6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

[BLJ]

Tikka .243 1:8 twist, shooting 108 eldm’s from Unknown Munitions. Barrel chopped to 16.5 inches with a suppressor. Shot this buck at 125 yards just in front of the shoulder and had an exit wound out the offside neck. Massive internal damage. Buck dropped instantly.

View attachment 961851

Any idea on muzzle velocity with that bullet from the short barrel?

 

[Blueman75]

Any idea on muzzle velocity with that bullet from the short barrel?

My chrono showed 2870 fps, but I’ve only shot out to 300 and haven’t verified beyond that.

 

[Taudisio]

So a 6GT is preferred over a 6 creedmoor ? With factory ammo?

Not for me. You need a gunsmith rifle to have a 6gt. I suppose it depends what your goals and funds are.

 

[sierracharlie338]

So a 6GT is preferred over a 6 creedmoor ? With factory ammo?

Depends on what you want performance wise out of the gun. I like the GT and for my needs it works great.

Not for me. You need a gunsmith rifle to have a 6gt. I suppose it depends what your goals and funds are.

Not sure what you mean by needing a gunsmith rifle. My GT barrel was a prefit from PVA and I spun it on to my tikka action in the garage. Shoots dam good groups if I do say so myself

 

[Car Ramrod]

Of course the hunting funds are unlimited but I think I’ll stick with my original want of a ph3 Seekins 6mm

 

[Taudisio]

Depends on what you want performance wise out of the gun. I like the GT and for my needs it works great.



Not sure what you mean by needing a gunsmith rifle. My GT barrel was a prefit from PVA and I spun it on to my tikka action in the garage. Shoots dam good groups if I do say so myself

Haha I was referring to a “custom” rifle, aka a non-factory offering but couldn’t think of the proper way to say it otherwise. I would say if you replaced your own bolt action rifle barrel, that is a gunsmith’s job for 99.99%+ of people, you’re a special breed.

 

[CJ_BG]

Whitetail doe
Approx 2630fps at impact
90gr ELDX

Entry
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Exit
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Exit side
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Exit hole
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Effective is an understatement. Will give a bit more safety margin behind the shoulder in the future.

Tikka T3X 243 with SWFA 3-9 & DA Nomad TIXC. Liking this combo so far.

Glad to see more on this bullet. Got them loaded for my brother's 243 at a bit over 3100 and while I have no doubts about it's performance it's good to see more data.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Haha I was referring to a “custom” rifle, aka a non-factory offering but couldn’t think of the proper way to say it otherwise. I would say if you replaced your own bolt action rifle barrel, that is a gunsmith’s job for 99.99%+ of people, you’re a special breed.

Ahh got ya that makes sense. Yeah not many factory guns out there in 6gt.

 

[Eiden]

Decided to give the 110Atip a try this year for hunting. I have been pleased with the results so far.

Gun specs
6-284 w/18” Bartlein
110 Amax
2900fps at the muzzle. (Slow I know, but I decided the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze for my style of hunting)

To date I have taken 1 Mule deer and 4 elk with this specific combo.

Son’s Mule Deer was at 475yds. Bullet impact velocity was 2334fps. Deer dropped at the shot then regained footing. Stumbled 20 yards and tipped over. Shot was further back due to bad wind call on my part. Bullet hit in the front portion of the gut bag/liver area. Bullet penetrated all the way through and the jacket was caught on the hide on the opposite side.



Entrance

Hole under hide on opposite side



The both of us shot two elk out of a herd within seconds of each other. No photos unfortunately. 1 spike and one mature cow. Both at 150yds. Bullet impact velocity was 2715fps. 1 shot each and both down within 15-20 seconds of initial shot. Both shots were typical behind the shoulder placement. Both bullets were found under the hide on the opposite side.

Son’s bull elk shot at 405yds. Impact velocity was 2413fps. Bull dropped at the shot. Then regained footing but was dragging both rear legs. He stumbled for 30 yards and tipped over. Bullet jacket was found under the hide on the opposite side. Almost identical to his mule deer photos above.



I shot one of the largest cows I have ever ran across. Her quarters were way bigger than my son’s lil bull. Shot was 506yds. Impact velocity was 2300fps. Cow ran 20 yards, stopped, then started to wobble and tipped over. She was down within 15 seconds roughly. Bullet exited with a 3/4” exit hole.



Exit


Lung chunks and exit hole with shoulder removed


Entrance side with shoulder removed



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RobertLosekamp]

I'm new to the 6mm/.243, having a little mental struggle over which bullet to use. I purchased the 100gr corelokt and 95 SST for this season (starting a week from tomorrow). Both factory loads group roughly the same with my 1-8 Tikka at about 1MOA~ and a cheaper 3x9 Vortex.

I do not have a chrono, so I don't know what my MV is exactly but I know the .243 is a fast one. My dilemma stems from the proximity I will have to the deer and my inexperience in hunting with center-fire rifles. It's very likely that my maximum distance will be 50 yards (probably much closer) on the property I have access to this year (SE Indiana woods, thick with brush/honeysuckle) and could use some reassurance that the SST or Corelokt won't just evaporate on impact at such close range. I'm sure either choice will perform well but I'm nervous about shooting larger deer on somebody else's property (my coworker's, no less) and losing it for want of a more effective projectile. Especially since the animals are, to me, mature trophy quality bucks that will provide plenty of food for my family over the winter.

I'm very fortunate to have access here as you'll see below, and the property hasn't been hunted for close to a decade. The deer don't seem to react to the property owners walking down the trails at all. Very little pressure nearby as well.

In payment for your knowledge and experience, please accept these cam photos of what I'm hoping to encounter.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

In payment for your knowledge and experience, please accept these cam photos of what I'm hoping to encounter.

I like your style!

I think at super close range I'd choose the core-lokt out of those two options. I also think you'd be fine with either of them.

 

[Thegman]

I like your style!

I think at super close range I'd choose the core-lokt out of those two options. I also think you'd be fine with either of them.

I'd agree, but if you're worried about your bullet holding up well enough, maybe give a box of 95 grain Federal Fusion a try in your rifle (?). At those ranges, and with thick cover you might have to track in, I'd think that bullet would be about ideal.

 

[CJ_BG]

could use some reassurance that the SST or Corelokt won't just evaporate on impact at such close range.

We're at 4 deer with 110 vmax in a 270, impact velocity as high as 3320fps. The only bullet that didn't exit was found in the offside hide after going through the humerus quartered to at 30yds. The only thing evaporated was the lungs and heart, which was in 3 soupy pieces, recovered bullet was something like 35gr with jacket and core still together and clear signs of expansion and fragmentation rather than "explosion" or "evaporation".

Point being if a light for caliber varmint bullet at over 3300fps impact velocity can do all that you won't have any issues with a 95 sst in a 243. A huge buck is 12 inches wide at the back of the ribs, and closer to 7-9 inches behind the shoulder. Scapulas are so thin you can see light through them, and if you're really worried about penetration, it sounds like they're close enough you could just go for the base of the neck.

 

[Ajsomp]

I'm new to the 6mm/.243, having a little mental struggle over which bullet to use. I purchased the 100gr corelokt and 95 SST for this season (starting a week from tomorrow). Both factory loads group roughly the same with my 1-8 Tikka at about 1MOA~ and a cheaper 3x9 Vortex.

I do not have a chrono, so I don't know what my MV is exactly but I know the .243 is a fast one. My dilemma stems from the proximity I will have to the deer and my inexperience in hunting with center-fire rifles. It's very likely that my maximum distance will be 50 yards (probably much closer) on the property I have access to this year (SE Indiana woods, thick with brush/honeysuckle) and could use some reassurance that the SST or Corelokt won't just evaporate on impact at such close range. I'm sure either choice will perform well but I'm nervous about shooting larger deer on somebody else's property (my coworker's, no less) and losing it for want of a more effective projectile. Especially since the animals are, to me, mature trophy quality bucks that will provide plenty of food for my family over the winter.

I'm very fortunate to have access here as you can see, and the property hasn't been hunted for close to a decade. The deer don't seem to react to the property owners walking down the trails at all. Very little pressure nearby as well.

In payment for your knowledge and experience, please accept these cam photos of what I'm hoping to encounter.

View attachment 962533View attachment 962534View attachment 962535View attachment 962536

As always - where you shoot the deer will matter. But I don’t think I’ve felt under gunned with 243 on white tail. You’ve already purchased the ammo - both will kill deer at those ranges. You will get all the penetration you need out of them as well. You will get more fragmentation from the sst assuming you hit bone on entry.

If you have the opportunity for neck shots, those deer will sit down no issue regardless.

 

[RobertLosekamp]

I appreciate the input and reassurance guys, as usual I'm overthinking "just a little" My only kills with a firearm came from my $100 CVA "Hawken" .54 with roundball last year. No such concerns about velocity with that thing . I'll have better data for next season but I'm cutting it close to go changing things at this point. The bullets go where I aim, will do the job they need to, and all will be well.

Loving this thread and community. Thank you so much.

 

[deerbo]

Didnt get photos but harvested a yearling cow elk with a neck shot 420yd 6cm 2850MV 108gr ELDM. DRT in her bed, no fuss.

 

[ztc92]

95gr TMK’s.

@ztc92 Bull elk. Entrance scapula, 2,800fps impact. Absolutely destroyed the “shoulder”- the scapula was completely broken into 4-5 pieces; and it exited.

View attachment 957369


Directly to the right of the green handle is a 6+ inch diameter wound of shredded muscle and bone-
View attachment 957370

Wanted to share some updates after breaking down the first elk in this post. He tried to run down a steep drainage so he got a round in the rear quarter as he turned away, which anchored him. He got another round intended for the neck that hit a bit low and destroyed the shoulder and vitals, then it was over.

These first few photos are the rear quarter. It went through the sirloin completely and exited the quarter. Wound was about 3” inches in diameter through the rear quarter.






These photos show the damage to the front shoulder that is shown in the initial photos posted by @Formidilosus

 

[mtnbound]

I'm new to the 6mm/.243, having a little mental struggle over which bullet to use. I purchased the 100gr corelokt and 95 SST for this season (starting a week from tomorrow). Both factory loads group roughly the same with my 1-8 Tikka at about 1MOA~ and a cheaper 3x9 Vortex.

I do not have a chrono, so I don't know what my MV is exactly but I know the .243 is a fast one. My dilemma stems from the proximity I will have to the deer and my inexperience in hunting with center-fire rifles. It's very likely that my maximum distance will be 50 yards (probably much closer) on the property I have access to this year (SE Indiana woods, thick with brush/honeysuckle) and could use some reassurance that the SST or Corelokt won't just evaporate on impact at such close range. I'm sure either choice will perform well but I'm nervous about shooting larger deer on somebody else's property (my coworker's, no less) and losing it for want of a more effective projectile. Especially since the animals are, to me, mature trophy quality bucks that will provide plenty of food for my family over the winter.

I'm very fortunate to have access here as you'll see below, and the property hasn't been hunted for close to a decade. The deer don't seem to react to the property owners walking down the trails at all. Very little pressure nearby as well.

In payment for your knowledge and experience, please accept these cam photos of what I'm hoping to encounter.

View attachment 962533View attachment 962534View attachment 962535View attachment 962536

Neither one will evaporate; both will kill. Have fun and punch that tag.

 

[JBradley500]

Anyone using 95 grain TMKs in a 1:10 twist 243? Not sure if they always stabilize or not and was wondering before I try load developing with that rifle.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Two 115 Berger VLD Hunting kills from today from my Tikka 6 creed.

Both were large whitetail does from the far north of Minnesota where they get very large.

Kill 1:

Yardage: 497.
Impact Velocity: Roughly 1,880 (16” barrel and COLD dense air).
Shot Position: Seated Supported.
Distance Travelled After Hit: 40 yards.
Impact Location: Hit 2nd rib. Exited 3rd rib. Bullet recovered in off side hide.

Kill 2:

Yardage: 210.
Impact Velocity: Roughly 2,270.
Shot Position: Standing supported.
Distance Travelled After Hit: 0 yards.
Impact Location: Left Scapula. Exited between 4th and 5th ribs. Bullet recovered in off side hide.

Couple other notes…

Nasty shooting conditions with intermittent blowing snow all day and 7-27 MPH northern winds. High temp was 21F with lows of 16F. Wind chill feels like temps of below 0 F.

Food for thought… The gun was zeroed in 85 degree weather at 3,000 feet and zero checked at 1,200 feet and 20 degrees F. There was no discrepancy in the guns zero. Zero maintained during a 2,800 mile drive with gun laying loose on backseat of truck.

Snow and ice built up on the Tikka and Maven RS1.2, no hiccups during go time other than brushing snow off of scope.

Revic BLR10B Gen 1s ran all day completely cold soaked. No issues.