243 Winchester bullet choice

[blackbrush1]

I'll be a bit of an outlier here - the 85gr Partition is the way to go. BC and ultimate accuracy aren't needed. Solid initial hydrostatic expansion combined with penetration thereafter are needed in this application. If the shot isn't perfect, you're covered as best you can be. The Barnes is a good 2nd choice.

 

[extremesolo]

The 95 grain nosler ballistic tip has proven to be an accurate game getter in a .243. They are built to be stout and they have shot very well for me with H4350. SPS often has them on sale making them even more affordable as well. I wouldn't sneeze at a partition or 80-85 grain barnes load either. All of them should work perfectly for you.

 

[Sanford338]

The 95 grain nosler ballistic tip has proven to be an accurate game getter in a .243. They are built to be stout and they have shot very well for me with H4350. SPS often has them on sale making them even more affordable as well. I wouldn't sneeze at a partition or 80-85 grain barnes load either. All of them should work perfectly for you.

I concur on the 95 grain nosler ballistic tip. My boy was 7 when he took his first deer(doe). Then my daughter shooting the same gun and bullet. Both have been shooting the 243 Win with the 95 grain nosler ballistic tips ever since. Haven't lost a single deer ... ever! The combination is deadly and extremely accurate...

 

[huntintoo]

The Nosler 90 grain E-Tip has been a great load for my wife's .243. Great B.C. and superb accuracy out of Rem. 700 BDL and Weatherby Vanguard.
Most of the deer and antelope she has taken were inside 300 yards. BUT......
Oldest son borrowed it (Weatherby Vanguard) for a hunt a few years ago and made a great 484 yard shot on a nice muley.

 

[YZ-80]

The 95 grain nosler ballistic tip has proven to be an accurate game getter in a .243. They are built to be stout and they have shot very well for me with H4350. SPS often has them on sale making them even more affordable as well. I wouldn't sneeze at a partition or 80-85 grain barnes load either. All of them should work perfectly for you.

This is true. I have had good luck with the Noslers as well. You gotta love the .243!

 

[Panhandle Pete]

You cannot go wrong with several bullets for the 243 Winchester, 85 or 100 grain Nosler Partions have worked well for me on lots game from antelope and large feral hogs, 90 grain Nosler Accubond has given DRT on feral hogs, 80 grain Banes Tipped Triple Shock have dropped antelope where they stood more than once. I would try any of these bullets and be confident in my decision. We have lots of opportunity to test bullets here in Texas on feral hogs and I have used all these bullets with great success, bullet placement is the key with any bullet. Long live the 243 Winchester!!

 

[Have gun will travel]

I've used the .243 for over 55 years for deer hunting and have settled on the Barnes 80 grain TTSX. Shoot 'em once and watch 'em drop.

 

[SEGARE]

95gr NAB

 

[verticalslope1970]

My nephew dropped a big mule deer buck at 200 yards with a Barnes TTSX factory load in .243. Stopped him in his tracks. This is a video of 12 yoa hunter shooting a mule deer at 228 yards with a .243 TTSX Barnes

 

[trodgers]

Winchester's 100 grain power lock accounted for 7 does and a nice aoudad during youth hunts. All did not make it 20 yards. The aoudad was one of those classic drt's that crumpled where she stood.

 

[D Lee]

Blackbrush1 and Pete are correct. Any one of the 3 Partitions are THE (Deer) bullets to depend on, not just when things go right, but when shot placement isn't perfect. I'm a LONG time fan of Nathan Foster whose extensive FIELD research strongly favors the Partitions for deer with your .243. Maybe not a fancy bullet but they are THE .243 deer bullet you can trust...7/365.

I would place the Ballistic Tips second (NOT their Varmint bullets).

Good on you for being there for your Son.

 

[10orbetter]

Definitely barns 80 ttsx

 

[Lionel Boyd Johnson]

Add my vote in favor of the Sierra 85 gr HPBT Game King. I've been using this bullet since the mid-90s on whitetail, coyote, fox and woodchuck. If there were only one bullet available in .243 diameter, I hope it would be this one. -Ed

 

[fmuguira]

If you re trying to keep recoil low 85 partition or 85 GK.

If your boy is younger; say 8-12, consider the 80 grain Blitz ( I know it's a thinner jacket but ...) used in a reduced H4895 load. Shoot for 2550-2600 FPS and you ll be amazed with the performance to 200-250 yds. Set up friends grandson a few yes back with this load and he shot a deer and antelope and his Mom used the same load/gun for an antelope. Longest shot was 265 yards!
Good Luck