Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 243 bullets

Although I've used Sierra 85gr HPBT's as my all around bullet in my 243's forever, I'm starting to run a little short because of the shortage. I do however have several boxes of both Sierra 85gr Spitzers and Hornady 87gr BTHP's, and was thinking trying one of those bullets for deer hunting this year (after I get my first one with the 85 HPBT). Have any of you ever used either of these bullets on whitetails and if so what were your results ? Any pet loads to pass on ? Not looking for advice on any other bullets because it's to hard to find anything out there right now. TIA, Ben

Slllooowwwww the fhuqk down,catch your breath and Start At The Fhuqking Start. Hint.

EXACTLY what is the rifle? Scope/base/rings? Application(s),other than Venison? Hint.

The .243 Sugar 85gr HPBT is a STEAMING pile of fhuqking schit,from any/all angles. Hint.






What's your budget? Hint..................

Ben, just bought box of Hornady Interlock 100 g. from Sheels about a month ago for my 243. Have killed many bucks with this bullet and it is very accurate. Best bullet for the 243 for long range I have ever used....B.C. .405 and I reload it with RL26 to 3100 FPS so very fast.

No experience - I use 105 Amax in 243 for deer when I do but to help out -

Shows in stock

Here too

Lot's of good options in 243 bullets. The Sierra 85 HPBT is a good deer bullet, but so are many others. I've used 90 and 95 Nosler BT's, 95 Hornady SST's, 90 Sierra TGK, and various 100 grain SP's.

The 85 grain Sierra SP is all that my 700 6mm BDL had shot in it for about the first 35 years of its life. No telling how many whitetails it killed with better than 90% falling where they stood at the sound of the gun. No issues getting through soft tissue shots or breaking one if not both shoulders.


87 grain Hornady BTHP and Sierra 85 grain HPBT are a little too tough for my liking.

Only reason I went to a 90 Ballistic Tip is it shoots a little bit better.

A tank full of IMR-4350 has worked fine for me in either 243 or 6mm. I will let you be the judge on how much you want to use.

Optics and ammo is a scam site !

I load 80 grain TTSX for the grandkids, kills pigs and deer well.

Readily avaliable, accurate, and kill deer extremely well.

It's what I'd be shooting if I was still using a .243.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010479074?pid=446766

Optics and ammo? LMAO

Did a quick google search and there are multiple distributors that claim to have you HPBT in stock.

If you just prefer to stick with then and aren't averse to mail order.

Some you guys have trouble reading.

Others have trouble putting a sentence together!

It would seem as if the OP has trouble reading "bullet availability". A quick midway search shows plenty IN STOCK. Was just offering up an alternative to something that is Readily Available.

Hi all. I used the 243 for years on whitetail and all I ever used was a 100 gr Hornady Interlock pushed by 40.5 gr of IMR4350. Out of the 12-15 deer I shot with that load all but one was DRT. I got him on the second shot and after skinning and examination it appeared that the bullet hit square on the point of the shoulder and turned and went down thru the body on the outside of the rib cage settling in the back of the ham. The second shot however broke both front shoulders and he flipped butt over noggin.
Personally if I was going to use a lighter bullet I would opt for a Barnes TSX around the 80-90 gr wt.

I grew up in SE Texas and there were only a couple of .243 users. The 6mm Remington (in a Model 742) was the Darling then. They (at least a half dozen) used the factory Remington 100gr CorLokt. It was a Gem. "However" I read where out in the Hill Country the 243 was King and they either used the 80gr factory load OR handloaded the 85 Sierra HPBT. I have shot a few Sierra 85s in my 243s, but never killed anything. I have played/used the 240Wby with 90x, the 6x47 (243 speeds) with the older 85xbt on Axis, Blackbuck, and Oryx just fine. The old Sierra reload manual showed alot of pictures of big deer killed with the 85 HPBT and the 243. It was impressive. I'm amazed it is as tough as they claim.

I would shoot the sierra 85 gr spitzers if they shoot well. Not the best bullet to punch through shoulders but they will work well for lung shots.

I like that bullet too. I can also see where the op likes the 85gr sgk. That is an excellent bullet. They have been damn hard to find lately though. Back to the 100gr interlock. That will work on any deer walking, and the beauty of them is they are in stock and reasonably priced. Midsouth usually has them for less than $30/box. Actually $28.89 and in stock right now. That's how I'd roll in these times. OP, I have a few boxes I'd sell for $25/box shipped if interested.


I have quite a few 80gr speers that would work well too..

They might surprise you.