.243 Load for Deer


JimT

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Just wondering what loads everyone uses. I have a box of 100gr CoreLokts and a box of 95gr Winchester Supreme Ballistic Silvertips. Getting another .243 soon and need to start figuring what to try and run with. Not sure but this rifle -may- be used for smaller/medium black bears,under 200 pounds over bait. Thoughts?

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Wife uses 100 grain core lokts from her savage model 10 and she has not had a deer make it off the field.

My oldest daughter's A bolt does not like the core lokts, but shoots the 100 grain winchester power point soft points pretty well, really does not make any sense. Anyway that was what she killed her doe with last season and the deer did not go far.

Don't know about the bears, right bullet on that size bears with good shot placement would think the .243 would be fine.

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i shoot 100 gr core lokts in my remington .243 and have done well with it. in my first 3 years of hunting i shot five deer with it including two within an hour of eachother on opening morning of the MN rifle season. all five of the deer from those years and one in the last couple years were all dropped by the 100 gr core lokts. im stickin with those until i have the money to upgrade to a .270

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I personally would go with a Nosler Partition if using it for bear of any size. Bear are tough and their vitals sit a little more forward than deer. The other problem is that bear have a reputation for being poor bleeders.

A buddy of mine shot his 150" buck two years ago with a 243 using the regular Federal 100gr. soft points. They shoot/group well. However, his 30 yard shot was tight in on the buck's shoulders(perfect placement), didn't break either and was in the meat on the otherside. No exit hole and a small enterance hole made it a tough track job, though he went less than 75 yards.

I am a firm believer in two holes. More blood on the ground means easier game retrieval. My 2cents.

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I have killed numerous deer with a .243 using the core-lokts; like everyone else said, shot placement is the key with smaller calibers. However, black bear are a different story. I wouldn't attempt a shot at a bear with no less than a solid .30 caliber. Bear have very tough hides and quite a bit of fat just under the hide, even in the spring. IMO a .243 will not penetrate very effectively on a bear even with a great shot placement. Most of my bear hunting is done with a 12 guage slug or my .45-70.

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Remington Loaded with 90 grain Sirocco

My Step grand daughter Joela then aged 15 shot 3 deer with a .243 Win with Remington factory ammo loaded with the 90 grain Sirocco

the buck fell backing instating or water hole the two does never went more than 5 feet All3 instant kills hit in chest

My 7mm Rem Mag doesn't kill that that quick

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My Step grand daughter Joela then aged 15 shot 3 deer with a .243 Win with Remington factory ammo loaded with the 90 grain Sirocco

the buck fell backing instating or water hole the two does never went more than 5 feet All3 instant kills hit in chest

My 7mm Rem Mag doesn't kill that that quick

I was looking at those rounds Tink. Thanks for the post. I shot my bear last year with a 150 gr Scirocco down my 30-06 and it just dropped... Good bullett for sure.

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Okay round if your shot is perfect everytime. However I do not think I would use it on any size bear. I have tracked other peoples wounded bears in the dark on my hands and knees. Not all that much fun. Bears hide is thicker and aiming point can be difficult to see. Doesn't take much to miss a bears vitals. they are tucked up pretty good behind their shoulders and no way a .243 will penetrate a bears shoulder consistantly.

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