Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Hornady 87 HPBT .243 construction?

I've read/heard different viewpoints on whether this is a varmint/predator bullet or a predator/deer bullet. I suppose it doesn't really matter, but I would like to know what you guys "who have used it" think of it? My primary use is varmints/coyotes, and "maybe" an antelope or doe mule deer. I would like to hear your opinions please.

Never shot a deer with this bullet but I have killed a bunch of coyotes with it. It works great for that. I like the Sierra 85 gr. HPBT GK better as an all around bullet in the .243 Winchester. With that Sierra bullet I have killed fox, bobcats, coyotes, deer and a couple hogs and haven't had anything to complain about.

Have taken a number of Wisconsin White tails with it and some Oregon Blacktails...

that or the 87 SP Hornady, have been good on deer for me...

my load is 40 grains of 4064....

Thanks guys, thats good to know. I shoot more than I get to hunt/roam around anymore, and always up for trying a new bullet! For decades I have read about the Sierra 85 HPBT being a good all around bullet. Beating the wind out here is always in the back of my mind, so I try and keep my ranges short on critters. But I do like "fast and flat" so rarely have used any bullet of 100gr in any kind of 6mm I've played with. Thanks again guys!

I prefer the Hornady 87 BTHP over the Sierra 85 grain HP.

I've shot two deer with the Sierra... and the deer died, but I wasn't impressed... if we are talking a Sierra bullet, give me the 100 grain SMP any day. Its discontinued, but I still have like 400 of them, and I'm not going to be taking 400 deer between now and my hunting days being over...

Was just back home in Virginia and what surprised me, is most of my deer hunting relatives, have hung it up several years ago.. and most are younger than I am. A couple got a big once in a life time deer, mounted the head over the fire place and called it quits...had trouble believing that.

I've already loaded up about 20 of the Hornady 87 BTHPs for this upcoming season at the end of September in the 243... using the Ruger this season.. But then I'll load up 20 for the 260 Ruger and then the 6.5 Grendal ( also a Ruger).. and the 6.5 x 55 which is also a Ruger.

What load do you like behind that 87 Seafire?

Simple....

40 grains of 4064....

My 243s and 260s see a lot of 4064, followed by 3031 or IMR 4895.