I recently killed my first deer. I used Perfecta .243 win 100 grain soft points. I chose this ammo because it is accurate in my rifle. I put 10 rounds of this in a group measuring 1.5" across the widest point, center to center. Zeroed about 2" high with the most accurate load I have tested (Winchester 80 grain softpoints), the Perfecta is dead on at 100. I figured that since it is accurate and can be used with the same zero, with 20 grains more weight it would be the best choice for deer.
I shot my deer in the neck, near the neck/shoulder junction. It did what it was supposed to do, and he fell dead instantly. There was no exit wound, and very little blood- none on the ground and barely a splotch on the wound.
I tried to find the bullet in the hide, but there were no remnants of a bullet to see. Not even a fragment of the jacket. There was a double handfull of shredded bone, congealed tissue and coagulated blood where the bullet struck, and inside of that mess I only saw a few shiny, almost translucent flakes. The esophagus and trachaea were intact. Most of the damaged meat was opposite the side of the impact. I suppose that bullet turned to dust when it hit the spine. I did shoot him at pretty close range, probably about 80 yards.
The 100 grain Perfecta soft points are obviously not a choice where penetration is important. They are accurate, and they do a lot of damage. I am not sure if a hit in the shoulder would have been as lethal as this hit in the neck.
I figure, as long as you pick your shots, the ammo is fine as long as it's accurate. I have no doubt it will expand from longer distances. But up close, the neck or spine is probably your only shot.
As for me, I am going to test a few other loads. I would have preferred to see at least see part of the jacket intact, and I am afraid to attempt anything other than a neck shot this close based on what I have read about bullet performance. I also don't think I'd use it on game bigger or tougher than whitetail deer.
Obviously, I am working with very limited experience. It would be helpful to me, if you share your experiences with other .243 loads on deer and make some recommendations, on both handloads and factory ammo. Thanks in advance!

I have had good luck with Rem core lokts and Win power point. 100 grain

What the F is a Perecta??

Sorry i didn't get pictures of the mess inside. I dressed my deer during my lunch break today, and I couldn't leave it in the freezer at tve check in any longer, so I was in a bit of a rush to debone it and get it home. I tried to follow a video to dress/debone it, but i didnt have time so i used the common sense method. So I have a couple roasts, backstraps/tenderloins intact as well- the rest is too ugly for anything but stew meat! But i sure it will taste good. I already made stew with the neck meat I could save and it turned out great.

I knew I was going to get some grief without pictures.

Ive shot a lot of deer with the 100gr Corelokt and never had bullet performance like that at any range. I agree you need to find a better bullet. In addition to the Corelokts I've had good results with Winchester 95 gr Ballistic Silvertips and Hornady 95gr SST loads. We have two .243s and they're both loaded with the Hornady right now. In my 7-08 I used Federal Fusion 120gr with devastating results last week-you might test the .243 Fusion load too. Good luck!

Never really used a 243 until this year. Loaded up some 100gr Hornady interlocks with IMR 4350. High school kid that I take hunting bagged a nice 10 point and a doe. Good exit holes, massive chest trauma. Seems to be a good bullet for the money.

I have not been able to get Corelokt. Ever since just before deer season, the local stores have not been able to keep up with the demand for remington corelokt in this caliber! There must be a reason for that. I have some federal fusion leftover, but it doesn't group well in my rifle. I also have some federal powershock 100 grain soft points but I haven't taken them to the range yet so I really can't use them with a clean conscience. I am hoping to find time for a coyote hunt soon, i think the Perfecta load will work great for that!

I know im a broken record... but here I go again.

I mostly hunt and will be getting into more target shooting as time goes on. The bar none best bullet I have found for on game performance within my shot distance needs is a nosler partition, they always perform, they always penetrate.

The same shot you made on that buck with a 60 grain Nosler Partition out of a 223 would have likely ended in the same end result and a complete pass through. I have neck, head, shoulder, high point of the shoulder, behind the shoulder, and gut shot south texas deer and hogs up to 200 lbs and have yet to recover a bullet from an animal or have an animal that didn't leave a trackable blood trail to where it died.

The one gut shot was on a large doe, she traveled A LONG WAY after being hit if I had to hazard a guess over 500 yards. We had enough of a blood trail to track and find her piled up dead within a few hours.

They are not cheap, they are not BC stars, but they are darn good hunting bullets.

Regular Guy, I wish you were closer. I have a partial box of Corelokt and would give you some to test with.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/134615/...point-box-of-20

Looks like you can get a $5 rebate if you buy two boxes.

I am gonna hold what I've got for the season. Although they didn't group well for me, the Fusion hits the same POI as the Perfecta and it still groups well enough for 100 yards and in.
Hunting small game, shot placement rules all. Accuracy used to be the only thing that mattered to me. This short time deer hunting and this first kill has taught me a lot. I have learned a lot reading the forum as well.
I appreciate ya'll for taking the time to reply, and for the other posts and threads as well. The information and the pictures ya'll share helped me to build the confidence to take that low neck shot.
I will probably spend the money for the Partitions next season. I'd like to get a black bear tag, and I suppose the 100 grain Partition is my best bet for a deer and bear load. They are expensive, but a box will easily get me through dialing in the scope, plus a couple of seasons hunting. I wasn't thinking about that when I was stocking up on the least expensive loads that my rifle liked.
Meanwhile i have plenty of ammo for target practice and varmint hunting, and I will have plenty of brass when I get a Lee Loader I am still gonna test Corelokts for accuracy after deer season.
Thanks again for taking the time to reply!

I shot the federal fusion in my 243 when I bought it. They would not group for me either.

I don't remember if it was on this forum or another but last year I read something that discussed why the Remington 243 was so hard to find. If I recall correctly, the gist was that since 243 is mainly a hunting round, Remington will make up a batch in time for deer season and then doesn't make any more until the following year. So that's why you start seeing a bunch of it in late summer and then by Thanksgiving it vanishes from the shelves and you don't see it again until the following year. Since that's what we use in my kids rifle, as soon as it starts showing up at Academy, I'll pick up a box or two every time I happen to be in the store. By the time hunting season starts, I will have a couple of boxes that I can leave up at the lease and four or five boxes that we can use at the range for practice.

Someone posted similar information about the 35 whelen corelokt load if i recall correctly.

243 is one of the most popular cartriges in America I am all but certain that the major ammo makers, Remington included, are not making seasonal runs of 100 grain core locks, one of the most popular hunting rounds in the country.

I use a speer 90grain softpiont hotcore. cannt get a better dear killer

I use and have good luck with a Sierra 85gr bthp. IMR powder 4831 and 200 CCI primers. Knocks them down and I can connect bullet holes on paper out to 150 yards.