.243 Best bullet weight?

[Robby]

Have an old Remington 700 Varmint Special in .243. Believe the barrel twist was 9 1/8 " or something close to that. As the gun has only seen about 300 rounds since new, feel should have at least another 1,000 rounds before barrel starts to lose a little accuracy. Have recently started shooting this gun again using 68 gr. Rubright BT bullets and found accuracy quite acceptable. Was wondering if this bullet weight is best for this caliber and twist. Gun is used strictly for putting holes in paper, usually 300 yards. Thanks for any thoughts..243

 

[stacy]

THERE ALOT OUT THERE FOR YOUR 243 85GR SIERRA'S BTHP IS MY GO TO BULLET FOR EVERYTHING PAPER TO CRITTERS BUT THERES ALOT MORE !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[stork]

THERE ALOT OUT THERE FOR YOUR 243 85GR SIERRA'S BTHP IS MY GO TO BULLET FOR EVERYTHING PAPER TO CRITTERS BUT THERES ALOT MORE !!!!!!!!!!!!!

+1 on Stacy's choice. 4831sc and Sierra 85hpbt do very well on Whitetails, Antelope. It's been my 'go to' bullet for decades with the 243.
Al

 

[sbhooper]

100-grain Honady Interlocks have always been my preferred bullet. They are really accurate and work great on critters up to deer.

 

[wbm]

The 85gr Sierra HPBT with H4831 is a great combination! Very accurate and lethal on deer.

 

[hunter243sgk]

Try the 70g hpbt from sierra. As you said you were just shooting paper out to 300.

 

[243winxb]

I like the front of the bullet to seal the bore before the base of the bullet leaves the case neck. Less gas blow by is my thinking, longer barrel life. But i have no proof if it makes a difference?? I still shoot Berger 68 to 90 gr in my 40X/ 243, and dont worry about it.

 

[alf]

Using 68 gr. Rubright BT bullets and found accuracy quite acceptable. Was wondering if this bullet weight is best for this caliber and twist. Gun is used strictly for putting holes in paper, usually 300 yards.

I wouldn't waste any more time or money chasing better than you have. Shoot the hell out of it, and rat hole the savings toward a new barrel.

 

[HTSmith]

I'd try Berger 88 gr flat base bullets. Most of my factory barreled rifles have shot flat base bullets better than boat tails. Berger says 10" twist works.

 

[expiper]

Op,,,for 300 yds anb less you cant beat 'botique' custom benchrest quality bullets (and Brians are very good),,,with a 24" bbl I would tryH-4350 and H-4895 or Rx-15 !!!,,,,Roger

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

For a 1/10 twist my 2 go to bullets are 95gr BT and 87gr Vmax for a faster twist 105 and 108 Bergers

 

[KentuckyFisherman]

Here's another vote for the Sierra 85 HPBT, but I power mine with a stout load of IMR4350. Shoot it from a Rem788 carbine (18.5 inch barrel) and it drops most whitetails like a hammer. Accurate, too.

 

[Zero333]

Any Match bullet weighing 70 to 100gr will work nicely for you. And no need to shoot it at the highest possible velocity because paper can't tell the difference. If you're shooting 600+ yards, only then the extra speed comes in handy.

I suggest Sierra 95gr Matchking or their new 95gr TippedKing. It's a good match for your rifles twist (as long as it's really a 9.125" twist).

 

[Hntndad]

70 grain Sierra blitz. 10tw. Ackley. H414. 3730fps. Easy on brass and cheap to shoot. Relatively speaking. Just noticed I didn't mark the 5th shot. Oh well?!

 

[boltgunluvr]

I'd try Berger 88 gr flat base bullets. Most of my factory barreled rifles have shot flat base bullets better than boat tails. Berger says 10" twist works.

Diddo on the flat base part. I've been informing folks of this for many years but many get too focused on BC. BC doesn't mean squat if your rifle won't group it. As far as the 95gr SMK, I've had great success with it using mild H4350 or IMR4350 and my Rem 700 prefers jumping approx .065 with that bullet.

 

[Robby]

Thanks folks for all the replies. I like the idea of trying some flat base as most of the small amount of shooting with this gun has been BT. Looking forward to revisiting this gun as its been a closet queen for too long a time.