what ammo to use?

 I'd shoot 270 WSM loads in your rifle and 243 loads in your GF's rifle.......

Jiffy Said:
 I'd shoot 270 WSM loads in your rifle and 243 loads in your GF's rifle.......

thanks jiffy. i was thinking the other way around. but the 270's don't fit in the 243. and the 243's roll out the end of the 270 barrel.

heh heh! 

Any of the ammo out there will kill a deer.  Main thing is to buy a few boxes and try them.  Find out which load shoots better and roll with it.  When buying factory ammo it's pretty much a crap shoot....at least that is what I've found.

I'd probably shy away from Ballistic Tips out of the 243 for deer.  They'd work but not the best choice IMO.

thats kind of what i thought. i guess with the 243, i would like to give the GF as much of a "handicap" as i can. do you think 90 grains is enough? also, i am looking at availability. i don't want to get the gun dialed in with a load that is hard to find.

Yep, 90 grains is enough to kill a deer.  If she's a beginner keep her within her limits.  I'd say 200 and in would be good, depending on her ability of course. 

Although some would argue a 243 tends to bounce off.... 

If you have somebody that reloads I'd go with a 85 TSX but I'm guessing you knew that already. 

nope, had no clue. thats why i made this post. im not big into different kinds of ammo. i couldn't tell you which does what. i know that a heavier grain will give you deeper penny. but thats about it. i have a buddy that started reloading recently, but im not sure if i trust him to reload for me. want to see how many barrels he blows first.

Federal offersTSX bullets in their premium loads.  Expensive but they'd be worth a try. 

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=517884

Heavier bullets don't automatically mean deeper penetration, there is a lot more to it than that.

Just a regular old soft point will do the job out of the 243.  Just a matter of finding the one that shoots the best in your rifle.  Heck even if she can hold 2 MOA at 200 yards....4" group.....that's good enough to kill a deer at that distance. 

To be extremely honest the kill zone on a deer is even bigger than that.