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243 bullet for double shoulder shots? #9719262 03/28/15 Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Diogenes OP New Member OP Diogenes New Member Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Recently picked up a little marlin xs7 for shooting coyotes and I like it so much I think I'm going to load something for western Kentucky white tail. Looking for suggestions on bullets that are capable of making a double shoulder shot on a big buck should one step out, but still perform on regular sized white tail out to 300 yards. I'm considering the following. 1. 100gr nosler partitions. 2. 85gr Barnes tsx Any other bullets meet these needs? What about factory loads? Last edited by Diogenes; 03/28/15. The mountains are calling, and I must go -John Muir

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9719281 03/28/15 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Southwestern Montucky Both of those will work, as will a 100 grain Hornady flat base. "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? ingwe #9719300 03/28/15 Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,820 M mathman Campfire 'Bwana mathman Campfire 'Bwana M Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,820 I'd love to line up a double shoulder shot with the 95 BT I load.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? ingwe #9719375 03/28/15 Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Diogenes OP New Member OP Diogenes New Member Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Originally Posted by ingwe Both of those will work, as will a 100 grain Hornady flat base. Is that an Interlock or interbond? The mountains are calling, and I must go -John Muir

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9719405 03/28/15 Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 7,976 Michigan K KenMi Campfire Outfitter KenMi Campfire Outfitter K Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 7,976 Michigan 80 grain TTSX. Why a double shoulder shot? Heavy cover? Put one of those behind the shoulders and you are guaranteed a good blood trail. But if you do accidentally hit both shoulders, it will come out the other side. Just might lose meat. The bullet holds together, but at 3300 fps, there will be damage from bone fragments, etc. when that little buzzsaw goes through. Last edited by KenMi; 03/28/15.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9719416 03/28/15 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,086 Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,086 Originally Posted by Diogenes Originally Posted by ingwe Both of those will work, as will a 100 grain Hornady flat base. Is that an Interlock or interbond? Interlock. Unfortunately, the flat base is not shown in the '15 catalog or on the website. Only the BTSP in 100 gr. is shown.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? KenMi #9719459 03/28/15 Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Diogenes OP New Member OP Diogenes New Member Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Originally Posted by KenMi 80 grain TTSX. Why a double shoulder shot? Heavy cover? Put one of those behind the shoulders and you are guaranteed a good blood trail. But if you do accidentally hit both shoulders, it will come out the other side. Just might lose meat. The bullet holds together, but at 3300 fps, there will be damage from bone fragments, etc. when that little buzzsaw goes through. So the 80 grain isn't too light then? They really penetrate as advertised? I just want to be able to anchor one with authority should the need arise. If I can't make such a shot maybe I'll just bring more gun and leave this one for the coyotes. Last edited by Diogenes; 03/28/15. The mountains are calling, and I must go -John Muir

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? KenMi #9719473 03/28/15 Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 6,825 Texas southtexas Campfire Tracker southtexas Campfire Tracker Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 6,825 Texas Originally Posted by KenMi Why a double shoulder shot? Heavy cover? Put one of those behind the shoulders and you are guaranteed a good blood trail. I know lots of places where following a blood trail means crawling on your hands and knees thru cactus and thorns, with a decent chance of coming nose to nose with a coiled rattler. Sometimes you want them to go straight down.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? southtexas #9719491 03/28/15 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,086 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,086 Banana Belt, Montana Even without rattlers it's kinda handy to anchor them sometimes. The TSX's and the Nosler Partition will do the job, even on a big northern buck. My wife has double-shoulder a few big Montana whitetails with them over the years. “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9719539 03/28/15 Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 179 Indiana ExtremeHunter16 Campfire Member ExtremeHunter16 Campfire Member Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 179 Indiana My son dropped a small buck with a lightly loaded 80 TTSX out of his 243 youth - it only busted one shoulder but I have no doubt it would have busted both if the buck would have been standing broadside. Muzzle velocity was probably around 3,000 fps.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9719570 03/28/15 Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Diogenes OP New Member OP Diogenes New Member Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY I'll probably be hunting my buddies waterfowl property which is swamp, lake, and more swamp. Not exactly ideal tracking conditions, but lots of big deer and not much hunting pressure. The mountains are calling, and I must go -John Muir

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Mule Deer #9719725 03/28/15 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,086 Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,086 Originally Posted by Mule Deer Even without rattlers it's kinda handy to anchor them sometimes. The TSX's and the Nosler Partition will do the job, even on a big northern buck. My wife has double-shoulder a few big Montana whitetails with them over the years. Front, or rear?

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9719776 03/28/15 Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 10,365 Central, PA G gemby58 Campfire Outfitter gemby58 Campfire Outfitter G Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 10,365 Central, PA The 95gr Nosler Ballistic Tips will double shoulder them

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? gemby58 #9719798 03/28/15 Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,151 The town Del Shannon made famo... Whelenman Campfire Outfitter Whelenman Campfire Outfitter Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,151 The town Del Shannon made famo... Originally Posted by gemby58 The 95gr Nosler Ballistic Tips will double shoulder them THIS . 85gr Barnes tsx AND THIS Last edited by Whelenman; 03/28/15. Well we're Green and we're Gold, and we play better when it's cold. All us Cheese heads have our favorite superstar. We love Brett Favre.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? gemby58 #9719805 03/28/15 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Southwestern Montucky Originally Posted by gemby58 The 95gr Nosler Ballistic Tips will double shoulder them Im gonna try to double shoulder an Axis with that bullet in a couple months.... "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Whttail_in_MT #9719840 03/28/15 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,086 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,086 Banana Belt, Montana Whttail, Ah, yes, the old "rear shoulders" shot! I believe Swampman 700 specializes in those, especially from a moving golf cart. “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9719874 03/28/15 Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 3,605 Ala-Freaking Bama! via Texas H hh4whiskey Campfire Tracker hh4whiskey Campfire Tracker H Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 3,605 Ala-Freaking Bama! via Texas Originally Posted by Diogenes I'll probably be hunting my buddies waterfowl property which is swamp, lake, and more swamp. Not exactly ideal tracking conditions, but lots of big deer and not much hunting pressure. The Speer bonded 90gr deep curl or hot core, if you can find them, will absolutely break both shoulders to at least 270, and exit. Nosler BTs, partitions, and other non-solids, will as well....if you don't want a mono.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9719905 03/28/15 Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 6,926 Upper Midwest selmer Campfire Tracker selmer Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 6,926 Upper Midwest I've seen the 100 gr. Partition penetrate whitetails from every angle and haven't recovered more than a couple. I've double shouldered a few and seem them go DRT. I'm sure the Barnes will do just as well. Let the rifle tell you which one it likes. Selmer "Daddy, can you sometime maybe please go shoot a water buffalo so we can have that for supper? Please? And can I come along? Does it taste like deer?" - my 3-year old daughter

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Mule Deer #9719936 03/28/15 Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 37,088 Central Louisiana D Dirtfarmer Campfire 'Bwana Dirtfarmer Campfire 'Bwana D Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 37,088 Central Louisiana Originally Posted by Mule Deer Whttail, Ah, yes, the old "rear shoulders" shot! I believe Swampman 700 specializes in those, especially from a moving golf cart. Yep, proprietary... Swampy owns that one... DF

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9719947 03/28/15 Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,733 Hutchinson, KS P Proud_Dad Campfire Regular Proud_Dad Campfire Regular P Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,733 Hutchinson, KS We used the 90 gr. Accubond from both the .243 Win. and 6mm Rem. this year and I was very happy with the performance. Son got his first deer with an 85 yard shot using a reduced recoil load (25.5 grs. of SR4759), yet it still broke the near side front leg/shoulder and dropped the buck in just 10-15 yards. I took a nice buck the next morning with the 6mm at 255 yards with complete penetration. Shot was just behind the shoulder and the deer took three steps and fell over. Will definitely be using them again next year. Last edited by Proud_Dad; 03/28/15. "Kids don't remember their best day of television."

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9720003 03/28/15 Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 10,365 Central, PA G gemby58 Campfire Outfitter gemby58 Campfire Outfitter G Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 10,365 Central, PA Nosler 95 BT is one tough bullet

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? gemby58 #9720152 03/28/15 Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,820 M mathman Campfire 'Bwana mathman Campfire 'Bwana M Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,820 I've shot one sideways through a hog bigger than any deer I'll come across where I hunt.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9721311 03/29/15 Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 511 Okie in Falcon, CO imgoofy Campfire Regular imgoofy Campfire Regular Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 511 Okie in Falcon, CO I use the 80 gr TTSX in my 243 with a velocity of 3415 fps. I haven't caught a bullet to-date. Needed to anchor this antelope doe as the fence was the property boundary. Shot distance was 228 yards. Right thru both front shoulders. She stumbled about two steps forward. Perfect execution. Last edited by imgoofy; 03/29/15. Reason: Picture added Goofy aka graybird on other forums "Make no mistake, it's not revenge he's after ... it's the reckoning"

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9721684 03/29/15 Joined: May 2002 Posts: 9,526 Vic_in_Va Campfire Outfitter Vic_in_Va Campfire Outfitter Joined: May 2002 Posts: 9,526 I've not had a problem with the 80 TTSX going through, either. I was using the TSX, but my rifle likes the TTSX much better.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9721795 03/29/15 Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,339 Huntingnut Campfire Regular Huntingnut Campfire Regular Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,339 Originally Posted by Diogenes Recently picked up a little marlin xs7 for shooting coyotes and I like it so much I think I'm going to load something for western Kentucky white tail. Looking for suggestions on bullets that are capable of making a double shoulder shot on a big buck should one step out, but still perform on regular sized white tail out to 300 yards. I'm considering the following. 1. 100gr nosler partitions. 2. 85gr Barnes tsx Any other bullets meet these needs? What about factory loads? Either of those bullets will shoot completely, or almost completely lengthwise through a deer. No worries on shoulders.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9721834 03/29/15 Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 22,884 D DakotaDeer Campfire Ranger DakotaDeer Campfire Ranger D Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 22,884 Hornady 85 Interbond will also do it.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? imgoofy #9721997 03/29/15 Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 6,825 Texas southtexas Campfire Tracker southtexas Campfire Tracker Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 6,825 Texas Originally Posted by imgoofy I use the 80 gr TTSX in my 243 with a velocity of 3415 fps. I haven't caught a bullet to-date. Needed to anchor this antelope doe as the fence was the property boundary. Shot distance was 228 yards. Right thru both front shoulders. She stumbled about two steps forward. Perfect execution. Good thing she didn't make it into that thick brush on the other side of the fence!

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9723486 03/30/15 Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,165 Mississippi C country_20boy Campfire Regular country_20boy Campfire Regular C Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,165 Mississippi I shot two deer this season with 243 Win. 80 grain hornady gmx, a 130 lb doe and a 290 lb buck. Both deer were about 30-40 yards away, both shot just behind the shoulder and both ran about 50 yards with great blood trails. The blood trail with the buck was just plain stupid. He was pouring out both sides and from the nose. Sample size of only 2, but I feel sure they'll punch thru double shoulders and I plan to find out this fall. Last edited by country_20boy; 03/30/15.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9723640 03/30/15 Joined: May 2005 Posts: 9,611 Central Texas P powdr Campfire Outfitter powdr Campfire Outfitter P Joined: May 2005 Posts: 9,611 Central Texas 290lb buck? Got a picture of that bad boy? powdr

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? powdr #9723740 03/30/15 Joined: May 2007 Posts: 3,945 south west alabama ruraldoc Campfire Tracker ruraldoc Campfire Tracker Joined: May 2007 Posts: 3,945 south west alabama I like the 100 grain Hornady flat base interlock,but have also seen the same results with the 95 grain Hornady SST,which is one of the few SST bullets with a flat base not a boattail. I saw our local game warden take a 180 pound wild boar with a double shoulder shot on our place not long ago. Dead right there,half dollar size exit,and blood on the ground under the hog.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9723754 03/30/15 Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 7,049 7th valley by the red oak grov... pahick Campfire Tracker pahick Campfire Tracker Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 7,049 7th valley by the red oak grov... Believe the 95 gr BT to be IT...but gotta say I tried the 87 gr VLD this year in a 165 dressed buck and it broke both shoulders, no exit at 85 yrds. Sold my 243, but planning on another and ill stick with the 87 VLD.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9724050 03/30/15 Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 32,044 Kpt.,TN , Montgomery, Co, VA bea175 Campfire 'Bwana bea175 Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 32,044 Kpt.,TN , Montgomery, Co, VA My favorite deer bullet in the 243 is the Swift 90 gr Scirocco. It will kill them close and far A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? country_20boy #9724744 03/30/15 Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Diogenes OP New Member OP Diogenes New Member Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Originally Posted by country_20boy I shot two deer this season with 243 Win. 80 grain hornady gmx, a 130 lb doe and a 290 lb buck. Both deer were about 30-40 yards away, both shot just behind the shoulder and both ran about 50 yards with great blood trails. The blood trail with the buck was just plain stupid. He was pouring out both sides and from the nose. Sample size of only 2, but I feel sure they'll punch thru double shoulders and I plan to find out this fall. I've read that the gmx needs a minimum of 2000fps on impact to initiate expansion, compared to 1800fps for the Barnes tsx, and 1600 for the nosler e-tip. I guess gilding metal is that much harder than copper. Seems like it would just be a solid unless it was a fairly close shot with a hot load in 243. I guess with the extra velocity of the hornady superformance ammo it's less of an issue. Last edited by Diogenes; 03/30/15. The mountains are calling, and I must go -John Muir

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9724995 03/30/15 Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,086 Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Whttail_in_MT Campfire Outfitter Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 10,086 Originally Posted by Diogenes I've read that the gmx needs a minimum of 2000fps on impact to initiate expansion, compared to 1800fps for the Barnes tsx, and 1600 for the nosler e-tip. I guess gilding metal is that much harder than copper. Seems like it would just be a solid unless it was a fairly close shot with a hot load in 243. I guess with the extra velocity of the hornady superformance ammo it's less of an issue. Nosler lists 1800 fps minimum for the E-Tip, which is made of gilding metal like the GMX.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Whttail_in_MT #9725025 03/30/15 Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Diogenes OP New Member OP Diogenes New Member Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Originally Posted by Whttail_in_MT Originally Posted by Diogenes I've read that the gmx needs a minimum of 2000fps on impact to initiate expansion, compared to 1800fps for the Barnes tsx, and 1600 for the nosler e-tip. I guess gilding metal is that much harder than copper. Seems like it would just be a solid unless it was a fairly close shot with a hot load in 243. I guess with the extra velocity of the hornady superformance ammo it's less of an issue. Nosler lists 1800 fps minimum for the E-Tip, which is made of gilding metal like the GMX. Thanks for clarifying. I stand corrected. The mountains are calling, and I must go -John Muir

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? powdr #9727274 03/31/15 Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,165 Mississippi C country_20boy Campfire Regular country_20boy Campfire Regular C Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,165 Mississippi https://www.dropbox.com/s/djwqknxm0pyceny/20141125_082358.jpg?dl=0 Originally Posted by powdr 290lb buck? Got a picture of that bad boy? powdr

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9727305 03/31/15 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,576 Stark, WI Whelen Nut Campfire Tracker Whelen Nut Campfire Tracker Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,576 Stark, WI 105gr Speer HC as another alternative. Won't cost ya and arm and a leg either. 'Tis far better to walk alone than to follow a crowd going the wrong way.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? country_20boy #9727520 03/31/15 Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Diogenes OP New Member OP Diogenes New Member Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Originally Posted by country_20boy https://www.dropbox.com/s/djwqknxm0pyceny/20141125_082358.jpg?dl=0 Originally Posted by powdr 290lb buck? Got a picture of that bad boy? powdr Nice! 👍 The mountains are calling, and I must go -John Muir

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9727530 03/31/15 Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 741 T turkish Campfire Regular turkish Campfire Regular T Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 741 Guys, I'd like to understand what I'm missing or if my one experience with the BT was a fluke or too small a sample. I drank the Kool Aid and used 120 BTs to develop a load for a 7-08. Book max of Varget, so 3000-ish fps. First and only shot on game was a ribcage shot on a whitetail at 50 yds. I'm assuming disintegration, as there was no exit. While the shot was lethal, the buck did run a ways. Not poo pooing on the bullet, but how can one expect it to hold together on a shoulder shot after seeing this performance? I'll hang up and listen.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? turkish #9727591 03/31/15 Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,820 M mathman Campfire 'Bwana mathman Campfire 'Bwana M Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,820 It could be that your sample of one happened to lie out on the tail of the probability distribution of performance for this bullet.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9727654 03/31/15 Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 741 T turkish Campfire Regular turkish Campfire Regular T Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 741 I can get behind that.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9727733 03/31/15 Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY Diogenes OP New Member OP Diogenes New Member Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 22 Paducah, KY I think I'm going to give the Barnes 80 ttsx a try See how the rifle likes them and go from there. Last edited by Diogenes; 03/31/15. The mountains are calling, and I must go -John Muir

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9729185 04/01/15 Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,165 Mississippi C country_20boy Campfire Regular country_20boy Campfire Regular C Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,165 Mississippi Originally Posted by Diogenes Originally Posted by country_20boy https://www.dropbox.com/s/djwqknxm0pyceny/20141125_082358.jpg?dl=0 Originally Posted by powdr 290lb buck? Got a picture of that bad boy? powdr Nice! 👍 Not bad for a MS buck huh? It wasn't the biggest rack I've killed, but he was my personal best for weight.....by 5 lbs. He definitely erased any doubts I had about using a .243.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9731047 04/02/15 Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 2,556 Nebraska S sbhooper Campfire Regular sbhooper Campfire Regular S Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 2,556 Nebraska The Barnes will be a good choice. Unless it was a distant shot, I would have to see the BT or SST go through both shoulders. I don't buy it. They are explosive. You did not "seen" anything, you "saw" it. A "creek" has water in it, a "crick" is what you get in your neck. Liberals with guns are nothing but hypocrites.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9735045 04/03/15 Joined: May 2005 Posts: 9,611 Central Texas P powdr Campfire Outfitter powdr Campfire Outfitter P Joined: May 2005 Posts: 9,611 Central Texas The 95gr and 120gr Ballistic tips are tuff bullets for their caliber. I've found the 140gr Ballistic tip to be a more dependable bullet. powdr

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9743175 04/07/15 Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 50 NE Louisiana I I8adeer Campfire Greenhorn I8adeer Campfire Greenhorn I Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 50 NE Louisiana Vic in Va recommend Barnes bullets in the 243 years ago. They impressed me and anyone who came to the skinning rack to look at one of my daughters kills. Barnes factory ammo shoots 1/2-3/4 MOA in my daughters stock 700.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9770474 04/15/15 Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,687 Tomball, TX S strosfann Campfire Regular strosfann Campfire Regular S Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,687 Tomball, TX The 80 gr TTSX has restored my faith in the .243. My son is now 3 for 3 on one shot kills with the same rifle I killed my first deer with and his little brother will follow in his footsteps shortly. There is no doubt about its ability to fully reach the vitals from any angle on a whitetail and double shoulders are no problem at reasonable ranges.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? strosfann #9770916 04/15/15 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,086 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,086 Banana Belt, Montana You mean the .243 will actually kill Texas whitetails? “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Mule Deer #9771368 04/16/15 Joined: May 2002 Posts: 9,526 Vic_in_Va Campfire Outfitter Vic_in_Va Campfire Outfitter Joined: May 2002 Posts: 9,526 Originally Posted by Mule Deer You mean the .243 will actually kill Texas whitetails? Should we consult Don?

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Vic_in_Va #9771432 04/16/15 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Southwestern Montucky Perhaps.... Everyone in Texas I met used a 7mm mag or a 300WSM on those whitetails.... I sure hope a .243 works on Axis down there.... "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9772110 04/16/15 Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 7,976 Michigan K KenMi Campfire Outfitter KenMi Campfire Outfitter K Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 7,976 Michigan I wouldn't have a problem with the .243 Barnes on elk. Wouldn't be my first choice, but if that is the gun a woman or young person shot the best, the bullet would do the job.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? ingwe #9772414 04/16/15 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,086 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,086 Banana Belt, Montana Tom, I double-shouldered (and spined) a Texas whitetail with a .243 in December. It was a doe, though, so maybe that doesn't count--and the bullet was a factory "blue box" Federal 100-grain, so maybe that doesn't count either. The bullet also exited. Does that count? “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Mule Deer #9772450 04/16/15 Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 6,825 Texas southtexas Campfire Tracker southtexas Campfire Tracker Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 6,825 Texas Was the doe hurt in any way?

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Diogenes #9774488 04/16/15 Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 179 Indiana ExtremeHunter16 Campfire Member ExtremeHunter16 Campfire Member Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 179 Indiana Seems to me a guy that goes by the handle DJTex might have slayed a few Texas critters with his .243. His stories are worth the read! Last edited by ExtremeHunter16; 04/16/15. Reason: Stupid autocorrect

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? southtexas #9775718 04/17/15 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,086 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,086 Banana Belt, Montana southtexas, It was hard to tell. She just lay down and "relaxed." “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? turkish #9775792 04/17/15 Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 115,424 South Florida deflave Campfire Sage deflave Campfire Sage Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 115,424 South Florida Originally Posted by turkish Guys, I'd like to understand what I'm missing or if my one experience with the BT was a fluke or too small a sample. I drank the Kool Aid and used 120 BTs to develop a load for a 7-08. Book max of Varget, so 3000-ish fps. First and only shot on game was a ribcage shot on a whitetail at 50 yds. I'm assuming disintegration, as there was no exit. While the shot was lethal, the buck did run a ways. Not poo pooing on the bullet, but how can one expect it to hold together on a shoulder shot after seeing this performance? I'll hang up and listen. Because jacket thickness of the 120gr. BT isn't always consistent. Travis Originally Posted by Geno67 Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual. Originally Posted by Judman Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit. Originally Posted by KSMITH My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Mule Deer #9775956 04/17/15 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Southwestern Montucky Originally Posted by Mule Deer Tom, I double-shouldered (and spined) a Texas whitetail with a .243 in December. It was a doe, though, so maybe that doesn't count--and the bullet was a factory "blue box" Federal 100-grain, so maybe that doesn't count either. The bullet also exited. Does that count? No, unless it was a .243 'Magnum' of some sort. Your 'sample of one' was obviously a fluke. "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? ingwe #9776780 04/17/15 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,086 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,086 Banana Belt, Montana Yeah, and she was pretty close too, as I recall about 60 yards. As we all know, bullets tend to "pencil through" instead of expand when they're going fast. “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Mule Deer #9776878 04/17/15 Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,820 M mathman Campfire 'Bwana mathman Campfire 'Bwana M Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 44,820 Especially 7 mags.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? ingwe #9777022 04/17/15 Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 19,233 B Blackheart Campfire Ranger Blackheart Campfire Ranger B Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 19,233 Originally Posted by ingwe Perhaps.... Everyone in Texas I met used a 7mm mag or a 300WSM on those whitetails.... I sure hope a .243 works on Axis down there.... Damn, those Texas whitetails must be some tough critters. My .243 kills the hell outta NY deer and it don't need any extra special bullets to do it neither.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? ingwe #9777150 04/17/15 Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 6,162 San Antonio K Kentucky_Windage Campfire Tracker Kentucky_Windage Campfire Tracker K Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 6,162 San Antonio Originally Posted by ingwe Originally Posted by Mule Deer Tom, I double-shouldered (and spined) a Texas whitetail with a .243 in December. It was a doe, though, so maybe that doesn't count--and the bullet was a factory "blue box" Federal 100-grain, so maybe that doesn't count either. The bullet also exited. Does that count? No, unless it was a .243 'Magnum' of some sort. Your 'sample of one' was obviously a fluke. I heard John whispering to the bullet, "You're a magnum," before he shot, so I think that counts. Actually, everyone on that hunt was shooting a .308 or .243, and everyone killed four deer. So there's your sample. ;-) John has one my poor little "blue box" bullets that struck the off shoulder of a buck, took a left turn, and ended up in two pieces -- jacket and core -- barely poking up through the skin forward of the shoulder. The buck was DRT, but this was clearly another case of bullet failure... in the eyes of mono-projectile homeboys. *rolling eyes* If you're fixin' to put a hole in something, make it a hole to remember.

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? Mule Deer #9777158 04/17/15 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Southwestern Montucky Originally Posted by Mule Deer Yeah, and she was pretty close too, as I recall about 60 yards. As we all know, bullets tend to "pencil through" instead of expand when they're going fast. I thought only Nosler Partitions did that...... You know...when they don't have enough time to open up if they are going so fast.... "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: 243 bullet for double shoulder shots? southtexas #9777204 04/17/15 Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 6,162 San Antonio K Kentucky_Windage Campfire Tracker Kentucky_Windage Campfire Tracker K Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 6,162 San Antonio Originally Posted by southtexas Originally Posted by KenMi Why a double shoulder shot? Heavy cover? Put one of those behind the shoulders and you are guaranteed a good blood trail. I know lots of places where following a blood trail means crawling on your hands and knees thru cactus and thorns, with a decent chance of coming nose to nose with a coiled rattler. Sometimes you want them to go straight down. Been there, done that in some of that really thick, far south Texas brush country. I think I'd rather trail one through Hades. Everything in that stuff stings, stabs or bites. If you're fixin' to put a hole in something, make it a hole to remember.