I would like to know if anyone has ever used federal 85 grain triple shock in .243 for whitetail. If so, did they do enough damage or were they not that good? What other .243 cartridges have you used for hunting and how did they do? Thanks for any information.

I've taken 3-4 deer with .243 100 gr. and it works. But when I moved up to a .270 they fell harder and faster. My very favorite is .257 Roberts in hi-mag 117 grains.

I've used .243 for mulies, whitetails, and pronghorns, but never such a light bullet. I've been pleased with Federal Premium's, 100 gr, Nosler Partitions.

I have shot several deer with a 243. I used Hornady's 87 gr. bullets with great success. Last year an Axis deer buck fell to the 243 using 85 gr. Barnes TSX bullets. All were one shot kills. I reload all my own ammo.

On large bodied whitetails the 243 with the very best bullets is effective out to moderate range. As velocity drops so does its impact. Without going into long anecdotes lets just say that it is prudent to limit your range, pick your shots and place those little bullets sugically (which of course you shoud anyway). I have used the 243 on occasion but generally shoot a 270 or 7x57 for deer of either species.
On smaller deer I am sure what you are suggesting would be very effective. Good luck and good hunting!

Inuit in the Arctic use .223 for caribou.

Its not the weapon it's shot placement if you practise enough and perfect your shooting you can use what you want to take game.

I cant verify the TSX but I can verify the 85 grain XLC Barnes....

I am not a Barnes fan generally, but in this caliber this bullet out performs the Nosler Partition quite a bit 'in my opinion'.... others may have different results...

Still, if one goes the Non Premium road....

the 90 and 105 grain Speer are two of my favorite,

followed by the 85 grain HP Sierra,

and a throttled down 90 or 95 grain Ballistic tip....

followed by the 87 grain Hornady, my preference of the Hollow Point over the SP...but both do a good job...

AS said above, putting the bullet in the right spot, followed by the type of bullet is key to performance and results...MV play a distance third place...

A fast moving fragile bullet is dicey....

as is a slow moving bullet that is too hard for the game being hunted...

Another who can't verify the TSX, but can verify the 85gr Barnes. Also, the 85gr Nosler Partition is excellent. In the cheaper rounds, never had a problem with the 105gr Speer.

My dad bought me a 243 when I was just starting to hunt on my own as a kid. I have killed probably close to 30 deer with it in the years that have followed. I've found the 100 or 105 gr bullets seem to work best. All loads were factory and even the 85 grs work well but I prefer a heavier bullet in the lighter cal. Any premium bullet will work just fine.

As a side note, I shoot a 22-250 now with 55 gr bullets for deer.

My luck with the 6mm cartridges has been excellent. I have used bullets from 80 grains to 105 grains and so far and around 25 deer and antelope, mostly mulies I have never had to shoot anything twice. As for the 85 grain Barnes TSX I bought a box qa while ago but haven't tried them yet.

quote:

What other .243 cartridges have you used for hunting and how did they do?

On small deer I've taken them w/ 80 or 100 Rem CLs.

It's definitely about the lightest rifle I would feel comfortable shooting small deer. I've seen deer hit w/ .243 cover alot of ground and bleed very little w/ what looked to be good hits. OTH, I've seen them DRT as well w/ it. I bet the 85 TS through the shoulders would be quite effective.

Good Luck

Reloader

I have been loading the 105 Speer for .243 for over 25 years for my father. He has taken over 120 deer with that particular bullet in that time.

I love the .243 and use it exclusively when culling some does of the farm I hunt. I prefer the 100 gr NP over anything else I have tried.

AzdeerSlayer
I sorry all these guys don't anwser your question, but just wax on about their experinces. It seams the NP guys have the largest inferiorty complex about the TSX.
The Barnes 85gr TSX is the premier bullet for the 243 win.. It kills Whitetail, mule deer, and elk very well.
Also Ty Herring who is the Balistic Brains at Barnes bullets, hunts Whitetail with the .243 85gr TSX, and I guess he could hunt with any bullet he wants to.
Good Hunting
DR B

Dr.B no need to say your sorry for any of us. It is apperent none of us used the federal 85 grain triple shock factory rounds, but if you read his post you would of noticed he asked about other stuff we used. But I did give him an answer about the TSX bullets, but mine were reloads not factory loads.

(Quote)
"What other .243 cartridges have you used for hunting and how did they do?"

What do you guys think is the maximum distance the 85gr. TSX can be used to kill coues whitetail

quote:

What do you guys think is the maximum distance the 85gr. TSX can be used to kill coues whitetail

I'd be happy to try it as far away as I could reliably put every bullet through the heart/lung area when shooting from field positions.

quote:

Originally posted by paa:
Inuit in the Arctic use .223 for caribou.

Yes & they head shoot them & they use them for polar bear too, so that makes the .223 a bear rifle? Man I really get tired of hearing those kinds of analogies.
I have no quarrel w/ guys using varmint calibers for deer size game but there are better alternatives.

AzDeer Hunter
For a new member you sure did start a good thread. What have you decided?

I think that I will end up trying the 85 gr. TSX this deer season. That is if I can get lucky enough to draw a tag.

quote:

Originally posted by AzDeerSlayer:
What do you guys think is the maximum distance the 85gr. TSX can be used to kill coues whitetail?

(emphasis mine).

Ahhhh, now we get to the real question. What would we do without forums? When I first picked up on the topic, I assummed you were referring to the true (my opinion) trophy whitetails of the desert, the Coues. To "kill" a Coues, and at what maximum distance...well, having hunted side by side with a (very good hunter/shot) with his .243 for years, I'd say the little 85 TSX will "kill" a small whitetail at 600+ yards with a well placed bullet. But, will you find it? That is a good question. Despite the fact that you might deflate the lungs, that deer may run a long way. For example:

quote:

Its not the weapon it's shot placement if you practise enough and perfect your shooting you can use what you want to take game.

(emphasis mine)

This statement is true, however I've watched 2 other hunters TAKE a deer that was already shot with my friend's 243. The deer just had enough gas to keep running even though it had a nice hole in both lungs. My hunting companion shot it at close distance, but it ran over to another hunting property and 2 other guys saw a deer running so they dumped it.

I think the 243 will kill a deer just fine, but dumping it where it stands means precise shot placement. I also think the TSX is an excellent choice. My friend took a nice antelope doe this past season with some 95 grain Btips I loaded up for him. Shot was over 200 yards. Antelope made it about 30 yards.

quote:

Originally posted by AzDeerSlayer:
I think that I will end up trying the 85 gr. TSX this deer season. That is if I can get lucky enough to draw a tag.

AZ, I've killed a pile of whitetail with my .243. Since I started using Barnes (just the regular X and XLC in 85 and 90g) I have dropped the majority of them in their tracks. Most were shot between 50 and 100 yards, but three years ago I shot one at 300 yards and the bullet completely exited. The buck did run after being shot, but I could see blood coming out both sides of him through my scope! He only went 25 yards before piling up.

I would not hesitate to use a .243 on whitetail. Good hunting.

MG

quote:

Originally posted by fredj338:

I have no quarrel w/ guys using varmint calibers for deer size game but there are better alternatives.

So, you're saying a 243 is a varmint size caliber? Obviously, you've never shot a whitetail with a 243; therefore, if you don't have any experience, then you shouldn't put your neck out on a limb like this!

Nope graybird I haven't, but I don't feel I'm going out n a limb either. There are many things I haven't done because I have whatched others do it & decided it wasn't for me (like ride my motorcycle w/o a helmet). Hunting deer size game w/ a .22 CF or .243 is one of them. I have no problem w/ guys that want to use a mouse gun for deer, but I don't really like to track game after the shot & I have had & have had friends that guide, track many deer & antelope shot well w/ the .243. Usually the problem comes from the wrong choice of bullet or tying to stretch the shot past a sure distance, but sometimes it's just too small a hole. Bigger bullets, bigger holes, quicker kills.
There are much better rounds for deer & antelope. A .270 has almost no recoil & everyone can agree it is a much more decisive deer round that can allow a shot at longer distance or bad angles. Hunt w/ one if you like, but if you hunt long enough, it will let you down. If you are really recoil shy, a .260 offers near .270 perf. in a round that is a bit more capable than the .243 or .22-250 IMO.
I usually don't chime in unless I have first hand exp., I only responded because of the silly statement paa made. With solid logic like that we could all just by an AR15 to hunt the world with.

My Son-In-Law got 2 big does last year with his .243 and 85TSX loads. Neither went over 20 yards and one of them was spooked and really nervous. I got a coyote broadsides with mine and it put him down in his tracks, so I'm not worried about it opening up on light game. I'll probably do most of my deer hunting with my .250 Savage or .257 Roberts, but that's because I just like them better, no slight to the .243.

I have been involved for many years, in hunting with folks using anything from the 22 Hornet and up to the 458 to hunt whitetails. Personnally, I don't like the 243, but in the hands of someone that uses it within its limitations and their own, it will get the job done. Of course, with most hunting/shooting of deer in Texas, done at a hundred yards or less, while setting at what is basically a bench rest, watching a deer eat corn, a lot of calibers could be used that would provide adequate performance. I know of a lot of folks that have killed deer with all of the various 224 centerfires. I have kileed one with a 22 Hornet. One of the only deer I ever lost, that I know I hit, was with that same 22 Hornet.

I just think that there are better guns, the 243 is better than the 224 CF's. The 7x57, 270, 308, 30-06, to me are all better choices than the 243.

As others have stated, with the proper bullets and loads, and working within the limits of the round and the fool pulling the trigger, a 243 will get the job done, there is just a smaller window of error than with larger calibers. JMHO

Well said crazyhorse.

If a .243 is going to be used ,use a 95-100 grain bullet that works good. For many years Norma had the 105 grain speer softpoint ,and now they have the 100 grain Oryx bullet . But there is several other good cartridges to use than to be marginal on a hunt.

quote:

I would like to know if anyone has ever used federal 85 grain triple shock in .243 for whitetail.

I've used 85 grains....not the monos mind you.

Damn things work fine.

I no longer use a 6MM or 243 but several friends do and I can assure they work well. Most use 100 grain bullets however.

I've moved up to the 6.5 caliber as it gives me a little better chance if I come upon a nice buck offering me something other than a broadside shot. However the 243 is among the most impressive deer killers I've witnessed ever...and I've seen a few.

Redhawk
Thanks for pointing out the question of the original poster. It never amazes me how the guys that love to be criticle don't take there own advice.

quote:

Originally posted by AzDeerSlayer:
What do you guys think is the maximum distance the 85gr. TSX can be used to kill coues whitetail

I would check the ballistic tables in the Barnes reloading manual for that weight bullet. I would guess you would have no problems out to 200yds, but I know Coues hunting can mean shooting much further.

Gidday Vapodog,

I'm with you all the way. I don't wish to brag but I have taken between 4 & 500 hundred reds with a 243. No problems with 90 gr speers and my hunting mate has done the same with 85 gr hp sierras.

I now use a 260 because it does give me the opportunity to take shots at less than optimal angles.

I made the change not because of a problem with the 243 but because my advancing years (my eyes ain't what they used to be) mean that sometimes I don't get the opportunity to get myself into the best position for a shot,

I therefore make the contention that those who would berate the 243 are either inadequate hunters who are unable to get themselves into a good position for a shot or are like me, too physically infirm to do so lol

Really, I'm not going to denegrate someone for doing something differently from me but I ask them please don't infer that I'm wrong for doing something that works for me.

There are a few of us old guys here who have learned that there is more than one way to skin a cat. Don't give them a hard time for sharing their experience.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

For small coues deer the standard cup and core designs from 80 grains and up work fine as they do on the average under 200 pound whitetails. My experience with coues deer hunting and the country they live in is that once you shoot a deer the main problem, especially at the longer ranges is finding them even if they drop on the spot. The rocks and brush all look the same. Same problem with antelope in high sagebrush. Light recoiling rifles make it easier to stay focused on the spot the animal was shot. The longest range I would say a really good shot should take a shot at a coues deer is 300 yards or less no matter the cartridge.

My son uses a .243 as his primary deer rifle, usually with 100 gr NP. The .243 has taken everything from 100# does to 400# hogs.

Most of the shots were 100-150 yard shots and we have noticed that majority of the impacts do NOT show an exit wound. This phenominum did lead to having a @200# deer (hit broadside with a solid lung shot) hit @ 150 yards being lost due to lack of blood trail. We had 5 people searching for 6 hours and no blood detected at all, after the initial droplets just off the sendero.

While I agree through that the .243 is capable of killing deer sized game, in heavy brush country where tracking becomes difficult, I would like something that pokes a bigger hole.

just my two cents.

Larger cartridges do not gaurantee a blood trail and neither do exit holes. I have had better results on deer with corelokts, Hornady Spire points and Sierra Gamekings than I did when I was in my Nosler Partition phase. More internal damage beats a little exit hole every time.

I haven't used the 85gr TSX as I haven't felt in necessary. I shoot a lot of white tail sized fallow out to 200yards with variously 85gr speer BTSP, 87gr Hornady SP and 90gr Nosler BT. All work extremely well. Exits are not guarenteed but given a shot to the vital from a conventional angle and a short pause in follow up (ie don't run up to the shot deer) you will find a deer of 150lb and under (that is ready for the larder) within 50yards.

It is a pleasure to shoot - I have 6.5s, 7s and a 30 but I can shoot the 243/6mms better and this does help my placement.

They are NOT for unconsidered moving or poor angle shots.

I am not saying that the .243 will not kill deer, it will and has for many years.

I do not agree that " more internal damagage beats an exit hole every time", I have seen too many whitetails run more than 100 yards with lungs/heart shot to shreds. I like to see blood pumping out both sides, the more the better.

What I am advocating is to pick the caliber for the intended purpose. In my opinion (I know, I know) the .243 while perfectly capable of killing deer is not my choice to use in areas where cover or terrain makes tracking deer without a blood trail difficult.

Just my 2 cents.

I wrote more internal damage beats a "little" exit hole every time which is what the partitions did for me from my 6MM's. I have shot deer with much larger cartridges that did go thru and also left little or no blood to follow. My 45-70 is a good example of a large dartridge that did not kill deer quickly with heart/lung hits, always exits and does way less internal damage than the 6MM I often hunt with. The caliber size exit holes mostly bleed very little unless they are low in the chest. If you are worried about tracking avoid it by hitting your deer in the neck in front of and slightly below the shoulder blade. In defense of the 45-70 I started using 300 grain hollow points and it became a sudden killer on deer giving large exit holes that leak a lot of blood.

I would hunt deer with a 243 if that is all i had, but I prefer knock down power.

One year my buddy and I were hunting mulies. We spotted a good buck step out around 300 yards away. He was just about to shoot it with his 243 when he paused and asked to use my 30'06 instead. I handed it to him and he smoked the deer. I guess his confidence waned at the last second. Of course...Barnes claims you could shoot an mammoth with a 22 as long as you are using their bullets.