Years back my wife and I had good results using a .243 with the 100gr Sierra Game King bullets for deer and antelope.
I've since gone to a 6.5x55 or 7x57 for all my hunting.
I want to build up some loads for a buddy's son and his .243
Been thinking about maybe using the 95gr Nosler Ballistic tip.
Pros or cons of each????
Not planning on shooting over 200 yards
Thank you
the 95 NBT is as deer perfect a deer bullet as you will find.
Pay double for the Nosler and get the same effect as the GK.When the .243 came out there was a lot of complaints about bullet failures.Once everyone learn that if they used 100gr bullets, hardly no matter the color of the box,they worked just fine.
Although today there are lighter, but tougher bullets on the market, the 100gr GK when pushed at velocities it was designed for still works fine. Although my .243 likes the flat base Prohunter better than the BT, as many rifles do. A lot of these newer bullets are answers to problems that never existed. JMHO
For drt 99% of the time give me the GK.
One deer killing SOB in the 243 or 6mm.
I prefer the 95 ballistic tip but a 100 SGK is a great bullet that works well for deer and antelope
My Rem 700 in .243 likes the newer 90 grain tipped Gameking however I have yet to shoot a deer with it. It also likes the 100 grain Pro Hunter.
I've used both. And several others. I spent a lot of time with a couple of .243s and constantly experimented with them.
As for the bullets, accuracy was about equal, but the Nosler seemed to be able to hold together better. Though no more than 3 or 4 samples each, on close shots through the lungs, the Nosler always exited, the Sierra never did.
All 8 or so deer died right away, but I feel more confident in the Nosler to hold together better and penetrate better on a raking shot.
I also tried the Pro Hunter, but it did not penetrate as well as the Nosler, nor did the Hornady Interlok.
Only the TSX or TTSX would, and of those two, I preferred the TTSX. But, the Nosler was more accurate in both rifles and was pretty much my favorite.
I rebarreled both .243s to .308...
Another Nosler fan. Have not used any Sierras for more years than I can remember they worked fine but just did not instill the confidence I have in the 95 Noslers.
From what I understand, Gail Root, former ballistician at Nosler's favorite rifle/caliber was the 243 and he was given a free hand to design the 95 Ballistic Tip to his liking/specifications.
He designed the bullet to be a very tough big game bullet , tough enough to take elk, as he used his 243 on elk. He was apparently a one rifle guy, and did an excellent job designing the 95 grain Ballistic Tip IMHO.
Never really tried the Nbts 95 trainers, you guys buy them all up !(lol) . The Sierras-have been great anytime anywhere I reload them ,great post saddlesore , yeah 243’s my type of fun !.
You might want to try the 100gr Hornady btsp interlock as well. They were available the other day at midsouth. I grabbed 500. My buddies have killed deer with the interlock in their 243's.. But out of the bullets you ask about, I'd choose the 100gr GK over the ballistic tip.
.243 100gr Hornady btsp available at midsouth
Used both. In the 243 I like the Nosler the best.
GreggH
I shot a lot of antelope and deer with 100gr Hornady SP flatnase the best cup and core ever in the 243 the btsp isn't as durable. 95 he NPT's work well so do 100's as well as the 95 nbt. Sierra bullets have never held together for me well. Mb
Seen it work well on cow elk as well.
the 95 NBT is as deer perfect a deer bullet as you will find.
100g hornady btsp is a tougher bullet than the Sierra, we have killed more than a few big bucks in Kansas, and a ton of hogs with it.
NEVER pass up on a 95g SST, dang what a bullet! This bullet is the sleeper in the whole crowd of deer bullets, not many know just how well it performs!