What is a good long range .243 bullet for a 1:9.25 twist

[joemax]

:-*

Also, I've been reading your threads, and you have a lot to learn about bullets and ballistics. I read somewhere that you are afraid that a bullet will splatter "way out there", well, bullets are more prone to splatter on a deer up close than further away.

The 95-100 grain class of nosler ballistic tips are what I would use for deer out to 500 yards. They act more lke a bonded bullet at those distances when started at 2900-3000 fps. I've never had a BT splash close up in my 243 but I have heard of others experiencing the splash effect when using BT's that are light to mid weight for caliber and pushed hard.

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

The gun is a Savage Model 10 with about 300 rounds down the barrell. I probably would buy a Hart barrell next time around based on what I am learing but this is valuable in the sense that by going through the process and making some mistakes I am learning very much. Really don't regret it...I learn more by doing. On the bright side, I did come up with a load for the Sierra 70 grain Match King with Varget that is shooting a half inch five shot group at 100 yards.

It would be cool if there was a site in which calibers and bullets were listed and everytime a guy shot an animal they could post the shot details and lethality, internal damage, etc.

 

[xpilot]

Having shot a fair number of deer with a 243 over the years I have 2 favorites. #1 by far and away is the 85gr Sierra HPBT. It is consistent, accurate, and I've never had one ruin a lot of meat. ]

+1 on the 85HPBT

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

 

[timeout]

Bravo for asking, trying, shooting, learning. I am with Erik though, that by the looks of these targets fired @ 100 yards, you will be hard pressed to hit a deer at 500 yards, much less strike the vital zone. I have used a .243 on a fair amount of deer over many years. My recommendation is 400 yards max. I have had good luck with 100 gr. Nosler Partitions. The bullet must hit the vital zone. A poorly hit deer with any rifle/bullet combo will not work. I would buy a new 1 in 8 twist, quality barrel, or restrict myself to shorter range. Keep learning and shooting. You may also find that trying different seating depths may have a profound effect on your target groups. You will need to measure base to ogive, not base to tip. Good Luck with project brown and down!

 

[Raythemanroe]

You should be able to shrink those groups even in a factory barrel, Trim your cases at one even length debur your flash holes and uniform your primer pockets! Also you may want to sort them by weight and sort your bullets by ogive and weight! Then try ladder testing through different charges for each load you use at about 300y...There has been good ladder testing info out there...But my words of wisdom are stick with 95g to 100g bullets for deer size animals no matter how good you think you can shoot!

 

[Gman]

Some very good input posted in this thread. I use a Rem 700 chambered in .243 Win (factory tubed 1 in 9.125" twist) exclusively for PA whitetail. I use 100 gr Sierra Gamekings and only lost 1 buck (I don't shoot doe) because of a bad hit on my part. Personaly, I would not take a shot on a 150+ lb whitetail at more than 300 yards with a .243 Win. (just my opinion)

 

[expiper]

Seeking,,,?? are you trying various seating depths also,,...that is more impactfull on groups than changing the powder charge!!,,,Roger

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

Thanks guys. I don't imagine that I would shoot a deer beyond 300 yards but if I can hit targets well at 500 then 300 should be doable for deer. I have shot several fox last year between 200 and 330 yards at night with a red light on my CDL .17 Fireball. Actually, have not lost one yet at those distances shooting off the best tripod in the world .

I read alot on here and came to the conclusion from Erik and others that I should not play at all with seating depth until after finding the best powder load.

Guess there are lots of ways and I am having a blast learning and loading. Hope I never think I have it all figured out.

 

[Kermit in Va.]

If you can get hold of some 90gr Accubonds, give'em a try.
Think you'd like'em.


Kermit

 

[stinnett1981]

95g Sierra Match Kings and H4350

 

[fredhorace77]

I read alot on here and came to the conclusion from Erik and others that I should not play at all with seating depth until after finding the best powder load.

dont waste too much time on it...youll burn that barrel up trying to reach something that isnt going to happen...ask me how i know

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

How do you know... ;D

Seriously, I have 350 shots down the tube. Figure at 500 all my load development will be over. Probably shoot about 100 shots a year after that so in about five years it will be at 1,000 shots. How many before accuracy begins to become reduced? I am pretty good about letting the barrel cool down and cleaning it well. Any input is appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

Someday when I am more seasoned I think I would like to get a 7mm STW with a muzzle break. Just kinda dumb in PA that I cannot shoot far due to trees. Think it would be g.reat fun shooting one of these out to 1,000 yards. You guys out west are lucky in that regard.

Heck, might have to arrange a drive out to Wyoming some day for a speed goat and some ground dwellers just to be nice to that gun ;-).

In my mind the .243 is an Eastern guys 7mm mag. Kinda see my .243 as practice until I am ready to take the next step down the road of long range someday...

 

[fredhorace77]

some might disagree with this but .243's are hard on barrels...if i cant find a load with in 100 rounds...the barrel goes on down the road