First fallow hunt and using a .243?

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First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by flack » 20 Mar 2019, 8:08 pm

Hi all, my first post here! Looking for some advice.

I have grown up around firearms but never really hunted other than bunnies. I recently inherited a 243 that shoots really well. Couldn't be happier. It's the only centrefire I have.

Question is this. I have been invited to hunt fallow deer in the rut in private property but all I have is my 243. From my readings, I understand this is a safe caliber to use? I'm by no means an amazing shot but I'm not bad. I do not want to try head shot animals until in feel more confident. In saying this, what would be safe shot placement on such an animal? It seems behind the shoulder or through the shoulder?

Does anyone have a diagram? I know this is a lot of questioning for my first post, so sorry. Deer hunting is also a big step up from bunnies but I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks in advance.
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by solarpak » 20 Mar 2019, 9:10 pm

- 243 is plemty enough for fallow - use 100 grain soft points - insert bullet behind the shoulder halfway between the spine and front leg - and its goodnight dick!

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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by AusC » 20 Mar 2019, 9:17 pm

.243 is a fine choice for Fallow, effective and humane without being over kill.

Just use appropriate bullets. Stay away from 55gr stuff, varmint rounds etc.

Load some 85gr-100gr hunting rounds, Nosler Ballistic tips or something along those lines, and you're in business.
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by deye243 » 20 Mar 2019, 9:24 pm

Put a 90odd g pill in the pink and happy days
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Hit in the heart and I have seen them run for 100+ yards like a sambar

if you are in the position of the deer facing you with head down belt it half way up the neck looking to hit the spine that will be a DRT ....
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by deye243 » 20 Mar 2019, 9:26 pm

Oops that is a US white deer but they are about the same size so all good .
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by Blr243 » 20 Mar 2019, 10:05 pm

Shot my first fallow buck with a 243 ( probably a v max). Never mind the caliber Start research and learning as much as you can. Fallow have super sharp senses. They are always alert and so very switched on ... they won’t tolerate even the smallest of a hunters errors or sloppiness ..... u have to be the best u can possibly be for every step you take while entering their world
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by deye243 » 20 Mar 2019, 10:11 pm

Blr243 is correct I have the luxury of doing this at medium and long range so all the above is one thing you need to pay a lot of attention to .......
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by flack » 21 Mar 2019, 7:59 am

I will be going with some people who know their stuff but pretty sure they are all using 270/308 etc thus the reason for my question.

What sort of distance is a safe maximum for hunting these guys with 243? Is the 243 adequate if it hits bone?
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by Oldbloke » 21 Mar 2019, 11:53 am

Use this as a guide. Its the current Victorian requirement.

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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by flack » 21 Mar 2019, 12:00 pm

Wow, 80grains. I thought that would be on the light side. Are they suggesting head shotting with this or heart/lung type shots?
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by Oldbloke » 21 Mar 2019, 5:22 pm

flack wrote:Wow, 80grains. I thought that would be on the light side. Are they suggesting head shotting with this or heart/lung type shots?


I would think chest. Haven't shot one yet but the ones ive seen no bigger than a very big goat.
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by flack » 21 Mar 2019, 7:58 pm

Thanks oldbloke. Will try stick with heavier but good to know I can get away with the 80s. They shoot well in my rig.
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by Blr243 » 21 Mar 2019, 8:00 pm

Once I took my 243 hunting Himalayan thar in nz. So I just loaded some 105 grain speers. Back then they had a reputation for being a pretty tough pill. So there is always speers or Barnes if for any reason someone is nervous about a conventional proj not cutting it in the 243
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by allthegearandnoidea » 21 Mar 2019, 8:39 pm

Last one I shot was headshot 22.250 @ 65m. Im not confident over 100m - heads move all the time! Dont recommend headshots but I have a 243 and would be comfortable up to 200m personally with a heart/lung or spine shot. Better shots than me might take at over 300 400m? Fallow are small thin skinned beasties and 90-100gn soft points should be sufficient - Americans whitetail rule of thumb is 1000ft lbs to safely kill one - 100 grain 243 can pack that at 400m so if you put the pill in the right place, 243 is perfect
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by bigpete » 22 Mar 2019, 4:02 am

A big buck is far larger than just a big goat. I'm loading 90gn speer hot cors in my 243 for fallow this year.
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by flack » 22 Mar 2019, 9:22 am

200m would be around my max shot. I would rather be humane and stick to my limits. I have access to a fair few bullets, 85gr gameking and 95gr nosler Ballistic tips. I also get about 0.5 moa from the 100gr federal blue box stuff but I don't know how good that stuff is for hunting. It is fairly cheap. Any of you guys used it with success?
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by Bent Arrow » 22 Mar 2019, 3:27 pm

flack wrote:. I also get about 0.5 moa from the 100gr federal blue box stuff but I don't know how good that stuff is for hunting. It is fairly cheap. Any of you guys used it with success?


You mean this stuff? Yeah, I use the 117 gn loads in my 25-06. Gives emphatic kills on goats and fallow. They very conveniently tell you what the round is intended for on the back of the box........

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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by flack » 22 Mar 2019, 5:58 pm

Yes I see that on the box but being so cheap I wonder how good it actually is.....
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by allthegearandnoidea » 22 Mar 2019, 7:45 pm

It's very accurate in my Tikka CTR. 100 gn pills got nearly 1/4 moa - the big gun shop in Brissie sells a box for $23
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by Gamerancher » 23 Mar 2019, 8:06 am

If you aren't reloading for it yet, grab some of the Federal with the 100gr pill. It will be more than adequate and it's pretty good brass for reloading later on. 0.5 MOA is more than accurate enough for hunting, you 'aint shooting benchrest groups in the bush mate.
I've got 200 Federal cases for .30-30 that I bought as factory ammo, ( at $15/box why wouldn't you ), and they have now been reloaded over a dozen times with no losses.
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by bigpete » 23 Mar 2019, 12:03 pm

Geez,1.5 moa is more than enough for actual hunting...
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by Gamerancher » 23 Mar 2019, 1:38 pm

O.P was the one claiming it shot 0.5MOA, that's why I said have at it.
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by flack » 23 Mar 2019, 5:49 pm

I think I'm over thinking things. I knew the blue box federal is accurate enough, it was more how it expands etc. I suppose being a light skinned animal it should work well enough.
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by Gamerancher » 24 Mar 2019, 8:08 am

The soft nose spitzer bullet they have will do the job mate.
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by bah! » 16 Sep 2021, 9:36 pm

We don't have the legal calibre requirement in WA. I had a fallow in my sights at just 50m, using a 68g pill in a 223REM but sadly it was just the arse and I had to pass up finding out.
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by Oldbloke » 17 Sep 2021, 9:46 am

bah! wrote:We don't have the legal calibre requirement in WA. I had a fallow in my sights at just 50m, using a 68g pill in a 223REM but sadly it was just the arse and I had to pass up finding out.


Bah, lol. Just a heads up. Flack is in NSW and the thread is 2 1/2 years old. I think the trip is done, but he never returned to let us know if he got one.
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by Peter988 » 17 Sep 2021, 11:01 am

Don’t over think it. Couple mates regularly chest shoot them with 55gr out of a .223. Stops them on the spot. Another mate with a .243 shoots them with 75 grain pills. All chest shots. Just don’t try running shots or shooting them in the arse as they go away from you.
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by Blr243 » 17 Sep 2021, 1:38 pm

Shot my first fallow buck on my first fallow hunt with a 243 ...nearly killed myself carrying the heavy thing up hill taking it back to camp
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by Peter988 » 18 Sep 2021, 8:48 am

Oldbloke wrote:
bah! wrote:We don't have the legal calibre requirement in WA. I had a fallow in my sights at just 50m, using a 68g pill in a 223REM but sadly it was just the arse and I had to pass up finding out.


Bah, lol. Just a heads up. Flack is in NSW and the thread is 2 1/2 years old. I think the trip is done, but he never returned to let us know if he got one.


Oops. Missed that. Why would someone bother to resurrect such an old thread.
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Re: First fallow hunt and using a .243?

Post by bah! » 18 Sep 2021, 9:56 am

Peter988 wrote:Oops. Missed that. Why would someone bother to resurrect such an old thread.


For some new news on the same issue;

Peter988 wrote:Don’t over think it. Couple mates regularly chest shoot them with 55gr out of a .223. Stops them on the spot. Another mate with a .243 shoots them with 75 grain pills. All chest shots. Just don’t try running shots or shooting them in the arse as they go away from you.


Yes, I think I'll wait for something better than the ass shot!
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