Need input for developing deer load .243

tkofoid · January 20, 2009, 07:48 AM

I just picked up a T/C Icon in a .243. I'm going to use it for hunting, mostly deer. I think I want to go with a 90 grain bullet. I usually pick up the 'green' box of bullets, but I am leaning towards the Speer hot-Cor. I haven't used Speer bullets in 30 years, thought it would add color to my bullet selection having a yellow box for a change. Have any of you had any experience with the Speer Hot-Cor in the 243? I am also an accuracy nut. I know 1/2MOA is way too good for deer,but the challenge to put together a good load is fun and rewarding. Any suggestions, pet loads, negative or even positive feedback should make for good study. I'm leaving it up to you fellows to pour it on! Thanks.

mkl · January 20, 2009, 11:47 AM

Best .243 deer load I've found is the 100 grain Nosler Partition pushed by IMR-4350. Never have failed to have one drop within 30 yards of where it was hit. Most have dropped in their tracks.

dkwhite · January 20, 2009, 12:02 PM

I recently rebarreled one of my Savages to .243. I didn't have time to work up a load before deer season so I used a Federal factory load that uses an 80gr Hot-Cor. I shot a small buck and the performance was great. The bullet shredded everything in it's path and left a nice sized exit wound. I've also used this load on coyotes and groundhogs with excellent results(not pelt friendly). The 80gr Hot-Cor is now my "go to" bullet for the .243.

Here's the factory load I used.

http://www.federalpremium.com/produc...ifle.aspx?id=7

crowbeaner · January 20, 2009, 12:38 PM

37 grains of IMR4320 and that 90 grain Speer is a sweet shooting combo.

PCJim · January 20, 2009, 01:08 PM

+1 with MKL. 40.0gr IMR-4350 behind the 100gr Nosler Partition. Not the max charge, but stout enough to handle the whitetails while saving both your brass and barrel.

tkofoid · January 20, 2009, 05:32 PM

I can appreicate what you fellas are talking about when you mention the Nolser partition. I leaned toward the Speer due to cost. But,, I haven't priced the partition lately,,maybe they are in the ballpark? I knew you guys would come through for me. Thanks to all!

robctwo · January 20, 2009, 06:27 PM

Most of the deer I've killed with my .243 were shot with the 100 gr corelock. I have had good accuracy with 95 and 100 gr and Varget in the 33 to 34 gr range per the Hodgdon site. I like the Hornady interlock and interbond, but Noslers work good as well.

hardhit · January 21, 2009, 12:28 AM

Nosler do a 90 & 95 Gr. Spitzer Ballistic tip Hunting
Its intended use is on deer?

tkofoid · January 21, 2009, 07:45 AM

The nosler ballistc tips are certainly accurate. I had a bad experience with them on deer in the 25 cal. It exploded upon impact with no penetration.
It tore a big hole in the buck's hide and blew him over. He got up and ran off.

hardhit · January 21, 2009, 04:17 PM

Wow sorry to here that! are you sure that they were ballistic tip hunting no varmint, I no that the early ballistic tips had some problems in that they didn’t hold together, So nosler beef up the jackets on the hunting version, iv used them in 25 cal on deer & goats and kangaroos and never had one get away.

tkofoid · January 21, 2009, 08:11 PM

Hardhit: I thought maybe I had a box of varmint bullets,too. I wrote to Nosler with my complaint and they told me to hold my velocity down below 3000 fps.... I thougth it was a poor excuse at the time...Since then I have heard,as you stated, that they stiffened them up a bit.

James R. Burke · February 20, 2009, 01:51 PM

I load my wifes .243 win with Nostler 100 grain partitions pushed by RL-22. Bigger bullets in the .243 like slower burning powder. She shot a two deer last year, and dropped right were they stood. Complete pass thru nice expansion. Check out Noslers web site, and go to the ballistic room. They will give you all the loas info for there bullet. I always get the manual but you could slide by just checking there site out. I dont give out my load data one typo go be a huge mistake. Hope I helped a little.

onehitwonder · February 20, 2009, 10:16 PM

i've had great luck with most 100gr soft points.

cartman · February 21, 2009, 12:06 AM

I have been loading 85 grain Sierra HPBT's with IMR 4320 38.6 grains of powder and WW Large rifle primers no problem with 1/2" MOA or better at 100yrds. many deer dispatched over 35 years loading them all 1 shot kills and drop in their tracks. They have been used in my Boy's rifles as well as my Mauser and Model 70 in the 243.

There have also been 2 elk and several mule deer shot with this same load. The Elk dropped but used a follow up shot on 1, this load has been an awesome load for me and I think I'm too old to change now....

This load can be referenced in the Sierra handloading manual, never shoot a load that can't be referenced in a reliable handload book.

Stick_man · February 21, 2009, 09:16 PM

Barnes makes an 85gr TSX that is very accurate, great expansion, and deadly on Mulies and speedgoats. They are a little pricey, but their performance makes them worth every penny paid for them. They are pretty picky about the loading particulars, but once you find the right combo for YOUR rifle, their accuracy will rival any match grade bullet out there. Their weight retention and expansion is second to none.

Coltdriver · February 21, 2009, 09:23 PM

Whatever bullet you choose do a look up on optimum charge weight and give that a try.

I have a .243 that I have finally dialed in after teaching myself how to get one to shoot right. Along the way I discovered this optimum charge weight method for getting a particular rifle/bullet combo working.

I tried this method at the range with a new .308 a couple of weeks ago and inside of 20 rounds had a powder/bullet combo that groups like magic. I came home, loaded up some rounds at the weight that worked best and sure enough they are right on.

You don't have to fool with col either.

Let us know what you come up with.

Teuthis · February 21, 2009, 10:16 PM

Use the manuals for your loading. You cannot go wrong applying the precise recipes in the manuals. I loaded a number of such rounds in .243. The deer will drop from a good hit with any of them.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · February 21, 2009, 10:32 PM

It is a shame we can't hunt deer in Illinois with a rifle. But, we can hunt coyotes year round with rifles....and 24 hours a day for a couple months out of the year. Makes no sense to me! :barf:

butta9999 · February 22, 2009, 12:04 AM

100gr hornady interlock with 42gr of AR2209 pushing it out. Get about 2900fps and hits hard. That is my pet heavy load,

January 20, 2009, 07:48 AM	#1
tkofoid Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2008 Location: N. D. Posts: 149	Need input for developing deer load .243 I just picked up a T/C Icon in a .243. I'm going to use it for hunting, mostly deer. I think I want to go with a 90 grain bullet. I usually pick up the 'green' box of bullets, but I am leaning towards the Speer hot-Cor. I haven't used Speer bullets in 30 years, thought it would add color to my bullet selection having a yellow box for a change. Have any of you had any experience with the Speer Hot-Cor in the 243? I am also an accuracy nut. I know 1/2MOA is way too good for deer,but the challenge to put together a good load is fun and rewarding. Any suggestions, pet loads, negative or even positive feedback should make for good study. I'm leaving it up to you fellows to pour it on! Thanks.

January 20, 2009, 12:38 PM	#4
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	37 grains of IMR4320 and that 90 grain Speer is a sweet shooting combo. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

February 20, 2009, 01:51 PM	#12
James R. Burke Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: U.P. of Mich/Quinnesec Posts: 1,897	Nosler I load my wifes .243 win with Nostler 100 grain partitions pushed by RL-22. Bigger bullets in the .243 like slower burning powder. She shot a two deer last year, and dropped right were they stood. Complete pass thru nice expansion. Check out Noslers web site, and go to the ballistic room. They will give you all the loas info for there bullet. I always get the manual but you could slide by just checking there site out. I dont give out my load data one typo go be a huge mistake. Hope I helped a little.

February 20, 2009, 10:16 PM	#13
onehitwonder Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Posts: 97	i've had great luck with most 100gr soft points. __________________ " Take your children hunting when they are young and they will hunt for less when they are older "

February 21, 2009, 12:06 AM	#14
cartman Member Join Date: January 25, 2009 Location: behind a rock in my back yard in Pennsylvania Posts: 20	I have been loading 85 grain Sierra HPBT's with IMR 4320 38.6 grains of powder and WW Large rifle primers no problem with 1/2" MOA or better at 100yrds. many deer dispatched over 35 years loading them all 1 shot kills and drop in their tracks. They have been used in my Boy's rifles as well as my Mauser and Model 70 in the 243. There have also been 2 elk and several mule deer shot with this same load. The Elk dropped but used a follow up shot on 1, this load has been an awesome load for me and I think I'm too old to change now.... This load can be referenced in the Sierra handloading manual, never shoot a load that can't be referenced in a reliable handload book. Last edited by cartman; February 21, 2009 at 12:39 AM. Reason: Added reference information.

January 20, 2009, 11:47 AM	#2
mkl Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 494	Best .243 deer load I've found is the 100 grain Nosler Partition pushed by IMR-4350. Never have failed to have one drop within 30 yards of where it was hit. Most have dropped in their tracks.

January 20, 2009, 12:02 PM	#3
dkwhite Junior Member Join Date: September 18, 2006 Location: SW MO Posts: 6	I recently rebarreled one of my Savages to .243. I didn't have time to work up a load before deer season so I used a Federal factory load that uses an 80gr Hot-Cor. I shot a small buck and the performance was great. The bullet shredded everything in it's path and left a nice sized exit wound. I've also used this load on coyotes and groundhogs with excellent results(not pelt friendly). The 80gr Hot-Cor is now my "go to" bullet for the .243. Here's the factory load I used. http://www.federalpremium.com/produc...ifle.aspx?id=7

January 20, 2009, 01:08 PM	#5
PCJim Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 570	+1 with MKL. 40.0gr IMR-4350 behind the 100gr Nosler Partition. Not the max charge, but stout enough to handle the whitetails while saving both your brass and barrel.

January 20, 2009, 05:32 PM	#6
tkofoid Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2008 Location: N. D. Posts: 149	I can appreicate what you fellas are talking about when you mention the Nolser partition. I leaned toward the Speer due to cost. But,, I haven't priced the partition lately,,maybe they are in the ballpark? I knew you guys would come through for me. Thanks to all!

January 20, 2009, 06:27 PM	#7
robctwo Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2002 Location: Albany, Oregon Posts: 644	Most of the deer I've killed with my .243 were shot with the 100 gr corelock. I have had good accuracy with 95 and 100 gr and Varget in the 33 to 34 gr range per the Hodgdon site. I like the Hornady interlock and interbond, but Noslers work good as well.

January 21, 2009, 12:28 AM	#8
hardhit Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Posts: 343	Nosler do a 90 & 95 Gr. Spitzer Ballistic tip Hunting Its intended use is on deer?

January 21, 2009, 07:45 AM	#9
tkofoid Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2008 Location: N. D. Posts: 149	The nosler ballistc tips are certainly accurate. I had a bad experience with them on deer in the 25 cal. It exploded upon impact with no penetration. It tore a big hole in the buck's hide and blew him over. He got up and ran off.

January 21, 2009, 08:11 PM	#11
tkofoid Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2008 Location: N. D. Posts: 149	Hardhit: I thought maybe I had a box of varmint bullets,too. I wrote to Nosler with my complaint and they told me to hold my velocity down below 3000 fps.... I thougth it was a poor excuse at the time...Since then I have heard,as you stated, that they stiffened them up a bit.

February 21, 2009, 09:16 PM	#15
Stick_man Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 241	Barnes makes an 85gr TSX that is very accurate, great expansion, and deadly on Mulies and speedgoats. They are a little pricey, but their performance makes them worth every penny paid for them. They are pretty picky about the loading particulars, but once you find the right combo for YOUR rifle, their accuracy will rival any match grade bullet out there. Their weight retention and expansion is second to none.

February 21, 2009, 09:23 PM	#16
Coltdriver Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2001 Posts: 683	Whatever bullet you choose do a look up on optimum charge weight and give that a try. I have a .243 that I have finally dialed in after teaching myself how to get one to shoot right. Along the way I discovered this optimum charge weight method for getting a particular rifle/bullet combo working. I tried this method at the range with a new .308 a couple of weeks ago and inside of 20 rounds had a powder/bullet combo that groups like magic. I came home, loaded up some rounds at the weight that worked best and sure enough they are right on. You don't have to fool with col either. Let us know what you come up with.

February 21, 2009, 10:16 PM	#17
Teuthis Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2008 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 537	Use the manuals for your loading. You cannot go wrong applying the precise recipes in the manuals. I loaded a number of such rounds in .243. The deer will drop from a good hit with any of them. __________________ Oderint dum Metuant

February 21, 2009, 10:32 PM	#18
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	It is a shame we can't hunt deer in Illinois with a rifle. But, we can hunt coyotes year round with rifles....and 24 hours a day for a couple months out of the year. Makes no sense to me! :barf: __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

February 22, 2009, 12:04 AM	#19
butta9999 Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2008 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 692	100gr hornady interlock with 42gr of AR2209 pushing it out. Get about 2900fps and hits hard. That is my pet heavy load, __________________ Knowledge is Power!