|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,900
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,900 |
I’m certain this has been kicked to death before but I’m just working on one again that I inherited from my dad. Platform is a Ruger M-77 carbine SS with the green/black laminate stock. 1:9 twist 16.5” barrel. My dad’s pet loads for deer where either a 100 grain Hornady SPBT interlock or a 95 SST sitting on 42-ish grains of IMR 4831 standard CCI 200 primer. These bug hole at 100 yards. I have a bunch of 65’s, 75’s 95’s and 100’s in various configurations. Obviously I’m sticking with the 95 and 100 for deer and leaving the 65 and 75 for vermin. Inherited #8 of Varget and 4831 plus about 3K primers. Probably set for a while but just curious about other good options.
Keep your powder dry and stay frosty my friends.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,851
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,851 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,031
Campfire Savant
|
Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,031 |
I’m using this bullet also in my two 243’s
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 864
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 864 |
Lots of good options. The 95gr NBT is a tough bullet and highly effective. I use 4350 and H414. The Sierra GKs are great bullets, too.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300 |
Nowadays the 95 NBT definitely gets the nod for deer...if elk are on the menu maybe a Barnes TTSX and /or for sure a 100 gr. NPT. Lots of good powder choices. Ive personally killed elk with the 100 gr. Hornady, and 100 Gr.NPT and oodles of deer with both plus the 95 NBT
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,606
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,606 |
I've used the 95 NBT to kill elk and it worked very well, even with a high shoulder shot. drt on a cow.
Beware of any old man in a profession where one usually dies young.
Calm seas don't make sailors.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 442
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 442 |
100 gr soft points at 2900-3000 have worked fine for us for decades
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,889
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,889 |
Sierra Varminter 85 grain SP is my favorite in 6mm or 243. Shoots through 90% of our deer and ones that don't go down in their tracks don't run but 15-25 yards max. Mature deer too.
I have also used 100 grain Gamekings and Prohunters, good for DRT kills for the most part.
Hornady 100 grain BTSP weren't bad, maybe a fuzz tough for my tastes but didn't kill many with them so sample size is small. Killed a few with the Hornady 87 grain BTHP, it worked too
My last 2 bucks have been killed with a 95 grain Partition, nothing to complain about with them. Have several loaded so will stick with them for now.
Last edited by 10gaugemag; 08/11/19.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,601
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,601 |
100 grain Sierra over N160. Been killing deer for years. The 95 NBT is highly effective. My gun shoots the 85 TSX over Varget well, but I just keep using the 100 Sierra since I have so many loaded and ready.
Nut
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.
Thomas Jefferson
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,237
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,237 |
My favorite was the 105 Amax, but since I've ran out of those, I have went back to 95 NBTs. No complaints/failures of either. Barnes worked fine, as did 100 gr Interlocks, Corelocks, and 85 gr Sierras, but I always get exits and good expansion with the 95 NBT. BC isn't great but they still fly pretty good out to 500.
If the Interlocks bughole @ 100 and you aren't shooting long range, I'd probably stick with his load.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,900
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,900 |
Good information from all and thanks for that. I’m using his 280 Remington, Browning Abolt as primary this year in memory of him. It was his favorite caliber and rifle. I’ll use the 243 for filling my second tag or doe tags. Not to mention it will do the heavy lifting after deer season chasing down coyotes.
Keep your powder dry and stay frosty my friends.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 13,017
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 13,017 |
My daughter has a Model 10 Savage and it shoots very nicely with 100 grain Nosler Partition in Federal Premium Ammo. We started hand loading 100 NP and a max load of IMR 4350. This load as does the Federal factory load shoots sub MOA. She has killed 22 deer with 22 shots and no misses. Also this load killed a huge Russian feral hog and a bunch of smaller hogs, some weighing 2-300 lbs. I've shot a few deer with it myself, one a large DRT 9 point.
Patriotism (and religion) is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
Jesus: "Take heed that no man deceive you."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,932
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,932 |
I have found the Sierra 85 gr HPBT really effective on deer.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,323
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,323 |
I have found the Sierra 85 gr HPBT really effective on deer. My partner and I did deer control in the early 90's we shot several 100 deer in that period all with Sierra HPBT never lost a deer.....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,739
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,739 |
95 NBT with 41-42 grains of H4350 has always been a sweet spot for several 243s I’ve reloaded for. Bullet offers a good mix of expansion and enough penetration to exit.
105 Hornady BTHP despite its “match” billing is a excellent bullet and I’ve converted to it completely. 40.5-42 grains of RL17 is where I end up. Inexpensive, easy to load for, exits squarely placed high shoulder shots and has a excellent BC.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,196
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,196 |
I have found the Sierra 85 gr HPBT really effective on deer. My partner and I did deer control in the early 90's we shot several 100 deer in that period all with Sierra HPBT never lost a deer..... It's my favorite all around bullet for the 243. I have never owned a 243 that did not like this bullet and a stiff load of W760. My son and I have killed a number of deer with it, and never lost one.
Last edited by JamesJr; 08/12/19.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 230
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 230 |
16.5 barrel and I'd go the 90gr NBT over the 95gr. Considerably more velocity possible, way more than 5gr difference would suggest.
A 243 needs velocity and expansion to kill well and with a 16.5" barrel it will pay to get all the velocity you can. The sierra 85gr bthp is good but has the bc of a brick which if you dont start fast isn't exactly desirable. The 85gr IB is also very good.
Last edited by OttoG; 08/12/19.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,722
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,722 |
It includes 4064, and a host of 6mm bullets...
Last deer with a 243, took a 100 gran Sierra Soft Point to the neck, with a charge of 38 grs of 4064....
dropped dead on the spot...
similar charge of 4064 with a 95 grain Ballistic tip is a favorite....
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,932
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,932 |
The sierra 85gr bthp is good but has the bc of a brick which if you dont start fast isn't exactly desirable. The BC has never worried me. The farthest I've killed a deer with this bullet is 410 yards. That's about as far as I'm willing to push this bullet. Beyond that, it's running out of steam anyway.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,375
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,375 |
we've had great luck with Barnes 80 TTSX
|
|
|
|
595 members (160user, 1moredeer, 10gaugemag, 1beaver_shooter, 204guy, 007FJ, 65 invisible),
2,419
guests, and
1,239
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,191,112
Posts18,464,428
Members73,925
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|