243 energy

[elevatorman]

So with my 7 rem mag I am used to never tracking whitetails. I always shoot high shoulder and its lights out, they fall over. But that guns pushing 162 eldxs at 3150ish.

im considering taking a 243 hunting this year and would be shooting 100gr interlocks, factory ammo. All I have time for at the moment. I hunt a slim piece of national forest on top of a mountain where not tracking a deer for an extended period is beneficial.

Does anyone have any experience with high shoulder CNS shots with a 243 on whitetail? Does it have the energy or should I consider heart shots only or just take the 7 to get it done?

 

[NoWiser]

Double lung and you won’t be tracking for an extended period of time. You’ll have a good blood trail, too.

 

[Steelsearchin]

Worked for my kid last year just fine.

 

[kodiakisland]

Have never tracked a CNS shot regardless of cartridge used. I've also had one of my longest tracking jobs be from a .375 H&H.
I'd worry more about bullet quality and placement than I would about what name is stamped on the case or the diameter of the bullet.

Most everyone says a .243 is great for women and kids, so I guess it just depends on who is pulling the trigger.

 

[Jnasa]

My wife has taken several deer with her 243 win. One was a spine but all of the others were heart shots. Most dropped one had a short trail. Several does, smaller buck, and one large bodied 8 point.

2 were shot using 100 grain federal factory soft point. The rest were with 85 grain Barnes TSX.

Depending on the load I think you get 1,000 ft lbs out to 400. We always try to keep the shorts inside 300 yards though.

I’ve never seen a problem using it as long as you do your job and you have a good bullet.

 

[slatebuilder]

My daughter just dumped an elk in its tracks with a 100 grain interlock. You’ll be fine with deer.

 

[GlockZ]

I use a 243 occasionally for deer, 80gr. TTSX bullet. They don't make it too far, if at all.

 

[F250]

High shoulder out to 300 yards with.243 soft points will not be a problem in my experience.

 

[TN2shot07]

I’ve never been a shoulder shot guy but I wouldn’t have any worries with a 243. I’ve seen plenty of deer not make it far or at all with good old core lokts, power points, ttsx, and my current favorite 95 grain ballistic tips.

 

[FlyingEagle]

243 works great for my son. 2025 Youth hunt, First buck, 140yds, federal trophy copper, quartering away, ran 30 yds, great blood, bullet passed through

 

[devon deer]

I use a 243 occasionally for deer, 80gr. TTSX bullet. They don't make it too far, if at all.

Thats what I use on stags, but not past 200 yards

 

[6mm Remington]

I have shot a LOT of pronghorn antelope and mule deer with a 6mm Remington. It is deadly on them and I have also taken one elk with my 6mm Remington. It's a great cartridge for deer, antelope sized game. Go forth using good bullets and it will work great.

I have complete confidence in the 100 gr. Nosler Partition, 90 gr. Nosler E-tip, and 90 gr. Nosler Accubond.

 

[D4570]

Drop down to 95 or 90 gr Barnes or hammer bullets and ramp up the 243. Check the energy tables, it makes a 243 an outstanding deer round. I shoot a 6mm Rem and with an 85 gr TTSX Barnes at 3600. It's lights out on deer as far as 450 yards.

 

[mevertsen]

My experience is with...

100 grain Pro Hunters
95 grain SST's (poor shot which resulted in a less than desirable result)
95 Grain Ballistic tips
70 grain Hammer Hunters.

Deer, Sheep, Antelope.

I would use any of the bullets listed for any of the critters, but will stick with the HH for the time being.

 

[devon deer]

Drop down to 95 or 90 gr Barnes or hammer bullets and ramp up the 243. Check the energy tables, it makes a 243 an outstanding deer round. I shoot a 6mm Rem and with an 85 gr TTSX Barnes at 3600. It's lights out on deer as far as 450 yards.

The TTSX is a brilliant bullet, my 80g knocks down huge stags, equivalent to, and sometimes bigger than a mule deer buck, I just don't push the distance.
We can't use any lead bullets anymore as the game dealers won't buy them.

 

[elevatorman]

Thanks guys. Got it sighted in yesterday. Think I'll be good to go.

Mostly was wondering since I don't trust my muzzleloader with a high shoulder shot and the 243 is new to me. Was a treat to sight in. No recoil at all. Looks like itll be a fun gun to put rounds through and hunt with

 

[elevatorman]

My ultimate goal is to make the 243 a varmit gun with 87 gr vmaxs, but if deer hunting is how im getting it in out in the field this year then that's what itll do

 

[D4570]

You will never get a load out of a 243 that is fur friendly, but the kill coyotes lights out. Try a 55 gr ballistic tip or varmageddon for coyotes...

 

[Darkside]

That's a good bullet and more than capable cartridge.
Do exactly what you do with your 7RM. And it will do the same job.

 

[T.R.]

.243 bullets cause much tissue damage when the shot is placed behind the shoulder into the chest organs. TR