.243 85 grain Partition

[Guide]

I’ve got a Henry .243 rifle coming soon. I plan on hunting whitetail deer in Maine. Shooting distances will be under 100 yards most times. Actually I would say shots would be 35-75 yards. I looked at reviews and it seems most people really like it. I saw Nosler has them at an excellent price and thought it might be a good way to go. I know many have said try 4-5 different ammo that would cost more than but with the price of it retail that’s not going to happen. Any information greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Guide

 

[JD338]

Welcome to the forum.
The 85 gr PT will get the job done but in my opinion, the 100 hr PT will really shine. The extra weight will help to reach the vitals on quartering shots of smash a shoulder. The 100 gr PT will usually exit giving you a better blood trail if needed.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

Welcome!

I support JD338's opinion. I used the 85 grain Partitions all the way back in the 1970's. They were okay, the 100's were far better. Particularly since you're shooting at such short ranges, you don't need gobs of velocity. A heavier bullet will serve you better.

Regards, Guy

 

[bkordon]

I agree with Guy and JD338. The weight gain with 100gr will outweigh any potential velocity gain dropping to 85gr. Personally, I've also found my accuracy is better with a heavier bullet with what I load. I also tend to stick with a load and not tinker much once I find a sweet spot.

 

[AFG270]

Welcome to the forum.
I agree with the above, except when I shoot monos. In my 243 truck gun I shoot 100g PT, but for lead-free I shoot 80g Hammers. Hammer Hunters work great on both deer and coyotes.

 

[jimbires]

I never loaded the 85 gr partitions . the 100 grain partitions really work well for whitetail hunting .

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Of the different 243s that I had the Nosler 100gr PT did the best for me of the different bullets I shot deer with. Didn't try the 85gr Pt.
Dan.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

As others have stated, the 100 grain Partition is the bullet you want for the parameters you have described. Over the years I’ve guided a couple of younger hunters who used a .243 flinging the 100 grain Partition to take down cow elk. All their shots were under 250 yards and broadside. I cannot remember any of them shooting more than twice.

 

[KinleyWater]

The only reason I could think to use the 85 is if for whatever reason, the 100 won't group in your rifle. Then, just be a bit more choosey about your shots.

 

[Bruce Mc]

Currently one of my 243s is loaded up with 90gr Accubonds. I looked back over my deeds with the 243 and I think I've only killed deer with the 100gr Corelokt, factory, and the 100gr Sierra Game King.

 

[bdbrown66]

With my .243, I have taken deer with the 100gr Sierra GameKing, 95gr Nosler BT, and 85gr Sierra GKHP. With my loaner rifle, my young lady friend has killed 5 using the 100gr Federal Power Shock soft point. When my kids were young, they killed several using 100gr Remington CoreLokt.

 

[JD338]

The only reason I could think to use the 85 is if for whatever reason, the 100 won't group in your rifle. Then, just be a bit more choosey about your shots.

If the 100 gr PT didn't shoot, I'd look at the 95 gr PT than the 90 gr AB.

JD338

 

[PJGunner]

Probably won't be much help but with my first .243, while I never shot a deer with the rifle, four of my neighbor kids did use my rifle for their first deer hunt and all got their animal. Bullet used was the 100 gr. Hornday SPFB over IIRC, H4350. I gave that rifle to the son of a friend for his birthday. It's one I should have kept.

My next .243 is a Ruger #1A and groups are adequate for deer with the Hornady bullet mentioned but I did more work with the 85 gr. Sierra Game King, a hollow point bullet reputed to be tougher than the spitzer version of that weight bullet. So far that load using W760 has been disappointing. I haven't tried the 100 gr.Hornady in that rifle yet so maybe. Ruger #1s can be frustratingly fusssy about bullet weights and velocity. So far, that same 85 gr. load has been another disappointment in a post 64 Winchester made sometime between 1965 and 1968. Again. maybe the 100 gr. Hornady might make a difference. It's not that I favor that Hornady bullet, but I have quite a few on hand. It's just getting the lead out and loading a few test loads to try.
Paul B.

 

[Guide]

Hello,
This is a cut and paste from the Nosler website. You look up .243 100 grain it comes up and you click on specs for the 100 grain Partition this is where says bullet type AccuBond nor Partition. If you do this with the 85 grain Partition it says in specs bullet type it does say Partition.

PRODUCT NAME	243 Win 100gr Partition Trophy Grade Ammunition
COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE	United States
BOX QTY	20
MANUFACTURER SKU	61046
TYPE	Ammunition
PROPOSITION 65	Yes
SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS	Yes
CARTRIDGE	243 Winchester
AMMUNITION USE	Deer Sized Game
BULLET PROFILE	Spitzer
BULLET TYPE	AccuBond
BULLET WEIGHT	100gr
LEAD FREE	No
TEST BARREL LENGTH	24"
TEST BARREL TWIST	1-10"
HANDGUN AMMUNITION	No

 

[bdbrown66]

Probably won't be much help but with my first .243, while I never shot a deer with the rifle, four of my neighbor kids did use my rifle for their first deer hunt and all got their animal. Bullet used was the 100 gr. Hornday SPFB over IIRC, H4350. I gave that rifle to the son of a friend for his birthday. It's one I should have kept.

My next .243 is a Ruger #1A and groups are adequate for deer with the Hornady bullet mentioned but I did more work with the 85 gr. Sierra Game King, a hollow point bullet reputed to be tougher than the spitzer version of that weight bullet. So far that load using W760 has been disappointing. I haven't tried the 100 gr.Hornady in that rifle yet so maybe. Ruger #1s can be frustratingly fusssy about bullet weights and velocity. So far, that same 85 gr. load has been another disappointment in a post 64 Winchester made sometime between 1965 and 1968. Again. maybe the 100 gr. Hornady might make a difference. It's not that I favor that Hornady bullet, but I have quite a few on hand. It's just getting the lead out and loading a few test loads to try.
Paul B.

When you say that the 85gr GKHP has been disappointing, do you mean performance on game, or accuracy-wise?

 

[jimbires]

Hello,
This is a cut and paste from the Nosler website. You look up .243 100 grain it comes up and you click on specs for the 100 grain Partition this is where says bullet type AccuBond nor Partition. If you do this with the 85 grain Partition it says in specs bullet type it does say Partition.

PRODUCT NAME	243 Win 100gr Partition Trophy Grade Ammunition
COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE	United States
BOX QTY	20
MANUFACTURER SKU	61046
TYPE	Ammunition
PROPOSITION 65	Yes
SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS	Yes
CARTRIDGE	243 Winchester
AMMUNITION USE	Deer Sized Game
BULLET PROFILE	Spitzer
BULLET TYPE	AccuBond
BULLET WEIGHT	100gr
LEAD FREE	No
TEST BARREL LENGTH	24"
TEST BARREL TWIST	1-10"
HANDGUN AMMUNITION	No

I see why you're questioning this . this has to be a misprint . the Partition , and AccuBond are two different bullets . there is no 100 grain AccuBond bullet in .243 diameter .

 

[Guide]

Thanks, I didn’t everyone thinking I’m losing it. I’m going to talk to Nosler to confirm what we both think. That’s why I was considering the 85 grain plus it’s on sale for about 34 bucks!
Guide

 

[PJGunner]

When you say that the 85gr GKHP has been disappointing, do you mean performance on game, or accuracy-wise?

I got poor accuracy from that bullet. that was a surprise I didn't expect.
Paul B.

 

[bdbrown66]

I got poor accuracy from that bullet. that was a surprise I didn't expect.
Paul B.

My rifle likes them just fine, lol.

 

[KinleyWater]

One of the things I find fascinating about this art is how much things can change from one load to the next and one rifle to the next. Keeps it interesting.