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Hello all

I'm just starting reloading my own ammo and I would appreciate if any of you had some pointers on a good powder/bullet for deer hunting.

I do have a couple of reloading books but nothing like advice from people that actually shoot

Thank you in advance

What type of deer?

Pressure tested data from handloading manuals and powder manufacturers should always be your first port of call and never vary from the recommended minimum and maximum loads, if sources disagree then always go with the lowest. Always be sure the publisher has pressure tested the data. Never trust plagiarised data like Lee do in their worthless tome.

Vihtavuori N160 under a Hornady FBSP 100 gn Interlock does it for me, use Vihtavuori data and work up accuracy load from minimum recommended. Do not exceed maximum recommended.

Same load works equally well in my .243"s and my 6mm Musgrave.

To be honest though I far prefer the .303" and the .270" when it comes to the reds.

To my mind the .243" is almost a hinds rifle or less.

I used to be able to buy H414 for .243 Still have some but you can't get it anymore due to REACH banning it. With the right bullet placement a .243 and a 105grn will drop any deer and I have shot Fallow with one, although that was only because we were after Roe and a Fallow came onto the scene. Mostly I use my .308.
A lot depends on your rifle as some .243 won't stabilise a 105grn bullet.........and some will. My Tikka T3 will.
Best thing to do is try out some heavier bullets or see if someone will give you a couple of rounds of ammo to try out.

I would heartily recommend RL 22 and the Nosler 95 gr ballistic tip. If anything this combination can be too efficient on game. It is also likely to stabilise well in your rifle as the standard .243 twist off the shelf is in my opinion this calibres only negative.

Ewen

I believe that lead free bullets are required for deer stalking. That being the case I do not believe the .243 can be made to use said bullets to meet the power/velocity requirements.
Get yourself a nice second hand 6,5x55 or 30-06

Lead free bullets are only required if they are going into the public food chain. If you are using the meat for personal use then you can still use lead bullets.

Graham M wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:10 pm Lead free bullets are only required if they are going into the public food chain. If you are using the meat for personal use then you can still use lead bullets.

And how long do you think that will last before they change the rules.

I'm fully aware of that, but at the moment I was giving live information not conjecture.

Further to mhy comment above I have found that most .243 rifles with standard twist barrels will not stabilise 100gr bullets that are required for deer hunting. Correct me if I am wrong. I am thinking of Roe and bigger deer in this instance.

The 100gn interlocks work in my older model .243"s. Mauser Model 66, Parker Hale and the Musgrave Springbok rifle in 6mm Musgrave. You need the flat based ones not the boattail as they don't stabilise too well must just be that smidgeon too long for the twist.

They are ok for Roe but if I am going for anything larger then a heavier bullet/calibre would be my choice.

The .243 will kill reds with proper shot placement, so will a .22 rimfire but that doesn't mean it should be the round of choice, as well as being illegal. There are just so many variables in the field that I like as much of an extra margin as I can get in proportion to the quarry.

As a well known big game hunter said when he was asked why he used to .600" Nitro express, at that time the most powerful commercial round available, he answered "because I can't get anything bigger"!