Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Best single bullet for 243?

I have a Ruger Ultralight in 243 and I'd like to start handloading for it. I'm looking for something that will do the trick for everything from antelope to (occasionally) large deer. I'm getting to the point in life where I want a single load for each rifle - 115 Nosler Partition for my 257 Roberts, 140 TSX for my 7mm-08, 150 Accubond for my 30-06, etc.

For the 243, I like the idea of a slightly lighter and faster bullet than the traditional 100gr/2960 fps (although I'll listen to any suggestions). I have a friend who has used the Hornady 87gr BTHP "loaded at fast as it will go" for many years and has killed everything up to elk (14 at latest count) with it in a 22" barreled Sako.

What I don't like about his load is the fact that he states that if you hit bone at relatively close range, it can result in "bloodshot meat in everything from shoulder to hip". I really hate wasting meat.

I'll probably be using H100V, since I have some on hand. In the Hodgdon load data, it can push an 80gr Hornady GMX at 3300 fps, the 85gr TSX at 3267 fps, the 90gr Speer softpoint at 3204 fps and the 95gr Nosler Partition at 3113 fps.

Now, my Ruger only has a 19" barrel, so I know I'll lose a bit of velocity, but there should still be an all-around load that will serve my needs.

How about it? What's your opinion on one bullet and one powder in the 243 for antelope, whitetails and big muleys?

80TTSX and IMR or H4350

IMR 4350 and 80 grain Nosler ballistic Tip or Barnes TTSX

I wouldn't shy away from the 95 Ballistic Tip and one of the 4350s.

H100V seems to beat out H4350 by about 100fps with similar bullets. Is there some advantage to 4350 that I don't know about?

Over your chrono, or in the books? I haven't tried H100V.

It's real easy to get super accuracy with a 4350 and 90-100 gr. class bullets.

From the Hodgdon web site.

85 grain Barnes Triple Shock and H380.

85gr Nosler Partition

czech1022,

It would depend on the temperature ranges you hunt in. H4350 is MUCH more temperature-resistant than H100V.

When I tested H100V with 165-grain bullets in the .30-06 at 70 and 0 Fahrenheit, it lost almost 176 fps. There goes your 100 fps advantage.

95 gr NBT & Hunter or Magnum.

OK guys, let's narrow this down. I'm sold on H4350. So forget the powder, concentrate on the bullet.

Write ONLY about your actual experience with a particular bullet and why you recommend it: 80 GMX, 80 or 95 NBT, 95 Partition or 85 TTSX.

Thanks for all responses so far!

The Sierra 100 SMP was my 'go-to' bullet in the 6mm when I had one - and it really worked well on caribou. If anything, the 95 NPT was even more impressive however when it came to 'watching the show'. The times I used that bullet on caribou resulted in "down-right-now" kills every time. The 95 (or 85) NPT would be my choice for a single load in the 243 for hunting.

If you ddn't have that dink 19" barrel I'd say 7828 and 100 gr Horn SP and soldier on, but by having a short tube I'd probably try to squeeze as much vel and accuracy out of a 95 gr NPT as I could get. Magnum Man

95gr Ballistic Tip.

Remington, or Sierra 80-grainers in the .243, because I have a reduced-recoil load that'll get near 2,700 fps, using IMR SR 4759. Great for gettin' folks started with centerfires, and never failed to kill what it hit. (very light recoil)

I see no reason the Hornady GMX, in 80-grain wouldn't work, and would offer the added benefit of being sensible with the H4350 at much higher velocities (over 3,100 fps). In fact, once my current stock of 80-grainers is gone, I'm headed that direction.

Granted, an 80-grain bullet doesn't make the .243 a 500-yard rifle, but then again, neither does a 100-grain bullet.

Another vote for the 95gr ballistic tip

Save yourself a lot of money, the 90g Speer is the way to go. SChitt is not hard to kill, just place your shot or don't pull the trigger.

I waffle on 'Best' in this cal.

Often shoot the 95BT, but killed w/70 TNTs, son has w/85 BTHP, used 100 Partition, 105 Amax - all on deer, all worked.

So the 95 BT is typically my go to, but I have some 80 TTSX loaded now....and want to put a few under my belt. Convinced for ME, these 2 are the ultimate, my biased opinion

That said, look here at the 85 TSX I dropped a hog, those work as well as an 80TTSX I am sure, actually that may have been the Boatail 'x' or XBT which I think is about the same in terminal performance. But take a look at the link below. Scroll down for story/pics.

I will say this, if you shoot LONG Distances, a Barnes may not be ideal, a softer bullet like the 95BT, along w/it's higher BC and weight, will hit harder, no matter under 300 yds or perhaps some further. My kill below was 240 yds from a 20" bbl, at 3100 mv.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...ger_1_International_Who_has_#Post3091822

`85 grin TSX