.243 Win~ Hornady V-Max Vs Nosler Ballistic Tips Vs Sierra Blitzking.

[robbobsam]

As the title states, I am looking for a bullet for my .243 Tikka T3 super Varmint. I hope to be shooting at ranges up to 600yds+ and I am after the best possible components to achieve the best possible results.

What bullets would you say are the best for accuracy and effect ???

The bullets will be used in England where the wind can be a nuisance and the ranges will be up to 600yds after rabbits and foxes.

Please share with me your thoughts and experiences.

 

[Yellow11]

You failed to mention your barrel spec i.e. twist rate and length.

Also, wouldn't mention bunny bashing with a fullbore to our boys in blue.

 

[camac]

The Tikka 243 super varmint should have a twist rate of 1:10 and plenty for the 55 to 87 grain versions of these. You might do OK with the 87 gr vmax if you are lucky. I didn't find them as accurate as the noslers or sierras but certainly worth a try for the extra BC. They are all extreme overkill for Bunny;s and foxes at ranges less than 300 so the effect will be dramatic anyway you go (the 55 gr Nosler and Sierras are absolutely spectacular at 4000fps). 600 yds plus in wind will have you chasing the highest BC though so take a look at the 87Gr VMax first. In all my rifles the Bothe The Sierras and Noslers delivered around quarter minute accuracy, I couldn't get the 87 Grainers under 0.4 but it may have been me.

 

[tonyb]

There is no particular bullet that is going to be the most accurate in all guns, just because 40x serial number 0000045 shoots the v-max far better than all other bullets, does not mean that its brother 40x serial number 0000046 will like the same bullet. It is up to you to find out what your particular rifle likes. This is what makes it fun!

Just my 2 cents worth.

Tony.

 

[lightman]

I'm thinking that to shoot in the wind at 600 yards that a heavier bullet would be better.I have gotten good accuracy with both the Sierra 95 and 107SMK's and Berger 95 and 105 VLD's.They are not really a hunting bullet,but might be worth a try. Lightman

 

[WyleWD]

Depending upon what your twist rate is in your barrel, I'd be looking at the 75gr Vmax or the 87gr Vmax. Out of my 243's they are accurate, can often provide spectaular impacts, and I've never heard one come off the ground (richochet).

Now that being said, I hope you aren't planning on dining upon the rabbits nor planning on light pelt damage on the foxes. WD

 

[NZVarminter]

I've shot the 70g blitzkings at 3350fps against the 87 vm at 3150 in my 6br at 300m and 500m.

The 70's have 3" more drop at 300m and 7" more drop at 500m even though they have a higher muzzle velocity.

The 87 win out due to the higher bcfor anything over 300m.
with less wind drfit too.

 

[camac]

If you want to try the long distances the 87 is the must try bullet. They don't shoot well in every rifle but give them a go first. From there the 75 gr Hornady, 70 Gr blitzkings and 70 Gr Noslers all do a similar job.

 

[SteveNC]

I have a 6mmAI and use the 87 VMax, good place to start.
Best balance of factors for me trying to make 400+ yard shots on GHogs.
Exciting effects if you happen on a closer in varmint.

 

[SS427]

For accuracy in a varmint round, I always start with Sierra, followed by Nosler, followed by Hornady. Tony is right, you never know what you gun is going to like best until you try it, but more of my guns shoot Sierras more accurately than the other two combined.

For splat factor, the order is unfortunately reversed. The Vmax in my opinion is the most explosive of the three. Between the Nosler and Sierra, I give a very slight edge to the Nosler. (I assume splat is what you meant when you said effect.)

 

[RonAKA]

I would give the Berger 80 and 88 grain Varmint Match bullets a try. The 80 works quite well for me. The 88 needs more twist than my 1-12 barrel, but should be good in a 1-10", and has a higher BC.

 

[bozo699]

robbobsam,
I usually get the best accuracy from the v-max bullets but nosler bt bullets are very accurate and will defintly hold together better @ higher velocities,I havn't used to many blitzkings,but serria made them they must be good, I think if I were you I would spend the money for all three box's of bullets and let your gun decide.
Wayne.

 

[CPorter]

I have a .243 win in 12 twist that shoots the 80gr Nosler BT (.329 BC) & 3200 fps really well at 500 yards in the wind. The girlfriends .243 Win with a 10 twist shoots the 87 gr VMax (.400 BC) & 2950 fps pretty well at that range too. I have also shot the 70 gr Ballistic tips in both a 12 and 9.125 twist at 400-500 yards & 3350 fps with good results. Several of the competitions I've shot in had winds blowing 20+ mph.

I have quality concerns with the Vmax and Amax from Hornady because several times I opened the box and found the plastic tips loose in the box. It hasn't happened with the last 10-20 boxes but has happened regularly at times. This has never happened with Sierra or Nosler.

 

[bozo699]

I have had the same thing happen only with accubonds?

 

[6BRinNZ]

Hi robbobsam,

in my 6br, I have used 88 Bergers, 75 V-max and I am now moving to 105 A-max, all for varminting on rabbits from 200-600 + yrds

The 88 Bergers are very accurate, but you need to keep them running hot as they don't open so good on non bone hits.

The 75 v-maxes are incredibly effective and I have connected multiple times with rabbits between 400- 430 yrds. I have just started measuring these projectiles though, and they aren't the most consistent.

I am moving to the 105 A-maxes simply because IMO they are the best mix of BC, projectile consistency and splat effect for ranges 400+....inside of 400 and the 75 v-max is easily sufficient. I have seen the 105 A-maxes connect with rabbits at the 400-420 yrds and they hit them good and hard.

Good luck .243 velocities on a rabbit should be spectacular!