Good .243 AI hunting bullets?

[IA_shooter]

I'm going to have my gunsmith take my 28" 1-8 twist .243 Criterion bull barrel down to 26" and ream it out to .243AI and I'll be using this rifle for coyote and deer hunting. I want to be able to smack a coyote way out there if the opportunity presents itself.

So here's my question........what's a good high BC hunting bullet to use for such an application? I'm leaning towards Berger 95 gr hunting VLD's..........good choice? What are another couple of options to consider?

Thanks.

 

[Nomad47]

105 AMax. They are nasty on groundhogs. And I know they take down deer.

 

[Bigame1]

Try the Berger 105 grain hunting VLD they work great in my 6mm-AR Turbo Imp.and shoot good in my 6mm-SLR as well.

 

[kyreloader]

I load 87g Vmaxs and 85g Interbonds in my nephew's .243 with a 9.25 twist. In his rifle with the same seating depth(dont touch seating die) and the same powder charge, both bullets have the same POI out to 400 yards that we have tried. The Vmax works very well on groundhogs, crows, and coyotes and he has used the Interbond successfully on two Kentucky whitetails with complete penetration. He likes the additional velocity and less recoil.

You could go heavier with your 8 twist, but this could be a great combo for your new AI. BC is nice with the heavier bullets, but speed and fragility makes a good mess with varmints. Bonding makes the IB very reliable for deer as well.

 

[RJinTexas]

I shot the 105 Amax in my both 6mmAI & 6x47L and the bullet has work fine for both whitetail & coyotes.

RJ

 

[MrMajestic]

Another vote for the 105 grain A-Max here

 

[ar15topgun]

Barnes TTSX or Lapua scenar.

 

[Tommie]

90 grain Swift Scirocco is a pretty mean hunting bullet. Really decent exterior ballistics and it's hard to beat a bonded core when shooting at widely differing ranges.

YMMV

Tom

 

[WyleWD]

If I could have only one bullet for the 6mm family for chucks, deer, hogs, and coyotes.... it would be the good ole Sierra 85gr HPBT. Still the best deer bullet that I've ever used in any caliber. Usually darned accurate too..... and that helps. WD

 

[stacy]

I'M WITH WYLEWD.........................

 

[calib]

I use the 95 bergers in a 1:9 twist and they do very well on coyotes and smaller as well as deer, they also bang steel pretty well

 

[jcampbellsmith]

If I could have only one bullet for the 6mm family for chucks, deer, hogs, and coyotes.... it would be the good ole Sierra 85gr HPBT. Still the best deer bullet that I've ever used in any caliber. Usually darned accurate too..... and that helps. WD

+1. https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/1530/243-dia-6mm--85-gr-HPBT use them in this rifle.

http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/gallery/Member%20Galleries/p4428-Russell%20Gall%20243%20Ackley%20Improved.html

Regards JCS

 

[IA_shooter]

90 grain Swift Scirocco is a pretty mean hunting bullet. Really decent exterior ballistics and it's hard to beat a bonded core when shooting at widely differing ranges.

YMMV

Tom

I got to see some of these down at my gunsmith's place tonight, they might be something I'll try. I was dropping off my Criterion .243 barrel at his place so he can ream it out to .243 AI for me and I was asking about good bullets for it and he recommended them as well. Hopefully I'll be working up loads for this soon.

 

[Tommie]

90 grain Swift Scirocco is a pretty mean hunting bullet. Really decent exterior ballistics and it's hard to beat a bonded core when shooting at widely differing ranges.

YMMV

Tom

I got to see some of these down at my gunsmith's place tonight, they might be something I'll try. I was dropping off my Criterion .243 barrel at his place so he can ream it out to .243 AI for me and I was asking about good bullets for it and he recommended them as well. Hopefully I'll be working up loads for this soon.

There are cooler bullets out there, granted. My experience has brought me back to cup-n-core bullets when all factors come into play. Bond the core and now you're talking about a serious hunting bullet.

Keep us posted.

Tom