Best 243 Ammo for Deer Hunting This Rifle Season
The 243 Winchester is one of my favorite deer hunting cartridges for new and recoil-sensitive hunters, but it can perform poorly when we don't use the best 243 ammo for deer hunting.
That’s why I rounded up a few of my favorite 243 rounds to take to the woods this deer season.
As you continue reading, you’ll learn which ammo is right for you based on performance, price, and availability. Alright, enough chit chat, let’s get to it.
Black Hills Gold 85 Grain TSX - Best 243 Ammo for Deer Overall
Black Hills Gold Ammunition 243 Win Ammo - 20 Rounds of 85 Grain TSX Ammunition
30 In stock now
Specs
- Bullet Weight: 85 grains
- Case: Brass
- Muzzle Velocity: 3,100 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 1,813 ft-lbs
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Trusted high-end brand | ✗ Expensive |
| ✓ Accurate | ✗ Less abundant than other well-known brands |
| ✓ Excellent penetration | ✗ Copper bullets don't expand as well |
| ✓ Flat shooting | — |
| ✓ High-quality components | — |
Why I Chose It
Black Hills Ammunition is known for incredible consistency, accuracy, penetration, and flat trajectories because they use high-quality components to craft excellent hunting ammunition.
I love 85-grain Barnes TSX bullets because they deliver incredible penetration and reliable, predictable expansion, ensuring an ethical kill even when your shot is a little off. You shouldn't have to worry about your bullet missing the mark because the TSX is also very accurate and has a sleek bullet profile to aid in a flat trajectory. TSX bullets are monolithic copper, which means you can hunt in areas that restrict lead projectiles.
Speaking of the high-quality bullets, this ammo has about as flat a trajectory as you can expect from a 243 Win bullet, which also aids in consistency and accuracy. For detailed velocity, energy, and drop data across popular 243 loads, check out our comprehensive 243 Winchester ballistics page.
Black Hills Gold is expensive, so be prepared to slim your wallet a bit when you purchase it. Another downside is that it's not quite as abundant as ammo from companies like Federal, Hornady, Remington, and Winchester. Even so, it's produced in sufficient quantities to keep hunters satisfied.
Even with its couple of downsides, Black Hills Gold 85 grain TSX is the best 243 ammo for deer hunting. It's accurate, consistent, and has excellent terminal ballistics and a flat trajectory.
Fiocchi 95 Grain SST - Best 243 Ammo for Deer at 300 Yards
Fiocchi 243 Win Ammo - 20 Rounds of 95 Grain SST Ammunition
Out of stock
Specs
- Bullet Weight: 95 grains
- Case: Brass
- Muzzle Velocity: 2,950 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 1,835 ft-lbs
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Trusted brand | ✗ Heavier bullets can mean more recoil |
| ✓ Intermediate price | — |
| ✓ High-quality components | — |
| ✓ Flat shooting | — |
| ✓ Heavier bullets are less affected by the wind | — |
Why I Chose It
Fiocchi 95 grain SST deer hunting ammo is a great option when you need to max out your 243's effective range. It's flat shooting, accurate, and consistent. The Super Shock Tip (SST) bullet creates devastating wound channels because the polymer tip helps it expand on impact. The secant ogive, boattail profile makes it more efficient with less drag and greater stability, ensuring it is as accurate as possible. The cannellure and Interlock Ring help keep the core and jacket together, ensuring maximum weight retention for better penetration.
Fiocchi continues to gain popularity in the U.S. market due to their reasonable pricing and high-quality ammo. We know we aren't wasting our money on crappy ammo when we purchase Fiocchi.
These rounds are flat shooting and accurate, making them effective for longer shots of ~300 yards. It's important to bear in mind that the 243 Win maxes out shortly after 300 yards for deer hunting. It doesn't maintain enough energy for an ethical kill farther out than that.
The only downside to these rounds is that they'll kick a little more (than lighter projectiles) because they are loaded with heavier bullets and a higher muzzle velocity. But the 243 isn't known for heavy recoil, so it will still be very manageable.
Check out Fiocchi 95 grain SST deer hunting rounds if you need to take longer shots on deer during this season.
Winchester Copper Impact 85 Grain Copper Extreme Point - Best Option for Close Shots
Winchester Copper Impact 243 Win Ammo - 20 Rounds of 85 Grain Copper Extreme Point Ammunition
1 In stock now
Specs
- Bullet Weight: 85 grain
- Case: Brass
- Muzzle Velocity: 3,260 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 2,005 ft-lbs
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Trusted brand | ✗ Copper doesn't expand as well a lead upon impact |
| ✓ Packs a punch | — |
| ✓ Flat shooting | — |
| ✓ Reasonably priced | — |
Why I Chose It
Winchester Copper Impact 85 grain Copper Extreme Point ammo is great for close shots because it's produced by a trusted brand (and the namesake of the 243 Winchester), flat shooting, reasonably priced, and packs a punch for a lighter bullet.
Whether you hunt in areas that don't allow lead projectiles or want to be a little more environmentally conscious, these polymer-tipped copper bullets are more than capable of taking down deer at 200 yards.
I appreciate that these rounds aren't ridiculously priced. They cost the same as other high-quality rounds. Since it's Winchester ammunition, you can trust it'll perform as advertised without breaking the bank.
The most significant downside is the fact that copper doesn't expand as much as lead. However, Winchester uses a polymer tip on these rounds to aid in expansion upon impact.
Overall, you won't be disappointed with Winchester Copper Impact Extreme Point 85 grain rounds for close-range shots.
Which 243 Grain Is Best?
The best 243 bullet weight is 95 grains because it's capable of making long- and close-range shots. One hundred grain and 85 grain bullets are also great choices. If you're hunting larger deer, then the 100 grain bullet is the better option. If you're hunting smaller deer, the 85 grain bullet will be plenty. For shooters considering whether the 243 Win is the right deer cartridge for their needs, our 243 vs 270 comparison examines how it stacks up against another popular deer hunting round.
Testing Procedure
When choosing the best 243 ammo for this article, I based my decisions on my personal experiences, conversations with other ammunition experts, and research on what other hunters have said about them. I also based my picks on brand reputation, cost, availability, and performance. If you're looking to practice with your 243 rifle before hunting season, see our guide to the best 243 ammo for target shooting.
Parting Shots: Best 243 Ammo for Deer Hunting
Now you know the best 243 ammo for deer hunting is Black Hills Gold 85 Grain TSX, because it's consistent, accurate, flat shooting, and offers excellent penetration. You'll be able to push your 243 rifle to its limits while hunting deer with these rounds.
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