243 good for muleys?

Assuming that the bullet is placed correctly, I would say that 300 yards is a good number if a well-constructed bullet in 95-100 grains is used. At that range, any good bullet will penetrate and damage vital organs sufficient to cause expiration quickly. So, three essential keys; Accuracy, accuracy, and good bullets and you should be able to cleanly take any Mule Deer at normal ranges.-----SS

Thank you for the info.

Shooting a 243 T C Pro hunter with factory ammo. Anyone have any favorites for this set up.

A .243 would work great on a muley.... like SS said, you'll want to make sure that you have a good bullet. It sounds like you have a great set up (I'd love to get that caliber someday). What factory ammo have you shot through it? My advice would be to grab a few different boxes (if funds allow) and go to the range and see what type your rifle likes. As far as a premium factory ammunition, I'd maybe look at the Federal Premium ammunition line- they load Nosler Partition, Sierra Game King and Barnes TSX. All of those bullets have a great reputation for performance. Basically, just some good practice and placing a good bullet in the right spot will do the job.

The gun shoots well. Off the shelf with federal power shock 100 gr ammo I shot 1 inch groups at 100 yds. Ordered the Federal Vital Schock 100 gr Sierra Game King. Maybe a little better I will Let you know.

I think those bullets would be a great combo. It sounds like you've got yourself a shooter. I'm looking forward to hearing the results.

I use the .243 for mule deer and hit hasn't let me down yet. It really comes down to shot placement. 100grn work very well on muleys. Sierra recommended their 85grn game king bullet for mule deer. I was suprised to hear that but i thought i would give them a try. Thats what i have been using for the past 5 or 6 seasons. Taken a few with those bullets one of them being dang near 300yds and he dropped in his tracks.

Every thing is good leaving Saturday to head to Montana with my son. We will let you know how it pans out for us. Thanks for the info.

Good luck out there!

I look forward to hearing how things go. I hunted with a .243 until I was 21 years old and it always performed well for me.

Nosler Accubonds would be my choice

Ive killed dozens of deer with my .243
Your effective shooting range (I refuse to use "ethics" in this type of conversation as it is overused by those that dont practice, mostly archers) is the range that you can confidently hit the kill zone under HUNTING CONDITIONS! It is very important to define hunting conditions. they are not on a concrete shooting bench with 20 sand bags! they are using a bipod, back pack, rock, tree limb, sitting, kneeling, prone or other position (I hesitate to say standing as it is the least stable of all shooting positions).

I would rather move back 50 yards to a big rock or tree than take a shaky off hand shot. Back to your question.

The .243 with a good quality bullet (I shoot Barnes 80 & 85 gr) will kill any deer in North America. sight it in about 2.5-3" high at 100 and you are good to go out to 300 yds. But you have to practice at 300 yds. you will learn what your effective range is. maybe only 100 or 150 yds, but with practice under hunting conditions this will lengthen. Practice in real hunting situations. getting your bipod out and set up. how long does it take? shooting from sitting, kneeling, etc. alot of this can be practiced while plinking during the summer or varmint hunting.

Remember, shot placement is way more important than bullet size; and practice builds confidence in shot placement. the guy who buys a box of shells the week before season opens, goes to the range and shoots 3 rounds from a bench and declares himself ready is a fool.

I'll get off my soapbox now

Cool little cartridge. Every time I part with one,I end up replaceing it. Mine has been tied up between my 2 girls,and i want it back! Just kidding,their welcome to it as long as they need it. The deer here in PA don't put up much fuss after a 95gr Nosler passes through. I load the 95gr Nosler,100gr Hornady and 100gr Speer boat tail in ours. I want to try the 85gr barnes. I her it brings the 243 into it's own. One of the best things about the round in my older eyes, is it's handiness. It can be chambered in a rifle weighing next to nothing,and still be pleasant to opperate. My Mountain Guide is 7 1/2# field ready,and could be a pound lighter without being fly weight. Talk about an all day carry rig. I love it. None of the 4 243s I've owned was fussy about it's diet. Heck I'm using 7828 in this one with great results. There are lots of good propellants for it. Any of the medium burn rate powders will work fine.

the most important thing is that you are able to shoot the weapon. spend some (LOTS LOTS) of time shooting, site in at the range then learn how to shoot in different positions, shoot off your back pack while laying down, and lots of times.

I keep looking but i don't see that site in bench where i hunt.

Practice and more practice.

Get within 200yrds and that 243 will kill any deer

I have a .243 Remington model 700 and it likes the Barnes 80 grain bullets just fine very accurate. have not been able to shoot a deer with it yet but its plenty for mulies.

my dad and i have killed lots of muleys with a .243. a well placed shot is the key to any big game hunting