.243 bullet selection

I got a .243 for my GF to hunt with. the guy that built the rifle recommended 105gr Burger VLDs or 95gr Hornady SSTs. I've also read of people having good luck with the 95gr federal fusion ammo as well.

I have no experience with burger bullets, is the VLD a good hunting round?

I am a little weary of the SSTs because of mixed/bad experiences w/ my .308. I have had excellent luck though when i switched to the A-maxs.

thoughts?

First, what twist rate is the barrel? That will help determine if you can run the 105's. The 105 Hunting VLD needs a 1:8" twist, or faster. If it will work in your rifle, it would make a great hunting bullet. I have loaded many of the 87 grain VLD hunting bullets with great results and good feed back from customers. The 87 grain VLD will work in a 10" twist, but best for a 9" twist.

On the Berger VLD's as a hunting round. The VLD's are known for dramatic expansion with some fragmentation that creates massive and nasty wound channels. It is VERY effective on game at anchoring them quickly. In the process, it does tear up a lot of meat. So, if you are meat hunting, you will have some meat loss. Some don't like this, but others want this.

I've always been a big fan of the Hornady SST. I think it's a great bullet for the cost and performance of it. I've never had a bad experience with it. The A-max's are a great dual purpose bullet- great match bullet and a great hunting bullet. I've used them for both.

For hunting, the Barnes 80 gr. TTSX has worked well for me.

9O gr Sirocco and same weight accubond have worked very well for hunting.

The 105 work great

Another is the 90 accubond

The shock of bullets at that speed play a big factor in my imo.

95gr BTips!

85 grain Gameking HPBT.

Been very impressed with sierra 100 grain prohunters out of mine so far.

Will be using some hornady 100 grain spbt's I got free this year for experimentation. When they are all gone will likely go to a 85-100 grain partition.

The Sierra 100 BTSP Game King is a great bullet. Accurate, good expansion, and pretty good BC as well. It would be hard to beat as a do everything bullet. Or the Hornady 100 BTSP, either one. The 95 Berger Hunting is supposed to be optimized for the 1:9ish twist that Remington is using. Myself I am not a real big fan of the SST, but that is just me. I really like the 87 VMAX as a coyote bullet, it has about the best BC of any of the lighter weight bullets, except a Berger.

the barrel is 1:9" RH

Accubonds are simply hard to beat!

+1 on the 90 gr accubonds. I'm also partial to the 90 and 95 gr Nosler BT's as well as the 85gr partitions. All will dump a deer quickly in the barrel you're working with.

I've had great luck with the Hornady 95gr SSTs and the 100gr SPBTs. But ultimately, you should use what shoots well out of your rifle and what you have confidence in.

X2 on the Sierra Game Kings, Really great bullet and not too expensive. I have taken many speed goats with that bullet.

My current fave, now that Hornady discontinued the 100 gr. flat base...

My favorite also.