.243 Winchester ammunition for fallow deer (best factory choice)

P

padda72

Member
Hi,
After using just one rifle (Blaser R8 Professional Success 30-06) for the past 12 years I have decided to purchase another barrel.
By no means an easy decision on my part (hummed & hawed for about a year) I eventually settled on the .243 Winchester, and ordered a 20” barrel threaded for a Freyr & Devik Ultimate Silence 281.
I predominantly stalk fallow deer, and the occasional sika or red. The .243 will almost exclusively be used on fallow (keeping the 30-06 for the sika or reds).
I regularly dip in and out of the site, and find it a great source of information and knowledge with a practical and often humorous edge.
Can I get some suggestions for a factory load (I’m in Ireland, so reloading not an option) for that barrel length/calibre please?
I stalk for meat, and will head/neck shoot when I can, but know my limitations and take chest shots if the conditions dictate.
PS using 165gr Federal Fusion in the 30-06 with no complaints for 12 years.
Thanks in advance.
P.
 
Thanks, that’s something I’ve thought about too. Was considering starting with non lead, but when asked, the dealer where I bought the barrel, he said virtually no take up on copper.
 
Sako gamehead in 100gr as mentioned above has been fantastic for me. Shooting a Sako A7s in .243 out of what I am 99% is a 22" barrel. I have well over 300 deer taken with that rifle and ammo combination.
I had some fantastic luck with cheap PPU ammo for years before switching to Sako gamehead. I was using the 100gr softpoints but when I went to get more they only had 90gr in stock, for some reason my rifle didn't like them at all, otherwise I'd probably still be using the cheap stuff.
Best of luck and hopefully you find something that works well for you.
 
Mr.Sloth said:
Sako gamehead in 100gr as mentioned above has been fantastic for me. Shooting a Sako A7s in .243 out of what I am 99% is a 22" barrel. I have well over 300 deer taken with that rifle and ammo combination.
I had some fantastic luck with cheap PPU ammo for years before switching to Sako gamehead. I was using the 100gr softpoints but when I went to get more they only had 90gr in stock, for some reason my rifle didn't like them at all, otherwise I'd probably still be using the cheap stuff.
Best of luck and hopefully you find something that works well for you.
Click to expand...
Thanks Mr. S. Appreciate the advice.
 
Sierra 85 gr BTHP (#1530) or the same bullet as a 90 gr (#4100) with the plastic tip are fantastic.

Sierra makes a factory load called game changer that uses the second option. Also Sig Sauer makes a similar load using the first option.
 
Rws 100gr has worked well in both my 243s and kills fallow great.
Been using Norma whitetail lately as that was what was available and found one properly disintegrate and deposit hundreds of lead particles all round a large fallow buck I chest shot, some a long way from the bullet wound and into the saddle.
After that experience I’ll be changing to non lead when that has run out, you may as well start at non lead.
But I expect it’ll be a mix of what your shop has and what your rifle specifically likes rather than what anyone here can recommend.
 
padda72 said:
Hi,
After using just one rifle (Blaser R8 Professional Success 30-06) for the past 12 years I have decided to purchase another barrel.
By no means an easy decision on my part (hummed & hawed for about a year) I eventually settled on the .243 Winchester, and ordered a 20” barrel threaded for a Freyr & Devik Ultimate Silence 281.
I predominantly stalk fallow deer, and the occasional sika or red. The .243 will almost exclusively be used on fallow (keeping the 30-06 for the sika or reds).
I regularly dip in and out of the site, and find it a great source of information and knowledge with a practical and often humorous edge.
Can I get some suggestions for a factory load (I’m in Ireland, so reloading not an option) for that barrel length/calibre please?
I stalk for meat, and will head/neck shoot when I can, but know my limitations and take chest shots if the conditions dictate.
PS using 165gr Federal Fusion in the 30-06 with no complaints for 12 years.
Thanks in advance.
P.
Click to expand...
I have been using in my .243 95gn Hornaday for around 8/9 years for Foxes muntjac roe Fallow Reds.
Why is that, so after stalking I will carry on foxing with the same round then on a couple of bits a few Reds come through as the main deer are muntjac. Quite a savage round but had some good results with chest shots just wiping out the lungs.
Neck shots just fine.
 
Privi partisan 90gr sp, they’re cheap though not as cheap as from the UK :(

Been using for fallow over here for the past 10 years, accurate in my Howa .243 , I always buy a few hundred at a time and ensure they’re the same batch numbers. Once zeroed no variation within the same batch.

I’ve shot maybe 300 deer using them (roe and fallow) never had reason to complain ( bought Remington core lockt that were different lengths- returned to rfd but decided at that point why pay more if Privi do the job.)

I do support comments that if you have a larger calibre then on big bucks on quality pasture, I’d use that rather than the 243. 243 means they’re dead but might run 50 yards into a drain/ditch, using something like your 30-06 they usually will just fold. 243 is great for does though :)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Help with my next rifle
2 3
Replies
45
Views
3K
Karhumies
K
243 on fallow bucks
2 3 4
Replies
77
Views
6K
paul k
paul k
.243 to .223, purely for fox 🤔
3 4 5
Replies
95
Views
4K
Smellydog
Smellydog
Best take down .243 rifle?
2 3
Replies
42
Views
2K
North Cornwall Deer
North Cornwall Deer
.275 Rigby - Heart vs head
2 3 4
Replies
64
Views
4K
suburban bushwacker
suburban bushwacker
1967spud Reloading Supplies Ltd - UK Suppliers for Reloading Equipment supplies, We also stock Bullet Heads and Bullet Cases Guns Cabinets, Night vision and much much more...
Back
Top