guys i am currently bouncing around the 243 bullets and wanted to get yalls opinion on what works the best. i have used the berger vld and it has done devastating damage dropping a doe in her tracks Saturday morning. it was a neck shot but still alot of damage. I have also used the Hornady SST dropping a buck in its tracks heart shot. (i love these little 243 bullets no need for a blood trail when they drop dead). I just wanted to know what yall use and what your results where. i was looking at the sierra game kings and nosler partitions as well have yet to shoot. only problem with the berger my gun likes them slow 2600FPS but still plenty of damage so far. Opinions?

My favorite bullet for the 243 is the 90gr Swift Sirocco. I know it will hold together and penetrate well.

From what I have seen with Berger VLDs you might be better off with the lower velocity. It is a good bullet at long range where velocities have dropped off so on closer shots it might just be better starting it slower.

I believe I'm gonna load up some of the Nosler Accubonds to try for my 243 and if those don't work out the Swift S II's will be tried.

My 6mm Rem loves 95gr Nosler Partitions and 100gr Factory Coreloks (go figure).

Anyone ever try the Berger Hybrid bullet? How well do the swifts work on game?

I have several 6mm's 1-12, 1-10, 1-7.75, and 1-7.

The hybrids shine in the 1-7.75 and 1-7 I have just punched paper but once you nail the seating depth down and powder combo they shoot lights out.

I've never had excellent accuracy with the 95 & 85 partitions but acceptable for hunting.

The 1-10 I'm loading an 80gr gmx and it's a house of fire.

In my 22-6 ai I shoot a 75gr sirroco ii and it's a devestating bullet on wt. I have dropped a nilgai bull with it but even though it's a tough bullet it is under gunning for that animal. They are also VERY accurate.

Right now for the fast twist barrels I'm running the 115 dtac an vld with excellent results.

Hope this helps.

I've used 95 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips (both moly coated and plain) with devastating effects. Also extremely accurate in my guns.

95 grain nosler partitions and 95 grain nosler accubonds.

Have you used the dtac on game? What and what range? That bullet has great ballistics, the 243 makes great energy even at 1000yd with this bullet.


I shot lots of deer with 100gr corelokt before I started handloading. Good deer bullet.

If ya got enough twist, 95gr Berger VLD hunting bullets are simply fantastic.

I have used the dtac on whitetail sized game with very good results. 250 yds and in. I've shot yotes out to 600 with the dtacs with good results. Yes it out flies the 308 with ease. Ive really taken to this 6mm once I did my homework on the 115's.

OP,

I loaded some 100gr Sierra Game King spire points for a friend. They made .35 MOA, 5 shot group at 300 yards. I rang steel to 700 yards with em, and every animal he's shot has been DRT (coyotes and hogs)

We're going to try some 105 gr A-maxes next. I'll post results once I get it the recipe right for them.

I'll be watching this thread! I just started gathering loading data and components for my .243. I've been thinking Barnes 85 TSX at warp speed for whatever moves. Funny, until I finally broke down and bought one, I always thought the .243 just wasn't any good for real work on big critters! Oh how wrong I was...and that eye opener came from plain vanilla corelokt ammo. I can't wait to see what happens with good stuff.

243 is plenty of gun for deer hogs and other game.

In my opinion if more people would give 223 and 22-250 a try with game oriented bullets like partitions and barnes etc there would be another wake up call.

My savage loves the horny custom 100gr hp. They move along at 3400 fps. The only place I have ever found them is rays hardware in Dallas.

My favorite bullet in 243 is the 80gr ttsx . Nasty medicine

Yeah I've used the .243 for about 8yrs until I got my 6.8. That's fun too but I keep thinking of going back since .243 does all the 6.8 does, only a lot better!

My savage Axis doesnt seem to like heavy bullets. i have shot the 87 grain berger VLD with great results and varget powder. it has a 1-9.25 twist i think. the axis rifle has been a great cheap deer gun. im not worried about lending her our or scratching it up. i have actually started cutting notches in the stock for a kill count. anyone else load bullets for this rate of twist any opinions?

I have had good luck with the Hornady 100 grain soft points that they loaded in the Hornady Light Mags. I hate that they discontinued the Light Mags.