243 & 80, 90 gr Hot Cores

31 July 2004, 04:30

K14

Anybody had any experience with either of these 2 bullets on whitetails? I have shot 100 gr for years with 100% success. Just wondering how the lighter bullets might perform.
Thanks

31 July 2004, 10:23

B17G

The 90 grain HOT core is an excellent bullet for whitetail.

I can not answer that on the 80 grain bullet, unless you are talking the single shot 80 grain style bullets. It all has to do with construction of the bullet for its intended purpose.

I have seen 80 grain single shots work just fine in contenders etc. I have also seen Winchesters 80 grain SP work well on Blacktail deer, which are about 75 to 90 pounds on average.

HOt Core and Magtips do a good job.

Cheers and Good shooting
seafire

31 July 2004, 13:35

Hot Core

Quote:

The 90 grain HOT core is an excellent bullet for whitetail....

Hey K14, I completely agree with Seafire.

When I say the following Bullets are excellent Deer Killers, that means I've taken as a minimum 25 Deer with that Bullet and a whole lot more than that with some of them. This is in no particular order.

100gr Hornady Flat Bases
85gr, 95gr, 100gr Nosler Partitions
95gr, 100gr Nosler B-Tips
100gr Nosler Solid Bases
100gr Remington PSPs
and I'm sure some 100gr Sierras but right now I don't remember if they were ProHunters or GameKings

My current 243Win Deer Bullet is the 90gr Speer Hot-Cor. In my particular rifle it is very accurate and kills as well as any 100gr Bullet I've used.

I have used the 80gr Hot-Cors on Coyote size critters with excellent effect, but not tried them on Deer.

Shot selection with the 243Win should always have the Point-of-Impact in the forward 1/3 of the Deer. As long as you do not take "Gut Shots"(raking) or shots at the "Wrong End"(rear 2/3s), all the above Bullets will Kill Deer.

A 243Win does not normally make a very large Entrance or Exit. Due to this it is quite often that the innards tend to "cover the holes" and can prevent a good Blood Trail. So, if you are Hunting in really thick stuff, a Shoulder-to-shoulder Shot or a Spine shot(from above) helps drop them in their tracks.

If shooting at the Shoulder, try to keep the shot in the lower 1/3 of the Deer as well as the Forward 1/3. If you can do that, and "if" the Deer does run off aways, your chances of a Blood Trail are enhanced.

Best of luck to you.

11 September 2004, 07:57

Cal Sibley

I shoot mainly the VihtaVoyuri powders that 1894 doesn't. In my smaller .224 calibers VV133 performs admirably. At benchrest matches you'll find it's the preferred powder of most 6mm PPC users. I also use VV550 and VV560 in my 6.5x55, .308Win. and 7mm Rem. Mag. where it also does well. I find all their powders that I've used produce exceptional accuracy and burn cleanly. The affiliated Lapua Scenar bullets are also a cut above. These people are making some great products. Just one mans opinion. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal