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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: ljcoach20]
#8884662
07/18/23 07:33 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,054
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,054 |
243 and blood trail mentioned in the same sentence. Imagine that..... IMO a 243 or any other cartridge will do the job if used properly and everything goes right. But Im not taking the chance if I have a choice.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: ljcoach20]
#8884702
07/18/23 08:28 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,041
gary roberson
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,041 |
I have never been a fan of the .243 Win for a deer rifle. Years ago when we traveled across South Texas with a blood trailing dog, found that most of the deer we were following were shot with that caliber. Actually, I should be a huge fan of it because it made us a lot of spending money... Adios, Gary
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: gary roberson]
#8884716
07/18/23 08:45 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,054
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,054 |
I have never been a fan of the .243 Win for a deer rifle. Years ago when we traveled across South Texas with a blood trailing dog, found that most of the deer we were following were shot with that caliber. Actually, I should be a huge fan of it because it made us a lot of spending money... Adios, Gary Some sage advice worth paying attention to.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: gary roberson]
#8884758
07/18/23 09:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 936
TKM
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 936 |
I have never been a fan of the .243 Win for a deer rifle. Years ago when we traveled across South Texas with a blood trailing dog, found that most of the deer we were following were shot with that caliber. Actually, I should be a huge fan of it because it made us a lot of spending money... Adios, Gary Same thing has been said about the 7Mag.
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: scalebuster]
#8884768
07/18/23 10:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 593
Papalote
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 593 |
You don’t need a blood trail if you shoot them in the neck. Agreed.
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: ljcoach20]
#8884772
07/18/23 10:04 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 26,464
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 26,464 |
That completes the picture.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: ljcoach20]
#8885020
07/19/23 04:53 AM
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 60
Ag Hoff 90
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 60 |
Field & Stream shooting editor Richard Mann recently wrote "when it comes to common big-game cartridges, the differences are easier to see on paper than anywhere else. Ninety percent of a cartridge’s ability to kill hinges on a good bullet being put in the right spot."
He's right.
Become proficient with your rifle and whether you're using a .243, .308 or 7MM Mag for Texas whitetails, it doesn't matter.
No telling how many tens of thousands of deer are ethically killed with .243 Remi CoreLokt or Winchester PowerPoints each year.
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: ljcoach20]
#8885028
07/19/23 07:14 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16
bigfootwolff
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16 |
I used to hunt deer over a large wheat field in north Texas back in the 1980s and used a .243 Win with 100 grain Core Lokt factory loads. Some off the deer I shot were quite large, and I never lost a deer, with most shoots ranging from 100-300 yards. I never lost a deer because most of them would run 25-75 yards after being shot. Since they were all shot out in the wheat field I could easily watch them run after the shot and then see exactly where they dropped. Blood trails were never an issue because I walked right up to them. I then started hunting in east Texas in the 1990s, with most of the stands located along narrow trails and shooting lanes with thick woods on both sides. Most deer where lung shots behind the shoulder, but this time the deer bolted into thick cover. The lack of a blood trail made locating those deer very difficult. After almost giving up on finding a really nice buck I decided to start shooting a .270 Win. Since then I have always gotten great blood trails with full pass through shots. My .243 Win only gave pass through shots about 50% of the time.
Depending upon where you hunt and the type of terrain you encounter, the .243 can be a great round for deer. I would recommend a heavy well constructed bullet in the 95-100 grain range, preferably a bonded type bullet like the Federal Fusion round. If anybody knows of someone using a .243 with a bonded bullet other than the FederaL Fusion, please post that bullet and manufacturer you use.
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: Hunter307]
#8885033
07/19/23 10:29 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,202
TXHOGSLAYER
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,202 |
Never needed a blood trail with the 243, usually drop on the spot or make it a few feet. This. Core-lokts or Hornady Whitetail. Son has shot more than a dozen deer in the last few years and only one problem tracking and that was sons fault.
LETS GO BRANDON
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: ljcoach20]
#8885298
07/19/23 05:48 PM
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Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 35
FishNDive
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 35 |
My last seven deer were taken with handloaded Hornady 90gr ELD-X. Four from 100yds and three from 225 yds. Half those fell when shot the rest didn't make it more than 10 yds. Granted, I'm shooting from a bench rest in a sheltered stand across a pond that sits down in a bowl where the wind doesn't usually factor. Deviations to point of impact being largely human error.
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: ljcoach20]
#8885343
07/19/23 06:37 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 506
ctonsmitty
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 506 |
270 for max knock down power (me) 7mm-08 for knock down power --reduced recoil option (wife)
have you tried a Barnes bullet in .243?
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: ljcoach20]
#8886097
07/20/23 09:07 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 755
Treinta-Treinta
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 755 |
Only deer I ever lost was a 7-08
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: 603Country]
#8886216
07/21/23 12:00 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,202
TXHOGSLAYER
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,202 |
After I switched off from my trusty old 270, I got a 260. I’ve killed a bunch of deer with the 100 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. My point is that a 243 with a good 100 gr bullet should do fine. As folks say, put it in the heart/lung area. You should get an exit. Try the old faithful Remington CoreLokt if you don’t reload. This is a 100 grain Core-lokt from. .243 after going through both shoulders and a spine. Pretty mangled but all still there. I love Core-lokts.
LETS GO BRANDON
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: ljcoach20]
#8886232
07/21/23 12:19 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,274
Erny
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,274 |
I use 100 grain Winchester power points in my 243. Never had a problem with blood trailing the deer shot with the power points.
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: TXHOGSLAYER]
#8886362
07/21/23 11:46 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,876
txwildcat
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,876 |
Never needed a blood trail with the 243, usually drop on the spot or make it a few feet. This. Core-lokts or Hornady Whitetail. Son has shot more than a dozen deer in the last few years and only one problem tracking and that was sons fault. Been using core-lokts for the last 20 or so years and they fell pretty close. This last season I shot one with federal (100gr powershock) and I had to track the deer for 250- 300 yds. It was fortunate that it was mid afternoon as the blood trail was poor. Dont believe shot placement was poor but also hard to blame the round with a sample size of 1.
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: scalebuster]
#8886373
07/21/23 12:07 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,971
el Rojo
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,971 |
You don’t need a blood trail if you shoot them in the neck. That's where I aim. They drop like a rock or you missed.
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: ljcoach20]
#8886535
07/21/23 04:05 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,185
Jimbo
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,185 |
Blaming the caliber is just a poor excuse for bad shot placement, in most cases by someone that shouldn't be using a .243 so they need a shoulder canon instead.
Thursday at 12:45 PM #33 Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: maximum]
#8887060
07/22/23 04:39 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,923
skeeter22
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,923 |
If you're shooting and hitting the pump house, you shouldn't have any running away and getting lost. I've killed deer with 30/30's, arrows, patched round balls from black powder muzzleloaders, and a good many things that people say are "obsolete " A cousin used a 223 for years when he was hunting, and ranchers where I've hunted used 22-250's exclusively with success. If you shoot too high and don't break the shoulders, all the blood fills the cavity and you won't get a blood trail. Shoot the pump house/heart-lungs with an in/out shot, and if it runs it'll look like someone poured a five gallon bucket of blood everywhere. Deer can't go anywhere without blood to the brain just like every other animal. Shoot lower to drain it or high shoulder to break it down and you'll succeed Good Luck This ^^^^^
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: unclebubba]
#8888600
07/25/23 04:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,743
colt45-90
Texas colt45
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Texas colt45
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,743 |
I used to have the same problem with my .243. I tried lots of different bullets and solved the problem by getting a .270. yep, friend of mine has a game ranch south of Sonora, he has banned .243's, to many wounded animals
hold on Newt, we got a runaway
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: colt45-90]
#8888620
07/25/23 05:20 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,287
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,287 |
I used to have the same problem with my .243. I tried lots of different bullets and solved the problem by getting a .270. yep, friend of mine has a game ranch south of Sonora, he has banned .243's, to many wounded animals No offense to anyone, but I find this argument laughable at best. I've watched out landowner's son kill several big bodied, mature mule deer with his .243 and 95gr ballistic tips. One shot, in the right place, done deal. These sandhills bucks are way bigger than any whitetail in TX will ever be.
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: ljcoach20]
#8888628
07/25/23 05:37 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,466
rickt300
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,466 |
The 243 generally kills well but often does not leave much blood to trail if the deer does run 75 yards. If the brush is thick usually the part of the deer you see the most of is the neck or the upper chest area. At ranges under 100 yards a good shooting rifle will let you make high shoulder or in front of the shoulder neck shots pretty easy. As for bullets there are lots of good ones to choose from. This year from my 6 Grendel I am thinking 85 gr. Sierra BTHP going somewhere around 2800 fps at the muzzle. Might be a little faster still have to find out what speeds I can get. Might even use the 90 gr. Accubond.
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: ljcoach20]
#8888643
07/25/23 05:52 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,625
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,625 |
80 gr ttsx 100-120 yards
Bottom line, never trust a man whose uncle was eaten by cannibals.-Sen Joni Ernst
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#8888658
07/25/23 06:06 PM
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Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13
ljcoach20
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13 |
If at first you don't succeed, don't skydive.
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: Jimbo]
#8888661
07/25/23 06:11 PM
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Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13
ljcoach20
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 13 |
no one is blaming the caliber or making excuses, the post asked for help with a bullet that would leave a little better blood trail, it also stated that I've never lost a deer with bad shot placement with this rifle, I've only used it a couple of season and was asking for a little advise from those that have used it for years for better blood trial. I work law enforcement and was inquired in a fight and now have shoulder issues and need a lower recoil rifle, my dad had a 243 and i shot it and loved it and bought me one.
If at first you don't succeed, don't skydive.
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Re: 243 ammo, blood trail ?
[Re: ljcoach20]
#8888664
07/25/23 06:19 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,625
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 61,625 |
no one is blaming the caliber or making excuses, the post asked for help with a bullet that would leave a little better blood trail, it also stated that I've never lost a deer with bad shot placement with this rifle, I've only used it a couple of season and was asking for a little advise from those that have used it for years for better blood trial. I work law enforcement and was inquired in a fight and now have shoulder issues and need a lower recoil rifle, my dad had a 243 and i shot it and loved it and bought me one. if you want better blood trails, go hot and solid as that is a higher percentage for a pass through. also lower vital area hits also give better blood trails then higher hits
Bottom line, never trust a man whose uncle was eaten by cannibals.-Sen Joni Ernst
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