Guaranteed exit with .243?

[tnv]

I've been playing with the .243 the last few years and it's more of an enigma in bullet performance than the .30 cals for deer. I've stuck to cup-n-core bullets; I've used everything from Core-Lokts, Nosler Bal tips, Sierra 85 gr HPBT and 100 gr Speer BTSP. The Speer 100 gr BTSP have been amazing in the accuracy dept but come apart in the deer and don't exit.

With that said, is there a cup-n-core bullet that will offer an exit when hitting bone? What I'm really looking for here is something that offers a blood trail. I know going to monolithics will offer that but don't want to go that route yet. I'm stuck with a factory 9.125 twist for the moment.

 

[hangunnr]

Take a look at the 95gr NBT or the 90gr AccuBond.

 

[Dude270]

I've never caught a 95 nosler bt even when shooting shoulders.

I'd say about the surest bet for exits with cup and cores would be partitions. They kill very well too

 

[tnv]

I forgot to mention that I have used the Nosler 95 BT. I've caught a couple and had some erratic results. I shot for shoulders a couple years back and the BT came apart on the first shoulder. It never made it to the second. Deer died but it wasn't a quick death.

 

[Big Stick]

105 Skinner.................

 

[Dude270]

They are sturdy for sure

 

[hangunnr]

If you don’t mind me asking, why aren’t you interested in the monos at this time?

 

[tnv]

Hangunnr,
I have no experience with them. The cost has always turned me away. Also having factory tubes on hunting rifles .264/9 twist, 6mm/9.125 twist limits me to some degree. I will say the GMX has piqued my interest. I know Stick always favored Barnes.

 

[Dude270]

If you want exits for sure I'd look at the 85 tsx or 80ttsx. They kill wonderfully if you shoot shoulders but a lung shot through the ribs can take a while

 

[dznnf7]

That's my experience with TTSX's as well in the smaller sizes. The 223 50gr has killed a bunch of deer for me, but they don't do a lot of damage on their way through. Lungs only and you get a smaller blood trail and a few-hundred-yard run. I'll probably stop using them. The 120's in 6.5 are different; the effect is more sudden and similar to a cup and core. If you hit bone or center punch the heart the 223 is a more dramatic killer. I've had perfect performance from 108 ELDM's in the few deer hit with them, but they were from a 6BR so the velocity was more moderate.

 

[tnv]

I've got some 100gr old-school Hornady Interlock BTSP on hand. I'm wondering how they'll do compared to the Speer 100 gr BTSP. I'm thinking maybe a little better.

 

[hangunnr]

The 9-1/8 twist in your factory barrel isn’t an issue with the 80gr TTSX.
This was shot with a heavily pitted factory Rem barrel. Haven’t used any other brand mono but I’m open to trying them.

Can’t comment yet on the 264 dia Barnes as I’m just starting with those in a full length rifle. They shot well in my 260 XP100r but there were better choices for that short barrel.

I do agree that lung shots aren’t DRT killers with the monos but I’ve never had any deer that was properly hit go over 75 yds or so. I do like that there isn’t massive blood shot meat which at least for me has been the norm for cup and core and bonded bullets.

Too expensive, yes, but I don’t spend any time shooting them into the hill unless load development is going on.

 

[Dude270]

I agree about the 22 cal barnes, they need bone. The 6mms seem about the same

Watch those 108 elds though, I'm shooting them in a creedmoor and they are barely making it to the offside ribcage with broadside lung shots.

I never shot a lot of the hornady 100 btsp but shot a good many 100 gr flat bases. They killed great

 

[dznnf7]

I've read the reports on the 108's with interest. Definitely not enthused about pushing them faster than the BR does based on that. My kid hunts with a 243. I was thinking I'd probably go to 105 BTHP's.

 

[bobnob]

I always use non monos. I can’t believe anyone is ever happy with game running off. Even if it’s only 50 yards. Yes sometimes it happens but with cup and cores in the right spot they never run more than a small handful of body lengths!

 

[Big Stick]

I don't shoot Critters to "be nice". X's are for Bone Bustin',not lungs.

Meat gets shot in the head.......................

 

[bgold]

In .224" I've had a bunch of critters fall to 62gr TSX, and likewise 85gr in .243. I'll probably try 80 TTSX once my 85s run out...but haven't complained about performance of a Barnes yet. Of course we are busting shoulders with them as should be.

 

[Big Stick]

Seen it and it's a nice place to be.

In .224" it's 75/88/90 Hornies for me. In .243" the 105 HPBT Hornie is THE mainstay,but A-Max of like mass still are flying and the 108's don't suck. The 11) Beer Can is sumptin',if you've the mechanics to arrange same.

Nice "problems" to have.........................