243 reloading post results in buck down

ReloadKy · November 15, 2018, 08:43 PM

I do not really know if this post belongs here but the people that responded to my question are usually the ones I see posting on here. A few months ago I posted a question about which 243 bullets to reload for my wife to deer hunt with. After a lot of reading on this forum I went with the Hornady 95 gr SST. Fast forward to last Saturday night. My wife and I sat down in a ground blind and a literally 30 minutes later a 9 pt buck came out chasing a doe into our food plot. She dropped him in his tracks, for her first deer ever!! She was pumped and I was ecstatic. Thanks for all of the recommendations to the previous post. It has resulted in my wife now being a new life long hunter.

reynolds357 · November 15, 2018, 08:59 PM

Congratulations. Now, to be honest, there are about 40 bullets you could have loaded and had the same results.

reinert · November 16, 2018, 08:53 AM

The 87 grn. Hornady S.P. in my 6MM Rem. (my ".243" of choice) has been a proven bullet time, and time, and time again on deer and antelope, as it has for many hunters long before I ever started reloading ammo. That was the first caliber I ever started reloading for back in the early 80's. Up until very recently, I've always used IMR 4350 for propellent in my 6MM, but have found Varget to be good stuff, too. The bullet will always be the 87 grainer by Hornady, though. No need to try anything else AFAIC. Congrats to your wife! Indeed!

There's a saying here in Wyoming; "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." That saying could well be used for tried and true hunting handloads, too...

T. O'Heir · November 16, 2018, 02:28 PM

So given that deer are best hung for about a week before butchering and adding a couple days for you or your butcher to cut it up and him being closed, dinner's what, 1 December? snicker.

Panfisher · November 16, 2018, 05:51 PM

Yep, plenty of bullets would do the samething. My wife has fired 3 rounds this season out of her .243. And 3 dead deer. The first one was a big old bruiser, teeth worn down, one eye gone etc. Her light loaded 100 grain Hornady Interlock punched some of both shoulders and 50.5 grains of it came to rest under the hide. Only the second of hers I have recovered. Am seriously wanting to change bullets because, well why not. Thinking about making a major change. To the tipped Hornady Interlock, I have been loading the old ones for 18 years now for her, getting bored with the same results. Hear the distinctive POW, then within a few minutes I get a text telling me where to drive the tractor to. Almost always the same scenario she deer jumps/kicks and makes a dead run for about 40 to 50 yards before piling up. I don't have a walk in coole and hanging one around here for very long would result in a wasted deer. Mine are bones out and in the freezer within 24 hrs.

YARDDOG(1) · November 16, 2018, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panfisher

Yep, plenty of bullets would do the samething. My wife has fired 3 rounds this season out of her .243. And 3 dead deer. The first one was a big old bruiser, teeth worn down, one eye gone etc. Her light loaded 100 grain Hornady Interlock punched some of both shoulders and 50.5 grains of it came to rest under the hide. Only the second of hers I have recovered. Am seriously wanting to change bullets because, well why not. Thinking about making a major change. To the tipped Hornady Interlock, I have been loading the old ones for 18 years now for her, getting bored with the same results. Hear the distinctive POW, then within a few minutes I get a text telling me where to drive the tractor to. Almost always the same scenario she deer jumps/kicks and makes a dead run for about 40 to 50 yards before piling up. I don't have a walk in coole and hanging one around here for very long would result in a wasted deer. Mine are bones out and in the freezer within 24 hrs.

I put mine in coolers & ice for 3-4 days ; )
Y/D

gw44 · November 16, 2018, 08:02 PM

I use 100gr interlock also, bang flop dead deer !!!!

std7mag · November 18, 2018, 08:55 AM

Congratulations to you and the Mrs.!!

**Unclenick** · November 18, 2018, 03:26 PM

Yes. We are happy to learn your research here proved fruitful. It appears some of the other members didn't understand your research has been concluded, however, their suggestions may be kept in mind should you ever run into a shortage of the 95-grain SST's. Do give your wife our collective welcome to the club.

ReloadKy · November 20, 2018, 10:35 PM

Thanks Unclenick for your thoughtful response.

November 15, 2018, 08:43 PM	#1
ReloadKy Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2018 Posts: 191	243 reloading post results in buck down I do not really know if this post belongs here but the people that responded to my question are usually the ones I see posting on here. A few months ago I posted a question about which 243 bullets to reload for my wife to deer hunt with. After a lot of reading on this forum I went with the Hornady 95 gr SST. Fast forward to last Saturday night. My wife and I sat down in a ground blind and a literally 30 minutes later a 9 pt buck came out chasing a doe into our food plot. She dropped him in his tracks, for her first deer ever!! She was pumped and I was ecstatic. Thanks for all of the recommendations to the previous post. It has resulted in my wife now being a new life long hunter.

November 16, 2018, 02:28 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	So given that deer are best hung for about a week before butchering and adding a couple days for you or your butcher to cut it up and him being closed, dinner's what, 1 December? snicker. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 18, 2018, 08:55 AM	#8
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Congratulations to you and the Mrs.!! __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

November 18, 2018, 03:26 PM	#9
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Yes. We are happy to learn your research here proved fruitful. It appears some of the other members didn't understand your research has been concluded, however, their suggestions may be kept in mind should you ever run into a shortage of the 95-grain SST's. Do give your wife our collective welcome to the club. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

November 15, 2018, 08:59 PM	#2
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	Congratulations. Now, to be honest, there are about 40 bullets you could have loaded and had the same results.

November 16, 2018, 08:53 AM	#3
reinert Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 646	The 87 grn. Hornady S.P. in my 6MM Rem. (my ".243" of choice) has been a proven bullet time, and time, and time again on deer and antelope, as it has for many hunters long before I ever started reloading ammo. That was the first caliber I ever started reloading for back in the early 80's. Up until very recently, I've always used IMR 4350 for propellent in my 6MM, but have found Varget to be good stuff, too. The bullet will always be the 87 grainer by Hornady, though. No need to try anything else AFAIC. Congrats to your wife! Indeed! There's a saying here in Wyoming; "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." That saying could well be used for tried and true hunting handloads, too...

November 16, 2018, 05:51 PM	#5
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	Yep, plenty of bullets would do the samething. My wife has fired 3 rounds this season out of her .243. And 3 dead deer. The first one was a big old bruiser, teeth worn down, one eye gone etc. Her light loaded 100 grain Hornady Interlock punched some of both shoulders and 50.5 grains of it came to rest under the hide. Only the second of hers I have recovered. Am seriously wanting to change bullets because, well why not. Thinking about making a major change. To the tipped Hornady Interlock, I have been loading the old ones for 18 years now for her, getting bored with the same results. Hear the distinctive POW, then within a few minutes I get a text telling me where to drive the tractor to. Almost always the same scenario she deer jumps/kicks and makes a dead run for about 40 to 50 yards before piling up. I don't have a walk in coole and hanging one around here for very long would result in a wasted deer. Mine are bones out and in the freezer within 24 hrs.

November 16, 2018, 08:02 PM	#7
gw44 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 311	I use 100gr interlock also, bang flop dead deer !!!!

November 20, 2018, 10:35 PM	#10
ReloadKy Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2018 Posts: 191	Thanks Unclenick for your thoughtful response.