Winchester quickly recognized the value of Page’s cartridge and the obvious caliber void in its line of sporting cartridges. My gun likes a .010 jump at 3100 fps . copper creek's 105 vld load should hammer out to 1000 in your barrel, at best i was getting near 1" @ 400 yards with the 105 a-max same barrel you'r using. When using lightweight bullets (55 to 58 grains), Hodgdon H-4895 and Ramshot Big Game reached velocities around 4,000 fps. It’s available as a component and factory loaded by Norma. It’s also a wonderfully accurate projectile; in fact, when working up loads for American Rifleman, the average of five consecutive, five-shot groups at 100 yards from a $269 Savage was 0.98”. John selected the .243 Win because it offers excellent ballistics with manageable recoil. Speer 100-grain Grand SlamUnlike most lead-core projectiles, in which the hardened lead core is inserted into the jacket, that of the Grand Slam is poured directly into the tapered, gilding metal jacket featuring heel folds; therefore, the Grand Slam combines a friction and mechanical grip between the two materials. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. Accuracy, increased range, flatter trajectory, less wind drift and devastating terminal results are all realized with Superformance ® Varmint ammunition.. Find a Retailer It is unclear exactly when noted gun writer Warren Page began experimenting with 6mm/.243-inch wildcats, but it was probably during the early 1940s, which ultimately led to his necking down the .308 Winchester case shortly after it was introduced in 1952. projectile top the accuracy attainable with this bullet. Wolfe Publishing Company | 2180 Gulfstream Suite A | Prescott, AZ 86301. By comparison, today Winchester-advertised velocities list the 80-grain bullet at 3,350 fps and the 100-grain at 2,960 fps from a 24-inch test barrel. Despite its protected-point profile, flat base, and wide meplat, the 100-grain, .24-caliber Grand Slam still has a respectable BC of .327. Hornady VMax with 46 gr. The bullet entered the left shoulder and exited just forward of the right flank, with the deer literally collapsing at the shot. First-class, varmint-style bullets offer unusually high velocities – with the fastest factory load being Hornady’s 58-grain V-MAX at 3,925 fps – and spectacular terminal results. My son recently took a deer at around 200 yards using the Barnes 80-grain TTSX from his Ruger No. .243 Winchester (using Sierra bullets) reloading data with 551 loads. Perhaps its because the .243, which is based on the .308 Win. How do they do it? Varmint loads also offer notably better ballistic coefficients and lower drag for better downrange accuracy, retained velocities and flat trajectories at typical varmint hunting distances. Having shot more than a dozen deer with it from a .243 Win., 6 mm Rem., and 6 mm Int’l, seldom do deer travel far—if at all. Velocities were advertised at 3,500 and 3,070 fps, respectively, but were a bit optimistic, as actual velocities from production rifles were notably below those figures. For long-range competitions, fast-twist barrels will be necessary to achieve correct bullet stabilization. Its sibling, the 95-grain VLD Hunting, is loaded by HSM. Hornady technicians developed this load in Hornady cases using Federal 210 primers. A lot depends at what distances your shooting at. Its below .75. Norma brass. Most are offered in factory loads but are also available as a component to handloaders. The .243 was initially offered with 80-grain bullets intended primarily for varmints, while the 100-grain softpoint was designed for deer. I load the same round for my 270. Its a very humane round, mostly drop right their in most cases 100 yards and farther. All are top tier. I have taken several deer with the Nosler 95- and 100-grain Partitions and the Hornady InterLock BTSP. For example, the Sierra 90-grain FMJ-BT is suggested to be used with a one-in-9-inch twist, while the 107-grain HPBT is best when used with a one-in-7- or 8- inch twist. Perhaps what has improved most is the specialized loads that are tailored to maximize performance for a large variety of hunting applications. Maximum case length is 2.045 inches, while the trim-to length is 2.035 inches. of Ram Shot Hunter. Boasting a BC of .330, the 75-grain V-Max is more aerodynamic than its lightweight counterparts, and yet it can be propelled much faster than the 87-grain variant. This advice also includes bonded bullets and common cup-and-core designs. The .243 Winchester’s light recoil is a plus for shooters who are susceptible to recoil sensitivity. 100gr core lokt is a very good deer bullet. For the largest, toughest species within the .243 Winchester’s capabilities, the Norma Oryx is an excellent choice. Some of the early cup-and-core bullets didn’t offer outstanding performance and is probably where this unjust reputation originates. Perfect for animal culling, the 60-grain Controlled Chaos bullet also is well suited for varmint/predator hunting. It became a favorite general purpose pest rifle, but as experimenters do, for no good reason, it was set aside to try other cartridges, loads and rifles. From normal 22" barreled sporting rifles, realistic safe maximum working velocities include 3200fps with 85/87 grain bullets, 3100fps with 90 grain bullets, 3050fps with 95 grain bullets, 3000fps with 100 grain bullets and 2950fps with 105 grain bullets. As hunting season approaches every year, we look toward our gun cabinets and wonder if we're really using the best deer rifle. I'm very pleased with what I saw last year. Berger 95-grain Classic HunterContaining a hybrid nose design and long, Berger VLD-style boattail, the match-grade 95-grain Classic Hunter has the best BC of any .24-caliber bullet that’ll work within SAAMI parameters for overall length (and thus fit into standard rifle magazines). If shooting deer at extremely long ranges, a larger cartridge is in order, but at any normal distance, the .243 is a very capable deer cartridge. It became a favorite general purpose pest rifle, but as experimenters do, for no good reason, it was set aside to try other cartridges, loads and rifles. Lots of good powders for the 243, your rifle will tell you what it likes.. No particular order here, but I usually will find a good load with one of these.. Lots more than these will work for you too..... H-4350 H-4831 RL-15 RL-17 One of my current favorite loads is the 87 gr. This way, you’ll be able to know if one of these rifles is closer to your ideal .243. Forget about loads with bullets lighter than 90 grains, for they do not generate useful downrange killing … My favorite general purpose.243 load uses a Hornady 87 grain BTHP bullet in front of a maximum load of 37.1 grains of IMR 4064 powder for a MV of 3100 fps. D. Rifle and ammunition sales were strong. 1/2-MOA at 200. In other words, if a load was developed in a Norma case that holds 56.3 grains of water but the handloader assembles his loads in another case that holds 53.3 grains of water, pressures can jump significantly. InterLock ring) to the lead-alloy core, thereby minimizing jacket-core separation during expansion and penetration. Just so you know, Blue Dot is shotgun powder and you won't find this data published in too many places. It’s just right. VERY good deer round so far. When reloading for the .243, the most suitable powders are those in the W760, H4350, IMR4350, ADI2209 and H414 range. The .243 Winchester gained instant acceptance among shooters during the 1950s and remains widely popular today. When hunting deer (especially mule deer), feral hogs and smaller black bear, the Grand Slam is a great choice. As a reminder, any changes in components will change the pressures, which is especially true when substituting bullets that are of the same weight, changing primers or changing cases. Use the data exactly as outlined. The big difference is the 243 slug will be carrying 247 f.p. Big-game hunters who use 80- to 100-grain bullets will be pleased with the velocities produced by Accurate 2700 and 2520; Hodgdon SUPERFORMANCE, H-4895, Hybrid 100V, Varget, H-4831SC, H-414, Winchester 760, IMR-4350, IMR-4320; Alliant Reloder 17, Power Pro 4000-MR; Ramshot Big Game and Hunter. Not that you can’t hunt deer with a 90-grain bullet, but the hunting market is what it is, and the .244 fell far behind the .243, with Remington renaming its cartridge the 6mm Remington. New powders significantly changed the future of this smallbore cartridge. SSTs are factory loaded by Hornady and Black Hills Ammunition. Temperature was recorded at 24 degrees below zero. The projectile has a heavy, tapered, gilding metal jacket that’s bonded to the lead core. Although the above .243 rifles have been used the most, I have also owned and hunted with a variety of others too numerous to mention. Remington 700 adl factory 1:9 twist Winchester brass pockets trued and flash holes reamed . After entry, hydraulic pressure forces the nose to shard and radiate outward, causing numerous smaller wound channels while the caliber-diameter base provides straight-line penetration. Three-shot groups halved that. Handloading the .243 Win allows you to take advantage of the caliber’s versatility by customizing your loads. 2 contour Douglas barrel; it proved capable of 1⁄4-MOA accuracy, which was uncommon for that era using common hunting bullets. In addition to handloading, 95-gr. In working with the .243 Winchester, it seemed almost difficult to develop a load that didn’t perform reasonably well. Around 1982. The .243 Winchester (right) is based on a necked-down .308 Winchester case (left). The .243 typically utilizes powder charges that are between 29.0 and 45.0 grains (although a few charges approach 50.0 grains). Using bullets from Sierra BlitzKing, Sierra HP, Sierra BlitzKing or HPBT MatchKing, Sierra SBT, Sierra SPT or HPBT, Sierra FMJBT, Sierra SPT or SBT, Sierra HPBT MatchKing. A friend uses it in the 270 for deer and swears by it. Thanks to its profile, the 0.98”-long Oryx will often stabilize in barrels with slower rifling twist rates that struggle with more aerodynamic bullets. Don't have the specific loads in front on me but the guns do like the old IMR powder. John says that, at least for a sling shooter, the .243 Win is hard to beat at long range. The .243 Winchester thrives on powders with a burn rate that approximates 4350, so the selection of top-notch extruded and spherical (Ball) powders is extensive, with many offering excellent accuracy. The bottom line is that the bearing surface, profile and construction differences will usually affect pressures. Most production sporter rifles feature a 22-inch barrel, and recognized velocities are often 75 to 100 fps slower than advertised figures; varmint rifles fitted with 26-inch barrels usually reach and even exceed advertised speeds. It’s also extremely accurate; in fact, seldom have I had any .24-cal. It will produce a very impressive wound cavity and large exit wound. There's a lot of debate as to what the best deer rifle is, but the.243 definitely has it going on. Varget: 43.4: Fed 210m: 70 Nosler BallTip: 3650 fps: Chino69 AI load. away. Yes, the .243 Winchester is A GOOD CHOICE for whitetail deer hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement. .243 Ackley Improved Loads Below — DO NOT USE in Standard Case: IMR 4895: 41.5: CCI BR4: 68 Berger MEF: 3630 fps: 1/4-MOA at 100, .005″ into lands, Hart barrel. As a “do-it-all” bullet, Sierra’s85-grain HPBT GameKing is tough … bullet. It’s available as a component and loaded in Hornady Superformance Varmint ammunition. I started loading for the .243 47 years ago and used IMR 4350 and as remember the load was 43 gr. Some are available in factory loads, while others require handloading. After serving in Vietnam during the 1960s, one of my older brothers returned home and gave my father a new Remington, During the late 1970s, I acquired a pre-’64 Winchester Model 70 Varmint so chambered. My 1965 243 BDL likes the 70gn with 40 gns of 4350 and the SPS likes the Matchking with just about the same load charge. It’s well worth the effort. H4350: 46+ I would highly recommend the 95g Nosler Partition. Load Titles: Number of Loads.243 Ackley Improved: 27.243 Cast Bullet Loads: 11.243 JS (P.O. The velocity is only 2200 fps or so, but they will shoot very good out to 200 yards or so. The result is a bullet that has rapid, yet controlled, expansion with weight retention averaging 90 percent or more. I currently am using the 85g Barnes TSX in my 243 and according to the Chrono it comes out of the muzzle at 3210 fps. Whether we're talking about the .223 Remington for deer, the .375 H&H for elephant, or the .256 Newton for Moluccan Rusa deer, the … This projectile is available only as a component. Most drop at the shot. Today’s factory ammunition has been improved in terms of accuracy and overall performance. to take untold numbers of deer, antelope and more than a few elk each fall, despite assertions from big-bore advocates that the .243 is marginal, at best, for smaller big-game animals. Coupled with the secant ogive, the red, polymer tip improves ballistic efficiency and initiates expansion. My 85 X load was the same as my Sierra GK BTHP load, max w/IMR4350, netted only 3100, but out of a 20" tube. Current industry maximum average pressure for the .243 is 60,000 psi. Although the above .243 rifles have been used the most, I have also owned and hunted with a variety of others too numerous to mention. Despite such impressive performance, the 85-grain BTHP GameKing is available only as a component; therefore, you must handload it. Penetration is deep; in fact, when hunting Montana antelope with a Montana Rifle Co. rifle in 6XC, the Oryx completed penetrated the animal from 330 yds. I have always had good luck with the core lokt bullet. .010″ into lands. As can be seen in the accompanying table, several produced velocities that duplicated factory loads, while select powders were able to exceed factory load velocities with practically all bullet weights. In spite of several excellent .243/6mm cartridges being developed to compete with the .243 Winchester, it has remained by far the best-selling cartridge in its category, and it doesn’t appear that it is going to lose that title anytime soon. Like its brethren, the 75-grain V-Max features a thin, fragile jacket and swaged lead core for dramatic fragmentation, while the polymer tip, ogive, and boattail base boost the ballistic coefficient (BC) for flatter trajectories and less wind deflection. 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