243 VLD for deer

S

shelton573

Active member
My brother just bought a 243 and was curious about me reloading some rounds for deer. After doing a bit of research, if I load some for him I think I will try some 95 gr berger VLDs over H4350 or H4895 powder. The 95 gr VLD is real hard to find right now but the 87s are not as hard to find. If we have to go with the 87s, My question is, have you all had good luck with 87s on deer? I have read that they will do the job very well and have watched some videos of them doing very well. Is there better powder options for the 87s? All of his shots will be inside 250 yards, most likely less than 200. He will use it for coyote hunting with me as well but I am willing to bet the 87 will kill coytes in a "Hammer of Thor" like fashion. Also if anyone knows where I can get some 95 gr please let me know. Thanks!

Shelton
 
Don't count out RL17 if you have access to it. I have heard rumors of it being temp sensitive, but my first hand experience with both RL17 and RL33 (both come from the Sweden facility) have been less than 1fps/degree which I'm perfectly OK with.
RL22 and 25...not so much.
 
Thanks for the info guys! His savage is a 1:9.25 twist, it SHOULD meet the 1:9 twist suggestion for the 95s right? I know ever gun is different etc. but in general. Thanks 220 swift for the site info. They seem to have a lot in stock! Thanks!

Shelton

PS. He tried his first factory load which was hornady superformance 95 gr and couldn't get it to shoot under 2 inches. It's a savage 11 TH. Told him to be patient hah
 
I run the nosler HBT 95g bullet in my Savage 22" sporter .243, 1/9.25" twist and it puts them under an inch @ 100 yds. I also run it w/w760 or RL19.
 
I have had good luck with 95s and Imr 4350. 10thou off the lands. 41 grains works great in my howa 20" barrel 1:10 twist. Just killed a coyote Sunday with that load at a hundred yards. Didn't even flinch after the shot. Had a silver dollar sized exit. Killed a few 2 years ago and it puts them down. Been hunting with the AR a lot but I just started loading the berger 80 gr flat base varmints still working on a loaf for those.
 
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Thanks for the info guys! I get to go home for a wedding this weekend so we are going to work with his rifle to get it under an inch with factory loads (hopefully) to get him through this year then we will start working with reloads. His wife has the same gun and I have one in 223 and they both shoot under and inch with factory ammo so I have no doubt his will too. Thanks again!

Shelton
 
Dont see much of a need for VLD bullets at a max range of 250 yards but hey who cares it will do great. If you cant find them I use a 90 grain NBT for deer out to 600 yards over a load of varget.
 
3DHusker, I have just read about good performance out of the VLDs on deer but i am open to trying others. Plus, I eventually want to build a long range 243 in the future and want to play around with the VLDs in 243 for reloading at his expense first haha.

Roninflag, I have some 4895 already so I will probably try some of that to.

Thanks guys!

Shelton
 
I shoot the 87's in my Vanguard and they do really well. Well enough that I'm not willing to start over with the 95 grain bullets. They are a little flatter shooting and I don't think a deer will notice much difference in 8 grains less weight.
 
Originally Posted By: shelton5733DHusker, I have just read about good performance out of the VLDs on deer but i am open to trying others. Plus, I eventually want to build a long range 243 in the future and want to play around with the VLDs in 243 for reloading at his expense first haha.

Roninflag, I have some 4895 already so I will probably try some of that to.

Thanks guys!

Shelton

I use the 243 for most of my long range hunting. Love it. I shoot VLD's in my 6.5 and 308 for further out.
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Originally Posted By: 3DHUSKEROriginally Posted By: shelton5733DHusker, I have just read about good performance out of the VLDs on deer but i am open to trying others. Plus, I eventually want to build a long range 243 in the future and want to play around with the VLDs in 243 for reloading at his expense first haha.

Roninflag, I have some 4895 already so I will probably try some of that to.

Thanks guys!

Shelton

I use the 243 for most of my long range hunting. Love it. I shoot VLD's in my 6.5 and 308 for further out.
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I bet they are real nasty out of your 6.5! I have watched videos of of people putting the hammer down on deer with the VLD out of the 243 out to 4-600 yds and thats what made me very interested in them. I may have to look into the NBTs for him too. I always liked the way they performed out of my 270. How far out would you feel comfortable shooting deer with an 87 gr? Thanks for the info!

Shelton
 
I load the 95s over 41.5gr IMR4350 and get just over 3000fps out of 1-9.125" twist.

They will kill deer well, as will the 87, if you place them accordingly.....
 
My main load for my cbi barreled savage is 95 gr vld hunting, 42.5 gr of h4350 lit by a 9 1/2m rem primer. Very accurate. Hope to have a field report on it soon.
 
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