I dropped a 7 pt buck with my 243 Encore. The buck was less than 20 ft from me when I dropped the hammer. My issue is after he was hit he dropped in his tracks and with a back up shot he was done but there was not a drop of blood from either shot. The only blood was the blood coming from his noes. Looking at him there wasnt a entrance or exit wound . My question is, is the 85 gr Nosler partition the correct round for hunting deer ? I also shot a nice 8 pt last yr but never found him or a blood trail.

After all thats been said Im seriously thinking about another caliber for deer hunting. Im looking at either the 7.08 or the 30.06.

Shot placement can be an issue with a .243 Sounds like one worked great and the other did not.

You could go to the 95 gr. NPB-- But I think the 85 will work

I use the 85 Gr Sierra BTHP- in my .243 for deer (this was load for my son--light recoil)

One has now moved up to the 7-08 and the other to a 270 Win.

I've killed quite a few deer with a .243 and I don't think shot placement is any different for that gun than any other. I always used the 100 gr Sierra SP.

Guess my point was an 85 gr bullet at 2700 fps is not going to make near the hole-- or the impact-- a 180gr .35cal @ 2600 bullet will. I think the bigger bullet may buy you a bit if you are a liitle forward or back.. Point being with the .243 you have to be spot on.

there is nothing wrong with the .243. use tracking skills and common sense to find deer. don't rely on blood trails with anything. they can get away ocassionally with anything, big holes or small.

never used a partition. a standard bullet 80-100gr should be fine.

Gotcha!

The Partition is an excellent bullet and I have loaded it for quite a few rifles but since the Accubond came out I use it for my rifles and handguns. I was loading it in my sons 243 rifles but it was for the chance at awkward angles or in case a black bear was encountered. My wifes rifle in 270 and my daughters 7x57 are loaded with partitions but they are both dual purpose guns for deer and elk and rather than change loads for deer and elk I just keep the partitions in. Although I've found blood trails from my wifes 270 that's a much more powerfull cartridge and I'm sure I'm getting better expansion but the partition is built for penetration and you'd have to check your muzzle velocity and run it through a ballistics program but I'd guess your impact velocity might be getting toward the bottom end of what recommended so it's still penetrating but not expanding fully but that is just a guess. If they made an Accubond in that caliber I'd suggest that but I've heard they increased the jacket thickness on the ballistic tips so impact velocities are similiar to the Accubond just minus the bonded core. I'd suggest using the BT's, they have been the most accurate bullet I've used in everything from 22 centerfires to 338's and for me it's even nicer because their flight characteristics are identical to the Accubond so I shoot deer with BT's and then switch to the Accubonds for elk. With the cost of partitions you would be further ahead to save the ones you have just in case you want to use it for something tougher like hogs or avg size black bears and switch to the BT's which are much more affordable.

I think Rod is spot on the Accubonds! You have to take handgun vel into consideration. You cant load the standard sp handgun like you would a rifle. You HAVE to do you homework on bullet section. If in doubt, call the bullet manufactures, they have altered my bullet selection more than once!!!!

Two bad situ's, that might be a trend. My first thought was that perhaps your pistol barrel wasn't getting enough F's, but at 20 FEET? It is surely enough evidence to reconsider what you are doing. Partitions are relatively tough bullets, perhaps a BT or plain ol' soft point would fare better.

Asquires,

Did you dress the deer yourself, or watch it get cleaned? if so, what was your impression on "internal" performance?

Where did your first shot impact? That may have a lot to do with blood on the ground, and exit.

I shot a rifle in 6MM Rem for many years (still have it), shooting the 100gr Rem Core-Lokts and then reloading 100 gr Speer SPBT's. Although not spectacular
in terms of entrance/exit wounds, it did/does one thing really well - kill deer!

Out of a 15" Encore, the 85 gr Partition "should" be a good blend of speed and
bullet construction. But if you've soured on the load and don't have the confidence in it, try the 95 gr BT's or the Hornady 85 gr HPBT's. They may have a more noticeable upset.

Actually the owner of the property took care of the deer, he doesnt hunt but he eats it . He did say that the deer was a mess on the inside. As for trying a different round , thats the game plan.