Bench Rest 243?

[andrews1958]

Would anyone consider using a 243 as a 100 yard bench rest rifle? I have read a number of post on all the different calibers used (6BR, 30BR,6PPC, etc) but have not read anyone using a 243 for bench rest rifle. What sort of accuarcy can you expect out of it at 100 yards? 200?

 

[WyleWD]

If it was all I had and I wanted to shoot in competition to see what it was like that is the only way I'd consider the 243 for a 100yd bench rifle. As far as accuracy goes, with a well tuned varmint barreled rifle I'd expect to shoot .5" or .4" groups in a 10 shot relay at 100yds. Any of the 3 other calibers you mentioned, can shoot groups half that size and under in a 10 shot relay. And if you go to 200 yds those 3 calibers will still beat it.

The 243 is one of my favorite calibers, but not for bench shooting. WD

 

[Phil]

Plus the unnecessary powder use and the recoil of the bigger case....

If you wanted to try it just to see.......GO FOR IT....

 

[K22]

I've been shooting the cartridge since the late sixties and believe it is one of the finest dual purpose hunting cartridges (deer and varmints) ever developed. I have three of them and they group near the 1/2 moa range but are in no way competitive for benchrest shooting.

Also, the recoil and excess powder capacity of this cartridge does not lend itself to competitive benchrest shooting. For shooting informal club matches, it might be fun to try it but if your thinking of getting into serious benchrest shooting select one the cartridges specifically designed for this application such as the 6mmbr.

 

[fdshuster]

andrews1958: I agree with all of the above. Excellent cartridge for varmints, deer, long distance requirements, etc. but not ideal for benchrest competition. I don't recall seeing any 243's being used in our local Varmint for score match's, where it would be competing against the 6ppc's, 6BR's, 30BR's, etc.

Relatively short barrel life ( to meet benchrest accuracy requirements). One of our match's use a 1/2" dia. 10 ring at 1,2,& 300 yds. These match's are won with perfect scores of 150 out of a possible 150, something that's tough to do even with a dedicated benchrest cartridge.

I have seen them being used, at times in the factory class, but the "little" 222's & 223's do very well at the shorter distances.

 

[Rustystud]

In 1954,1955,1956 Remington and Winchester were duking it out Winchester with the .243 RockChucker and Remington with the 6mmRemington. The Remington 6mm had the advantage of 2. grains of powder and longer necks. The .243Winchester was the child of the .308 Winchester and there was plenty of surplus brass available. The 12-14 twist barrels worked great for bullets of less than 60-70 grains. The advent of th 9-10 teist barrels led to the use of 80-100 grain bullets opening up the .243 and 6mm Remington to bullets more suited to whitetails and pronghorns. Now the 8-8.5 twist expande the .243 and Remington 6mm for shooting the long high BC VLD bullets.

I have owned three .243Winchesters all have been very impressive. It is one of my all time favorites.

Nat Lambeth

 

[GerryM]

The 243 was abenchrest cartridge back in the 50,s Warren Page had a very similar case that he used quite often. The case is very very good but is less accurate over
the long haul in benchrest competition. The 30 Br 6mm Br and 6ppc are the new dominateing cases that win match after match, Still the 243 is a great case for course shooting and some types of hunting,, It excellent for varminting also.