail from both the entrance and exit wound. I've never had a buck go over 100yds after being hit with an accubond and always had a good blood trail. </p><p> </p><p>Nosler is coming out with a 90gr 243 accubond in 2011 that should be a good choice also. Accubonds have a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Cabelas with 149 reviews, and Berger VLD Hunting bullets have a 4.8 rating with 75 reviews. They must be working for everyone to be rated this high.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="mcseal2, post: 452758, member: 22030"] I've taken quite a few deer with a 243 over the years, it was my first deer rifle and I've used it for antlerless season ever since. I would not call the lack of blood trail typical of the 243 or any larger deer rifle, but it mostly depends on what bullet you were using. I think the money for premium bullets is well spent especially in a small caliber rifle. First question is did the bullets exit? A small entrance wound, especially one higher in the chest, will not bleed to much until the chest cavity fills with blood. As to bullets, there are two options that both worked well for me under the right conditions. Berger VLD bullets have performed great for me from the 243, and HSM now loads them in factory ammo if you don't handload. These bullets will get into the chest cavity 2-3" and then begin to expand dramatically for the next 12" or so causing major internal damage. These bullets won't leave a blood trail, but I've never had a deer go over 20ft after the shot. Look under the reloading forum at my test results on the 87gr berger for more specifics. The other option is to go with a bullet like the Nosler Partition, Barnes TSX, or Swift Scirocco that is designed to retain 60-100% of it's weight and penetrate through the deer. These won't likely drop a deer as fast as the Berger, but is much more likely to exit and leave a good blood trail if the deer runs after the shot. 100gr Sierra gamekings have also gave me good results for a long time, and are available in Federal factory ammo. I wouldn't recommend taking any shot other than broadside on a deer with a 243, which is why I only use mine during antlerless season. For broadside shots I like the Bergers, and plan to continue using them. An added bonus for me is that with the small entrance wound and no exit they leave very little blood on the ground to contaminate your hunting area with it's scent. A 243 is plenty of gun for this type of shot. I use 130-140gr Nosler accubonds in my 264,270, or 270WSM for buck season because I may get a quartering or head-on shot and feel more comfortable with the added energy and penetration from these bullets. In my hunting situation I don't always get the perfect broadside shot I would take with my 243. Accubonds open very fast on impact, then hold together to penetrate well making for a good blood trail from both the entrance and exit wound. I've never had a buck go over 100yds after being hit with an accubond and always had a good blood trail. Nosler is coming out with a 90gr 243 accubond in 2011 that should be a good choice also. Accubonds have a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Cabelas with 149 reviews, and Berger VLD Hunting bullets have a 4.8 rating with 75 reviews. They must be working for everyone to be rated this high. [/QUOTE]
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.243 and blood trails?
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