Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting goin with 85 gr TSX over 100 gr Partition...I think

I just can't make a decision. I have gone blind doing searches and I realize that both will do the job, if placed correctly. I have experience with the partition (120 gr 25-06) and have had nothing but success, but the reports from the TSX are hard to ignore. I expect them both to shoot tight groups through my sons new Ruger M77 Mark II 243 win, and would guess that the TSX would edge the partition in that department, but at this point it is still just a guess. I picked up a box of the fed prem factory 85's today and will shoot probably tomorrow. If they shoot great I probably won't even bother with the partitions. We're hunting fairly open country SW Arkansas whitetails, hogs and any predators that pause too long. He has proven the ability to accurately shoot out to about 200 yards.
The logical thing to do would just let the rifle decide, all else being equal...and at this point I can't find anything else to pick between the two.
Is there anything else that I am missing, something to tip the scales one way or the other??

which ever one you (he) like shooting the best. The biggest factor is the one pulling the trigger. If that person believes in what is going down the barrel it never hurts the aim or function.

At 200+/- yards, I doubt that any properly constructed .243" bore bullet would fail to kill a deer if shot through the lungs. Personally, I like the 95 grain Partition in my 243s, 6mms, and 243 WSSMs.

Jeff

I'm trying the 95 rg. PT's this year.What can I expect as far as animal reaction and wound channels?Just curious.

After killing deer pretty darn dead for about 30 years now with the 100 grain Remington CoreLokt, I am not changing.

I hear ya Mannlicher.
I guess I just want to take advantage, or give my son every advantage available, and if one of these factory loads can do it, I'm ready to pay.

Ruger, I used the 95gr PTs in a 243 for about 10 years on a lot of deer, and I'd get anywhere from a drop in their tracks to a max of 100 yard run after being hit in the heart/lung area. Typically I'd have to say they managed a 40 yard run before dropping.

A couple of neck shots at 40 yards dropped those two in their tracks. A running shot at a 5x5 whitetail quartering away (branch deflected first shot, my bad) went through the chest and out the opposite front shoulder dropping him in his tracks.

Never had a failure, never recovered a bullet. Not a round for you if you want your bullet to "explode" inside the deer and drop them in their tracks, but a definite if you want a bullet that will handle any shot you need to make.

Your missing out on quick kills using the partitions on lung shots. Better overall bullet is the 100 grain Sierra Gameking. Don't hit em from behind, any other reasonable shot will get fast results. I don't know about the 85 gr. TSX though I hope it works for you.

My .243 has shot and killed 5 different mule deer, all with the old 90 grain x bullet. 3 dropped in their tracks, one made it 25 yards and the other 40 before they knew they were dead.