They shot 18 rounds at six targets at 300 yards all within 2.5 inches. However I am wondering what is some of the best factory loaded a cartridge choices for the .243 Winchester want bullet options (ONLY) in the 95 gr. and not less than 87 gr. Big-game hunters in the western states use this rifle round on mule deer and even bear. I don't see anything on the barrel to indicate model, age or twist. I haven't tried any of the extreme powders form Hodgdon, being satisfied with the SR3031. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. They worked well for me and never missed the deer so don't worry about getting a super accurate load for hunting. The 58 gr Hornady bullets were the most accurate and most fun to shoot at the range. Come join the discussion about hunting, fishing, survival, archery gunsmithing, optics, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! necked down, can be handloaded with a variety of bullets and propellants that allow practice on targets an… Reducing or increasing the powder charge and bullet weight allows you to meet your hunting and shooting needs with minimal recoil as the result. With available bullet weights from 55-grain “varminters,” to 100-grain medium game killers, plus ultra-long (heavy for the caliber) target bullets in … Perhaps if one was only shooting small game at short ranges, such as less than 250 yards, there might be a case for light bullets. I remember discussions about bullet weights an accuracy with these barrels .Factory and hand load data will be appreciated. I have got a friend that just bought a Savage Model 200 and he is curious about the most accurate load. I would like to see some of the pat posts. I tried the lighter weight VMax bullets in my Savage .243, but could not get decent accuracy out of them until I got up the the 87" grain bullet. Once you pass the 500 yard mark...that's what seperates the excellent bullets from the standard ones. He finally lost one and stepped up to 270. Therefore, the bullet weight matters a great deal. This has a standard barrel, any thoughts bout the twist rate? are you looking for accuracy to shoot targets or accuracy for hunting ? I load the same round for my 270. I never fired a 243 before sticking larger calibers or .223. I know others who have had good luck with the lighter weight bullets, but that's not been my fortune. Sierras are usually accurate in about anything you stuff them in, provided the twist is right for the length bullet you are trying. I just bought a H&R Handi-Rifle in 243. Good luck. My last set of handloads with that bullet netted me 2 sub 1/2" MOA 5 shot groups. My old Ruger No. I took it out today and oh my gosh is it nice. For the .243, that means somewhere around 80 to 95 grains. Of course, you have to define “versatile” to some degree – but if that definition is something like “the ability to take care of shooting chores all the way from varmints to medium-size game” – the .243 Winchester would be a frequently chosen candidate. I was wondering if I could get some input on different bullets for a 243. I know, mine is with me often, in fact she'll be riding with me on my ATV tomorrow to check out the deer stands. The potential problem with 243 barrels is some were confirmed to have 1:11" twist which would be marginal on longer 95-100gr bullets, IE boattail, flat base would be the better choice if you have one of these suspect barrels and choose 100gr bullets. I bought this rifle about 20 years ago and at one time had 13 barrels. John selected the .243 Win because it offers excellent ballistics with manageable recoil. Its a very humane round, mostly drop right their in most cases 100 yards and farther. As a side bebefit, there's never a need to explain why the deer tracking took longer than expected, and that's why you're getting home so late when she's been with you the whole way thru! and 5/8" 3 shot groups at 100 yards. I found I could go faster than 3425 fps., but the accuracy started to fall off at 3450 fps.. Works well for both varmits and deer. Sierra Gameking, 41.0 gr RL15 Chronied at 3158 fps. Sierra 85-grain HPBT GameKing. "Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" - Mark Twain. I'll be working on load work up next week. As a “do-it-all” bullet, Sierra’s85-grain HPBT GameKing is tough … I have a Savage 110 in 243 and have had good luck with the 100 grain Hornady SST's. This bullet is best suited to game weighing between 90lb (40kg) and 130lb (60kg) up to a maximum of around 180lb (80kg) and is perhaps the fastest killing and most consistent performer of all low priced conventional bullets available to .243 users. It's a true blessing to have your life partner in the field with you. Good luck & please post your data & results. Guy I used to hunt with about 20 yrs ago used a 243 BLR and shot multiple bucks over 200# dressed with it. Hornady technicians developed this load in Hornady cases using Federal 210 primers. Keep both eyes open and make the first shot good. This has been true with the other 6mm rifles I have had. area, not over 100 gr. I have had best luck out of Sierra 85 gr HPBTs. To be honest, any size bullet in .243 is going to kill charlie cleanly. Your W760 will work under about any bullet & IMR4320 is rated for bullets from 55-85 grains. Most any bullet is accurate enough at 1-200 yards. It's strange, but I happen to be working on a load for my .243 for deer hunting right now. However, most calibres work very well with bullet weights that are in the top third of the available weight range. I started with 105 gr bullets when I bought my first .243 about 25 years ago. Let me know how you do with it. Countless young hunters shoot rifles chambered in .243 Win. Sometimes looked at as merely an “entry” level rifle for deer hunters, the Savage Axis … It was a … I got great accuracy with the 70 Nosler BT, getting 3425 fps. FAQs say 1 in 10. 1 243 likes 100 gr. Get it red hot a few times. For example, a 45 (.457) caliber rifle with a twist rate of 1 in 18″, should be able to stabilize a bullet up to 672 grains or 1.74″ in length. As far as deer hunting calibers go, the .243 is light, small and perfect for beginning deer hunters. With 115gr DTAC bullets, a.243 rivals a 6.5-284 ballistically out to 1000 yards. Basicly this is done by reloading the components you wish to use with changing the powder weight by 3 tenths grain from minimum to maximum charge taken from a reloading guide for the .243. Using them will allow you to estimate the heaviest/longest bullet a gun will stabilize based on the caliber (left-most column) and twist rate in inches (top-most row). It also shoots 100 grain Rem Cor-Lokt's good, but the Hornady's are more accurate in my rifle. I'll pick up some 85 gr SGKs. Savage Axis. I have reloaded for 25+years, never did for the NEF. That can vary widely from rifle to rifle. This powder and bullet weight range also worked just as good in another .243 Win that I used to have. There is also a significant difference in the most common bullet weights for each cartridge. Top #665561 - 03/20/07 01:19 PM Re: What is the most accurate bullet for 243. A friend uses it in the 270 for deer and swears by it. I'm adapting a Handi with a youth stock, Redfield scope and standard 243 Barrel for my wife. The NEF was a dream gun as a child so later in life I bought it. I worked up a load with the 90gn Ballistic Tip and they're hovering around .2-.3". It provides very good accuracy in … One of the many tricks to get your rifle barrel broken in is to shoot it a lot and don't clean it so much. John Whidden of Whidden Gunworks used the .243 Winchester cartridge to win the 2017 NRA Long Range Championship, his fifth LR title at Camp Perry (and second in a row). I had a good deal on some 100 gr Hornaday interlocks. Have not hunted with my 243 win however the round for hunting around here most handloaders use is the nosler accubond. I've owned a few Handis and barrels and understand what they are and can be. I'm using 44.5gn of IMR4831 with the 87gn and 44.0 with the 90gn. It also shoots the 87 grain v-max's very well. I am planning to try some 105 A-max's with retumbo powder very soon for the LONG RANGE accuracy. Hornaday Spire Points with IMR 4350 powder so well that this is the only bullet I load for that rifle. Start with lighter (shorter) bullets and work up. .243 Winchester barrels, on the other hand, were rifled 1:10" to stabilize bullets as heavy as 105 grains. I got great accuracy with the 70 Nosler BT, getting 3425 fps. Shooting 80-100 grain hunting bullets, a.243 will anchor a buck with authority. The faster the twist rate the heavier (longer) the bullet needs to … However, this rifle caliber doesn't just stop there. Driving the light 55-75 grain pills, the.243 provides the flat trajectory and high impact energy varminters love. Since I have a box of Sierra 70 MK's that is what I will start with. 85 gr Sierra Game Kings are a proven accurate and effective deer bullet. I believe the gun can shoot more accurately, but the 8 powder scope with cross hairs which subtend about 1" at 100 yards makes shooting tighter groups problematic. First things first, the bullet weight is measured in grains. Varget is another powder that will work under about any .243 bullet. Most factory ammo features 50gr to 60gr projectiles. I'm loading the Remingtons .010 off the lands and I'm thinking they like to jump into the lands. It was decided to test them in .243 calibre because, according to factory ammunition sales, this is the most popular calibre in Australia. Twist rate, in certain cases, has an especially pronounced effect on loads that are at the top and bottom end of the weight range for the particular chambering. All of my favorite creatures have white bottoms. It started life as a 25-06 but I wasn't happy with it. One bullet I just CANNOT get working out of my CZ 550 are the Remington 100 gr Core-Lokts. My wife (62 yo) decided she wants to hunt with me so I dug it out and and fit it to her. I bought some 100 gr Remington Coreloks for sighting in. I remember from some time back that these barrels like the lighter bullets. I've sold of all but 5. John says that, at least for a sling shooter, the .243 Win is hard to beat at long range. Start with lighter (shorter) bullets and work up. Perhaps its because the .243, which is based on the .308 Win. Plug in you powder & bullet weight & it gives you the data. Since the .243 Winchester ammunition is a rifle ammunition, it is mostly used for varmint hunting or deer hunting. The Sierra 60 HP is very accurate & a great fur bullet. Because the 100 grain is near the top end of what (most) .243 Win will handle, I suspect that twist rate might be part of the issue. Then using your stepped loads (try to shoot when there is NO wind). I was using 55gn Nos BTs for foxes, but once i got my .223 i just went back to one load of 100gn BTSP for the .243, if i do see a fox and i have the .243, then the 100gn is absolutely fine.. Welcome: You have discovered the site where you can buy the finest, most accurate, world-class precision 6mm (.243"), and 6.5mm (.264") custom bench rest, long range & varmint bullets on the market!I build bullets only. I'll second the 87 Gr Vmax for the 243. Sierra Game Kings are my favorite choice for 308, 30-06 and 280 Rem. bullet. A forum community dedicated to the great outdoors and hunting enthusiasts. Generally Savage runs 1/9.25 in their 243's. 85 gr Sierra Game Kings are a proven accurate and effective deer bullet. This combo is for my wife who want to learn to hunt. It also might be one of the most accurate of all rifle rounds at ranges under 200 yards. The .243 can handle bullet weights from 60 grains up to 105 grains, from hollow points to ballistic tips and can be used on most types of small to medium Australian game. The 1 in 12 inch twist is ideal for best accuracy with varmint weight bullets (70-85 grains) in a high velocity .24 (6mm) caliber rifle. Highly accurate and below 1moa. xp3 95 gr. In the past 62 years, it has been chambered in a huge variety of rifles and actions from dozens of manufacturers and is consistently one of the most reloaded rifle cartridges. Mine likes the 75 grain v-max with a healthy dose of Varget and CCI BR primers. Everyone wants to shoot 100 gr bullets and you should be able to but they could also be more challenging to find the most accurate load. and 5/8" 3 shot groups at 100 yards. Any experience with the Win. How do they do it? Freezer, here ya go: My .243 is a Superlight with a 1:9 twist. 1 at .458" and one at .450". Thanks guys That's what I needed. 85 gr. Blackpowder Mortar & Cannon by Seacoast Artillery, Hand Loading Rifles & Handguns by Diamond K Brass, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Everyone wants to shoot 100 gr bullets and you should be able to but they could also be more challenging to find the most accurate load. When Winchester introduced the .243 Winchester in 1955, it quickly became a best-selling sporting cartridge. I started with 105 gr bullets when I bought my first .243 about 25 years ago. JavaScript is disabled. Used to ring the steel gongs out to 500 yards with no trouble. Price is not a factor as I'll never use two boxes in the rest of my life. In this bullet weight range, the new Hornady Superformance .22-250 Varmint ammo is the king of speed. This batch was primed with magnum rifle primers because that was all I had and could get at the time. I know others who have had good luck with the lighter weight bullets, but that's not been my fortune. 55 grain nosler bt will drive tacks out of my savage 12fv. That’s about 200 fps faster than other brands’ offerings with the same bullet weight range. The Official Predator Masters Search Engine. Put a regular bullet into the ribs and it should go thru and the deer not so far. The heaviest spitzer bullet that a .244 with a 1 in 12 inch twist barrel could stabilize was 90 grains. The .243 Winchester cartridge most often uses bullet weights in the 55-115 grain range, with 55, 87, 90, and 100 grain bullets being the most common. I have had real good luck with the 60 grain Sierra HP and the 65 Grain Hornady V Max for varmints/predators and the 85 grain Sierra HPBT or the 95 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip for deer . Hornady claims 4000 fps for its SuperFormance ammo, loaded with 50gr V-Max Bullets. I tried the lighter weight VMax bullets in my Savage .243, but could not get decent accuracy out of them until I got up the the 87" grain bullet. I tried several different powders, but the only one which delivered good accuracy in hot temps and in cold temps was SR3031. The 87 gr VMAX work well enough as well. I did a trigger job and put it away. I agree with Capt RB. to take untold numbers of deer, antelope and more than a few elk each fall, despite assertions from big-bore advocates that the .243 is marginal, at best, for smaller big-game animals. Everything you have read about breaking in high dollar match barrels by cleaning and shooting only one time between cleaning doesn't work for handi rifles. Can you send some of you load data? The Sierra 85 BTHP is another good one. My favorite general purpose .243 load uses a Hornady 87 grain BTHP bullet in front of a maximum load of 37.1 grains of IMR 4064 powder for a MV of 3100 fps. 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