im starting son out with a 243 savage stevens model 200 topped with a vortex 3-9x40. ive been checking out and comparing different ballistics but wanted to ask on here too if any of you guys use a 243 and what ammo works great for deer? obviously ill want to go with 95 or 100 grain, any particular brand I should check out? im a fan of Remington's ammo but thought maybe I should get a little more technical for a smaller gun, wanna put luck on sons ide as much as I can. Im considering the nosler ballistic tip 95 grain. I do have the option to do hand loads too if any one has a good mix up I can play around with.
savage 243
- Thread starter ivorytip
- Start date
JimP
Administrator
I would just go with the ammo that the rifle shoots best. I have shot Remington, Winchester, Federal, and several others and have never had any problems with any. Now days I am partial to Barnes bullets so I would throw in the Barnes Vortex 80 grain TTSX ammo.
id like to go try a bunch of ammo out on it but that gets pricy, eventually ill do just that. JimP, you would choose the 80 grain over 95 or 100? may I ask why? I actually have a few boxeds of those Barnes in 80. and gr8 I do love those core-lokts, they have never let me down, ever.
JimP
Administrator
When you are shooting monolithic bullets such as the Barnes all copper TTSX you can usually drop down a few grains of bullet weight and get the same results as a heaver bullet.
Since I started shooting Barnes bullets exclusively in my rifles I have never recovered any of them, they have all been pass through shots from ranges from 90 yards out to 800 yards. Even the animals that I shot in Africa last year all the shots were pass through with very little tracking. We though that we were going to have to track my black wildebeest but he was down just over a small ridge about 30 yards from where he was hit at.
I am actually planning a coues deer hunt in Arizona for this coming December and will be shooting a 100 grain Barnes TTSX our of my .25-06 instead of a 115 grain bullet.
Since I started shooting Barnes bullets exclusively in my rifles I have never recovered any of them, they have all been pass through shots from ranges from 90 yards out to 800 yards. Even the animals that I shot in Africa last year all the shots were pass through with very little tracking. We though that we were going to have to track my black wildebeest but he was down just over a small ridge about 30 yards from where he was hit at.
I am actually planning a coues deer hunt in Arizona for this coming December and will be shooting a 100 grain Barnes TTSX our of my .25-06 instead of a 115 grain bullet.
got ya, thanks Jim! also, I just found a thread about the 243 from back in 2014. if I can get away with the 80 grain I will depending on how he is handling the recoil, still haven't been able to get him out yet. schools out soon, then watch out rock chucks!!
swampokie
Veteran member
Im a Remington man as well. That being said I went with the federal fusion for my boys last year as I had the same concerns you do. They both put deer down in their tracks with the federal ammo. This was with a 223. I started them off with a 243 but the recoil and blast really spooked them. I know the 223 is marginal but it really seemed to help them with accuracy and concentration. With todays bullet selection you shouldn't have a problem finding a good one for the 243
While there are plenty of great choices, my 243 loves Rem Core-Lokt 100gr. It has performed very well on mule deer, including some fairy large ones, 325 yards or so is as far as we've taken game with it. What ever it shoots best, from stout 80 gr., like the monolitics, to cup and core 100gr should work very well for your son for deer. Fun time ahead it sounds like. Good luck!
My youngest used the same 223 load I suspect, for the same reasons, the 62gr Fusion. It worked very well on Antelope and Deer, it is the one I plan to start my grandkids on over the 243. Once they are 12-13-14 or get some size, then we'll go something in the 243/257/260/7-08 class. Oregon started a mentor program a few years back, so now we can start them at 9 here, vs at 12 like my oldest did with the 243.
oh geez, now im trying to decide if I should get a 223. he's a small 10 year old. with the limb saver on its really not to bad at all. im going to start him with 80 grain locked in the vice and go from there. ive thought about a muzzle break but really don't wanna put one on the 243, I might put that on my 338
that thing is a beast.
that thing is a beast.
JimP
Administrator
With the .223 you have to consider on where you are hunting if it is legal or not. A lot of states start out with the .24 calibers or larger for deer sized game and up.
I think that your boy will do just fine with a 80 grain bullet out of a .243. There isn't that much recoil with it and while the felt pounds of recoil is double what the .223 are you are also shooting heaver bullets.
I think that your boy will do just fine with a 80 grain bullet out of a .243. There isn't that much recoil with it and while the felt pounds of recoil is double what the .223 are you are also shooting heaver bullets.
If you hand load, you can also moderate recoil by staying below max on your powder. If you go that way, you just need to choose your max range with whatever the bullets recommended min impact velocity is. With a real young hunter you are probably going to keep distance moderate regardless, so that can be a good option. Another option is the reduced recoil factory loads, we've used them in 7-08 for my nephew. They just give a slow push, but are very close in stuff, 150 yards, 200 max I think.
But I'd never want to talk anyone out of getting a new gun, so get that 223. Ours is a Howa on a mini action with a 20" barrel, nice reasonably priced gun. Good trigger and very accurate.
But I'd never want to talk anyone out of getting a new gun, so get that 223. Ours is a Howa on a mini action with a 20" barrel, nice reasonably priced gun. Good trigger and very accurate.
Horsenhike
Very Active Member
Pretty easy to swap out the barrel on your 200. Might be able to find a used one on a forum.
We have a couple of them, .223 and .308. Good rifles for our uses, and the .223 is very accurate.
We have a couple of them, .223 and .308. Good rifles for our uses, and the .223 is very accurate.
Musket Man
Veteran member
100 grain core-lokts is all I ever shot in mine. If that dont kill your deer neither will any other bullet.
6mm Remington
Very Active Member
If you don't reload the 100 gr. Remington core-lock bullet is good. As someone else said, anything Nosler. The 100 gr. Partition, 90 gr. Accubond, 90 gr. E-tip would all serve you well.
Recoil with a .243 should not bother him. One trick is to use soft plugs under ear muffs. Doubling up on the ear protection really helps quiet the sound and that takes some of the fear out of firing a rifle. Let him hear you shoot it a few times.
Recoil with a .243 should not bother him. One trick is to use soft plugs under ear muffs. Doubling up on the ear protection really helps quiet the sound and that takes some of the fear out of firing a rifle. Let him hear you shoot it a few times.
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JimP
Administrator
Put some food dye into the water and milk jugs for a little bit more effect.
I even know of some that will go purchase cheap soda pop and use it for a smaller target.
I even know of some that will go purchase cheap soda pop and use it for a smaller target.