243 old but still good!

[Idaho-Lefty]

The 87 Gr. HVLD Berger's, are shooting SUB 1/2 MOA ( repeatedly ) at, 100 yds with, 43.5 Grs of, N-160, CCI 200 Primers, Rem Brass at, 2.710 SAMMI COAL and am getting slightly over 3,130 FPS out of, a Factory "stock" Tikka, T-3 SS, 1-10 TW, 22.4 " bbl. (EXCEPT, have a YoDave Trigger Spring set a 1.25 pounds ) using Forster Dies,.. needless to say I'm, VERY, pleased with THIS load as, the ES was only 11 FPS ! My son, shot a .277 CTC 5 shot, group, with my rifle and this load. I've shot several, 3 shot "Clover Leaf's" so far and less than, 1" groups at, 200 yards. I'm also using, 87 Gr Hornady, V-Maxes, for Coyotes with, the SAME Load but, Chrono's slower at, 3,070 / 3,090 FPS and it, still shoots very small, @ 5/8th's inch dia groups or,.. less. Slow loads but, so ACCURATE for, a 7.5 pound, Coyote / Deer "carry" Rifle. As usual, work up ANY Load, CAREFULLY, tho I believe this load, to be safe in my Rifle as not Max, per VitaVouri. PS; at urbanrifleman, NICE looking Rifle ! Tikka's don't need, Rubber bands to hold them together, tho ! LOL ! YOUR idea, to shoot VV N-160 was an AWESOME idea, THANKS !

 

[urbanrifleman]

The 87 Gr. HVLD Berger's, are shooting SUB 1/2 MOA ( repeatedly ) at, 100 yds with, 43.5 Grs of, N-160, CCI 200 Primers, Rem Brass at, 2.710 SAMMI COAL and am getting slightly over 3,130 FPS out of, a Factory "stock" Tikka, T-3 SS, 1-10 TW, 22.4 " bbl. (EXCEPT, have a YoDave Trigger Spring set a 1.25 pounds ) using Forster Dies,.. needless to say I'm, VERY, pleased with THIS load as, the ES was only 11 FPS ! My son, shot a .277 CTC 5 shot, group, with my rifle and this load. I've shot several, 3 shot "Clover Leaf's" so far and less than, 1" groups at, 200 yards. I'm also using, 87 Gr Hornady, V-Maxes, for Coyotes with, the SAME Load but, Chrono's slower at, 3,070 / 3,090 FPS and it, still shoots very small, @ 5/8th's inch dia groups or,.. less. Slow loads but, so ACCURATE for, a 7.5 pound, Coyote / Deer "carry" Rifle. As usual, work up ANY Load, CAREFULLY, tho I believe this load, to be safe in my Rifle as not Max, per VitaVouri. PS; at urbanrifleman, NICE looking Rifle ! Tikka's don't need, Rubber bands to hold them together, tho ! LOL ! YOUR idea, to shoot VV N-160 was an AWESOME idea, THANKS !

It shoots amazing but is very temp sensitive. So watch it carefully.

 

[500yards]

In my opinion the .243 is the finest little deer rifle I've ever used. Even when compared to others that I've had considerable experience (and luck) with, like the .270, 7mm magnum and .308, the .243 is a deer getter without peer. Of course you must refrain from questionable shots and not ask the little round to penetrate vast quantities of muscle and bone to reach the vitals.

Couple those deer harvesting abilities with a round that serves as one of the best ultra-long range varminters in history and you have a heck of a package! Most good rifles in .243 are capable of phenominal accuracy. They are also pleasant to shoot with the low recoil associated with the round.

Just my opinion

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

@ urban, yup,.. It's a great Powder, so far ! ( you, talked me into it,.. LOL ! ) It's cold and Windy here, so won't shoot in 70- 90 degrees weather for, a while !
I work up loads, in 35 to 55 degree Spring weather and "Proof" it, to 800 yds, THEN, Deer Hunt in Fall, Late Oct./ Nov. ( same range of Temp's, approx. ). NO, I won't shoot a Deer past 500 or so ! ( I just like to Practice, further ). I'm using it, at below Max. Vel. and I Practice on Plates Summer Time so will get to see IF,.. OK or, not. I might start playing with, Win StaBall 6.5 IF, the VV N-160 becomes, a "problem" ! I have a VERY accurate Barrel and don't want to,.. "squander" it, by burning it out ! @ 500 yards,. YUP I will never be without,.. a .243 win. or, 6 MM SLR ! I LOVE, the 70 to 90 Grain Bullets with,.. NO recoil !
This Tikka T-3 cost me, $620 plus Scope and accessories, so under $1,000 total, for sub. 1/2 MOA with, the Berger, 87 HVLD's,.. I'm in Rifle Heaven !

 

[urbanrifleman]

@ urban, yup,.. It's a great Powder, so far ! ( you, talked me into it,.. LOL ! ) It's cold and Windy here, so won't shoot in 70- 90 degrees weather for, a while !
I work up loads, in 35 to 55 degree Spring weather and "Proof" it, to 800 yds, THEN, Deer Hunt in Fall, Late Oct./ Nov. ( same range of Temp's, approx. ). NO, I won't shoot a Deer past 500 or so ! ( I just like to Practice, further ). I'm using it, at below Max. Vel. and I Practice on Plates Summer Time so will get to see IF,.. OK or, not. I might start playing with, Win StaBall 6.5 IF, the VV N-160 becomes, a "problem" ! I have a VERY accurate Barrel and don't want to,.. "squander" it, by burning it out ! @ 500 yards,. YUP I will never be without,.. a .243 win. or, 6 MM SLR ! I LOVE, the 70 to 90 Grain Bullets with,.. NO recoil !
This Tikka T-3 cost me, $620 plus Scope and accessories, so under $1,000 total, for sub. 1/2 MOA with, the Berger, 87 HVLD's,.. I'm in Rifle Heaven !

The NEW N160 is supposed to be here soon, and it is supposed to be totally temp insensitive.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Has anybody started to "play" with, Winchesters, StaBall 6.5 Powder in, the .243 Win, 6SLR, 6XC, or 6 Creed ??
Hogdon's has, load data for the 6mm Creed with, the 90 grain Bullet weight !
I was thinking about, trying some, 90 gr AccuBonds / Ballistic tips with, StaBall to beat the Temp "thing" And,. easy to "throw" the charges as it, meters WELL!
My son is trying 150 ELD-X's and 168 gr Hunting VLD Bergers and getting about 50 to 100 MORE, FPS out of his 7mm-08 ( Ackley Velocities and great, ES ! ).