I would like to hear your opinions on this bullet out of a 243 Win as a dual purpose (mostly varmint and Small big game). If not this one which one? Sierra says this is a very tough slug.

I just love Sierras but the 6mm's are already small. Why not just use a premium bullet. If there ever was a reason for one this is it!

Of course almost any bullet from a 6mm, within range, will make quite a hole in an animal but it's nice to have them penetrate so there is a trail to follow.

Is this enough reason?


5 shots at 200 yards
Sierra 85 HPBT

Those 85 grain Sierras will whack a deer like a hitman on PCP. I keep a .243 with this load ready for every deer season.

Steve,

No that's not enough reason. Almost any Sierra bullet will shoot like that from a decent 6mm. The 100 gr SPT in fact is also very accurate.

There is deer hunting and then there is deer shooting. If one has a year round crop damage permit and you have room in the vehicle for another carcass then poping a doe broadside when it's looking the other way just fine for border line tools.

But even then one can carry more than one load and the 85 gr Sierra HP does not have that good a ballistic coefficient at all for varmint hunting and may richocet more than a bullet that's not Game King rated. So no it's not a perfect choice for all around use.

I am hunting coyotes here but the bear season opened last week so I am loading the 120 VMax in the rifle and heavier loads in another pocket. Should a black bear come to the call I will change ammo and shoot it with a Partition. That's what I am getting at.

The right bullet for the game at a particular range is perhaps the most informed thing we can do. Cartridges in themselves are just fun to look at.

I shoot them in my 6mm Rem at 3200 fps. The 120 lb(dressed) doe I shot last year went 20 yds.I hit her at 25 yds and took out two ribs on the near side and the bullet lodged in the opposite shoulder.They are a pretty tough bullet.