.243 Bullet choice

[Sitting Bull]

Good day all, Well was cleaning my rifles today and noticed that I haven't used my Tikka .243 in years. I have no bullets for it. Now that I have learned how to reload, I would like to know what those of you that have experience with this caliber would recommend for a great deer bullet. Do I go with a solid Like Barnes or a cup and core etc...
So where do I start? I am using IMR4350 in my 30-06 so it would be nice to stay with the same powder if possible.
Thanks for the help.

[ram crazy]

I use 100 gr. Speer boattail bullets. 43 gr. of IMR 4831

[Dick284]

90 grain Accubond.

[Maxwell78]

95 gr partition

[bushbug]

100 grain Sierra boat tail 40.7 he IMR 4350 works excellent for me

[bushbug]

100 grain Sierra boat tail 40.7 grIMR 4350 works excellent for me

[Smokinyotes]

Originally Posted by Dick284

90 grain Accubond.

This. From my experience accubonds are pretty tough to beat.

[brewster29]

After having several bullet failures on game with standard cup and core in my 6mm Rem I started loading 100 gr Partitions. It became an excellent killer with those.

[Twisted Canuck]

When I had one, I really liked the 100 gr partitions for deer. The IMR4350 will work with that.

[NicoyaHunt]

100 grain Sierra boat tail 40.5 gr IMR 4350 this is good for me

[6.5 shooter]

100 gr. Nosler Partitions for big game.

85gr. Sierra BTHP for varmints, or BTSP for fur

[birdseye]

Just curious if the 243 would be acceptable for wolves,and what weight bullet,I’m sure to lite could make a mess

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by birdseye

Just curious if the 243 would be acceptable for wolves,and what weight bullet,I’m sure to lite could make a mess

A Berger 68 gr varmint out of my 6mm did it to two of them. One was a real mess. It was a broadside shot and hit a bit forward. The other was like brand new.. hit front-on in the brisket at about 3300 TV , They kill, but no guarantee on salvaging a decent pelt. These days I would use a TTSX around 100 grs. and slow down the MV for that application

[Backwoods Runner]

I’ve got a wide range of Bullets to try in it. Just send me the tikka and I’ll scope er up and develop a load. And may return it in a few years. Lol. Kidding aside. 100gr Sierra boat tails. Good on everything from yotes to black bears. Just have to remember it’s a .243 not a 300 win smasher mag.

[David Henry]

A bit of a moot point now with Remington closing their doors, but I bought some Remington bulk 100 grain Core Lokt bullets back when they were available. I have found them to work very well in my Ruger #1 and Tikka rifles, they have also held up well on whitetail deer.

[WildCats]

Originally Posted by Dick284

90 grain Accubond.

Yup. Or the 80 gr TTSX.

[Pioneer2]

Wolves with a deer bullet

[honda610]

I load 3 rounds for my .243 rifles. Reduced 55 grain ballistic tip for youth and practice. I got a pile of them for cheap back in the day. 80 grain nosler ballistic tip for varmint killing. And a 100gr Hornady interlocks for deer. I have used 4350 with great success. It's an awsomenround when loaded with the right bullet and used within its limit.

[Quest206]

I've shot a lot of deer in the past 25 years using Barnes 85 gr XLC over 43 gr IMR 4350

[krthegunslinger]

Originally Posted by WildCats

Yup. Or the 80 gr TTSX.

I second this one. Or GMX

[graybeard]

Originally Posted by WildCats

Yup. Or the 80 gr TTSX.

X 3.....good choice....

[Redneck 7]

I reload for 2 rifles in .243. My deer rifle I use varget and 100 gr nosler partitions, but due to the fact it’s hard to find 100 bullets I may be switching to 95 gr partitions. Seems everyone has those in stock.

I also have a .243 for varmints and as of recently target and long range, for varmints I have 55 gr nosler varmegedons over top of varget. Haven’t used this on wolves yet, but I’m sure they’ll do the trick. Other load is 108 gr hornady eldm over top of H4350. I mention this load because of your powder choice and my rifle likes 4530 with this heavy bullet. Do a proper work up with your 4350 and you would be fine.

[Steelhorse Cowboy]

95 gr Nosler Partition work great....haven't used the 100 as I havent found them also.
The Bergers are deadly too but touchy (if you can get them to shoot).

[Steyr Luxus]

For big game use a heavy for caliber bullet. Is you rifle a standard twist barrel? if so you are limited to 105 Gr pill. As such Nosler partition 95 or 10 Gr partition would be my choice. The Berger 105 Gr VLD which I have used also does a good job.

[Sitting Bull]

OK! this is what I got so far. Hornady 95gr SST they gave me groups of .292"-.5"
And Speer 100gr BTSP gave me .650-.702"
Not bad at all. I am happy with both. Out of these 2 what would perform best on deer? if neither, then I will go to Nosler Hornady 100gr interlock BTSP or right to Barnes. I guess the determining factor will be availability. I am heading to P&D to see what they got.
Thanks for the help guys.

[Backwoods Runner]

I’d stick with the Speer. I couldn’t get them to shoot that good in my gun.

[Sitting Bull]

Cant find Speers in Edmonton, Not Cabela"s or P&D. I bought the interlocks.

[Tikka300]

I have had good results with the 100gr sierra game king and IMR 4831 or 4064. My gun was finicky at the start and sierra e-mailed me their go to load with 4064, it was lights out. I did end up finding more speed with 4831 but not a drastic difference.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Sitting Bull

Cant find Speers in Edmonton, Not Cabela"s or P&D. I bought the interlocks.

you wont be disappointed. good luck. the .243 is at about the right speed to totally make 100% use of this bullets energy.