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.243 on deer #6095696 12/22/15 02:49 AM
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we have shot 4 deer so far this year all using a .243, we haven't seen blood from any of the deer, luckily they haven't traveled far. My question is do you guys think a .243 has enough power for a deer at a 140 yards? Why would we have not gotten blood from any of the deer?


Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095709 12/22/15 02:54 AM
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Absolutely it is. It's all about shot placement first off. A .243 is plenty big enough.

Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095711 12/22/15 02:55 AM
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Thousands of deer have been killed with the .243. What bullet are you using?

Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095715 12/22/15 02:57 AM
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What Particular ammo,type of bullet,manufacture have you used?
Years back after some minor frustration with basic SP ammo, I found that 100 gr Nosler Partions always worked in the Wifes Remington 700 .243. There 2 deer shot using them, 1 deer blood trail looked like a 3" paint brush went about 40yds(lungs thru and thru)....the other one dropped in it tracks at 80yds (shoulder shot...pole axed it!!!).


The way things should be are not often the way things are.....
Re: .243 on deer [Re: RangerRick] #6095722 12/22/15 03:00 AM
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Indeed. What bullet were you using. The bullet is more important that what is on the headstamp.

Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095727 12/22/15 03:02 AM
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Originally Posted By: jsplinter
we have shot 4 deer so far this year all using a .243, we haven't seen blood from any of the deer, luckily they haven't traveled far. My question is do you guys think a .243 has enough power for a deer at a 140 yards? Why would we have not gotten blood from any of the deer?


Depends high lung shots won't bleed quickly. But more then likely you are using a cup and core bullet not designed to retain lots of weight.

i think the 80gr TTSX by Barnes in the vortex ammo line is best thing that ever happened to the 243.

I've taken deer well past 200yards with a 243


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Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095729 12/22/15 03:02 AM
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We are using fusion 95 grain. I know shot placement. The last one I shot was about 45 yards away and it wasn't a thru and thru. Maybe we just aren't hitting right.


Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095735 12/22/15 03:03 AM
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Used a .243 for years on Mills County WT, and my dad still does. Mainly used 100gr Corelokts but lately are using Hornady 95gr SST. We've probably taken over 200 deer with .243s.


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Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095738 12/22/15 03:04 AM
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Top of lower 1/3, tight behind the shoulder and let gravity do its thing.

Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095739 12/22/15 03:04 AM
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Ok we will stick with and just try to calm the nerves a little..lol


Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095741 12/22/15 03:05 AM
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Thanks everyone...any opinions on the fusion ammo


Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095752 12/22/15 03:10 AM
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I know that the Winchester silver ballistic tip in 95 grain is a dirty little projectile. I have never had a exiting hole as all the energy is spent inside the animal. If shot high shoulder or neck they never move, behind the shoulder they might run about 20-30 yards, no blood trail but DEAD DEER each time! I have looked into and will probably try the Barnes TSX on some hogs this spring to see how they do at longer ranges.

Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095770 12/22/15 03:19 AM
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Originally Posted By: jsplinter
Thanks everyone...any opinions on the fusion ammo


I'm using 115gr in 6.8 SPC and getting pass thrus(and dead deer), and also 120gr in 7mm-08. Three deer have been DRT with the 708 (although two were high-shoulder), another ran 40-50 yards but the blood trail was massive. Until your report I'd been very impressed with the Fusion loads both in accuracy and results.


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Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095785 12/22/15 03:26 AM
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85gr Barnes Vortex never a problem.

Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095791 12/22/15 03:29 AM
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Aside from the one you shot at 45 yards, have you been getting pass-thrus? How big were the exit holes?


Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095794 12/22/15 03:30 AM
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I don't think the fusion expands well, especially at short range



Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095823 12/22/15 03:44 AM
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No, no exit holes other than the close one. That's why I was wondering if maybe We need to step up to a bigger caliber


Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095826 12/22/15 03:45 AM
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With proper shot placement and the right bullet it is a great round! I took a buck at 312 yards last year and he never took a step. My kiddo shot her first buck this year at about 125 is and it dropped in its tracks from a shoulder shot and not a high shoulder shot. I use the ballistic silvertip when not using my berger handloads.


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I have a little bitty one. Think that will do?

Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095840 12/22/15 03:55 AM
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Originally Posted By: jsplinter
No, no exit holes other than the close one. That's why I was wondering if maybe We need to step up to a bigger caliber


the answer, when whitetail are concerned is, rarely yes. put a bullet where its supposed to be, and you will get your deer. thats from .222 all the way up to .458 socom. a .243 is plenty of gun. if you found every deer you shot, then it is doing its job...


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Re: .243 on deer [Re: TFF Caribou] #6095844 12/22/15 03:58 AM
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We have, I am just used to seeing a good blood trail and thought it was weird that we haven't had a blood trail from any of the deer yet. Just blood under them at their final resting place.


Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095847 12/22/15 04:02 AM
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I am not a fan of the Fusion bullet but admittedly my evidence is all anecdotal.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095860 12/22/15 04:18 AM
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There's been plenty of deer killed with a .243, but I prefer at least .30 cal.


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Re: .243 on deer [Re: Catch Dog] #6095864 12/22/15 04:21 AM
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Originally Posted By: Catch Dog
I know that the Winchester silver ballistic tip in 95 grain is a dirty little projectile. I have never had a exiting hole as all the energy is spent inside the animal. If shot high shoulder or neck they never move, behind the shoulder they might run about 20-30 yards, no blood trail but DEAD DEER each time! I have looked into and will probably try the Barnes TSX on some hogs this spring to see how they do at longer ranges.


Exit wounds are a GREAT thing.


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Re: .243 on deer [Re: Catch Dog] #6095903 12/22/15 05:06 AM
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Originally Posted By: Catch Dog
I know that the Winchester silver ballistic tip in 95 grain is a dirty little projectile. I have never had a exiting hole as all the energy is spent inside the animal. If shot high shoulder or neck they never move, behind the shoulder they might run about 20-30 yards, no blood trail but DEAD DEER each time! I have looked into and will probably try the Barnes TSX on some hogs this spring to see how they do at longer ranges.


This is exactly what I've experienced with the Winchester Silver Tips. I've taken two deer (both good-sized bucks) with them, shoulder shots on both. No blood trail, both ran about 30-40 yards and they were both down for the count.

Re: .243 on deer [Re: jsplinter] #6095919 12/22/15 05:32 AM
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Originally Posted By: jsplinter
No, no exit holes other than the close one. That's why I was wondering if maybe We need to step up to a bigger caliber


You said above that the close one "wasn't a thru and thru". If that is true and none of your bullets are exiting then the bullet is coming apart or expanding too much.

There's nothing wrong with the .243 at all -- you don't need anything larger. It sounds as if what you need is ammo with more stoutly constructed bullets. I'd go to a 100 grain bullet and some other brand.

On the other hand, if I'm misunderstanding you and you are getting pass-thrus but no blood, then it's just the opposite -- your bullets aren't expanding ENOUGH.

It's really important for us to understand whether you are getting pass-thrus or not.


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