First time deer hunt ammunition advice PLEASE?

**toddclites** · December 23rd, 2010, 02:19 AM

I am using a Howa 1500 bull barrel 1:12 twist in .243 for a doe hunt.I have two types of ammunition to choose from at this moment. Both are Federal one is the 80 grain Power Shok soft point and the second is the Vital Shok 85 grain Sierra gameking BTHP FMJ. My finances are very limited so I am using what I have. I have plans to purchase a Remmington 700 in .308 with a 22" heavy barrel 1:9 from a close friend but I have what I have so any advice on which ammunition would be best will be greatly appreciated.Thank you everyone!!

**Arch007er** · December 23rd, 2010, 05:24 AM

With that twist I'd go with the 80 grain first. You can never really tell what a gun is going to like till you shoot them, I have a factory 1:9 that loves 65-70 grain bullets, so you can only go with what the gun should like first and play around from there, but my first choice would be the 80 grain.

**knight0334** · December 23rd, 2010, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by toddclites

I am using a Howa 1500 bull barrel 1:12 twist in .243 for a doe hunt.I have two types of ammunition to choose from at this moment. Both are Federal one is the 80 grain Power Shok soft point and the second is the Vital Shok 85 grain Sierra gameking BTHP FMJ. My finances are very limited so I am using what I have. I have plans to purchase a Remmington 700 in .308 with a 22" heavy barrel 1:9 from a close friend but I have what I have so any advice on which ammunition would be best will be greatly appreciated.Thank you everyone!!

The Sierra Gameking isn't a FMJ. Real FMJ's are illegal to hunt with in PA.

**dk99358** · December 23rd, 2010, 10:14 PM

Federal rates both rounds for 'medium' game. I would use the 80 grainers simply because I had problems with core/jacket seperations using Sierra boattails in my 270. Maybe not much of a reason but I prefer flat base bullets.

Dale

**814RuttinBuck** · January 18th, 2011, 02:11 AM

I don't know much about rate of twist but I have a Remington Model 700 and use 100 Grain Game Kings BTSP, work great!

**victory** · January 21st, 2011, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by toddclites

one is the 80 grain Power Shok soft point and the second is the Vital Shok 85 grain Sierra gameking BTHP FMJ

Yes, those will kill a deer.

**Jrkotz** · January 21st, 2011, 10:57 AM

Either bullet will be sufficient for a clean kill. PRACTICE as much as you can before going. Confidence is key.

Also, when looking to purchase a new rife, unless you stand still 100% of the time, I'd recommend against a heavy barrel contour. It's just unnecessary weight for a pa deer rifle.

-J