Opinions: .243 Winchester

Boomer686

Boomer686

Northern Mod
Moderator
Rating - 100%
549   0   0
Location
The Big Land
Looking at getting a heavy barreled .243Win for ranges out to 500m. I already have .308 & .223 rifles.

Ballistically, on the few comparisons I have made on similar ammunition it maintains better ( on average) velocity & energy with less drop than either the .223 or the .308 Anyone have any experience with it?

Regards,
 
Depending on whether you choose an off the rack gun or a custom rifle will to a large degree dictate the long range potential of the .243. Factory barrels are seldom more than 1:10 and the longest bullet they will stabilize is the 95 gr Scenar, and this bullet isn't bad at long range. But if you have your heart set on shooting heavy VLD's, you had better choose a fast twist barrel. The .243 has a reputation as a barrel eater, but so do many long range rounds.
 
6mm Remington (.243)

I have a 6mm Remington in a Ruger M77 Target and it shoots very well. The best pill I have found it shoots is a Noler 95gr CT. This is not what you would call your match round but it shoot them accuratly. 1/2 MOA 5 rounds some times better. With some 4064 behind it, it flys along its way at 2865 fps with very little spread. The rifle has had an extreme amount of rounds down the tube and still seems to shoot very well. The twist is a 1-12 so I cant shoot any of the VLDs wich really sucks but I do shoot it at 1000 yards regularly and it hits the 8 inch gong 4-5 times out of 10 shots. Thats if I do my part. I cant say anything bad about it. The only thing I wish was different was that it was a 1-9'' twist so I could shoot the goods.:D
 
I like the 243. Like boomer said, if you want to shoot heavy bullets you need a fast twist barrel.

The Remington 700 SPS Varmint is a 9 1/8 twist an the Savage 116s are a 9.25 twist. That allows you to shoot some pretty heavy bullets. Maybe not the 108s but the 85 SGK are a good long range bullet and they will defenetly fly well.

If you already have a 308 and a 223, you are really already well setup for 500 yard shooting.
 
MagnumPeanut said:
The Remington 700 SPS Varmint is a 9 1/8 twist an the Savage 116s are a 9.25 twist. That allows you to shoot some pretty heavy bullets. Maybe not the 108s but the 85 SGK are a good long range bullet and they will defenetly fly well.
Click to expand...

FWIW, I have an SPS-Varmint (9 1/8 twist) that shoot the 105 A-max's/Imr 4350 extremely well.

:pirate:
 
I know cycbb486 shoots the 105 Amax from his now that I think about it. I believe he said hes put 500 rounds or so through it without problems. Maybe he'll speak up here soon. I've only tried the 85 SGKs so far.
 
Ironic, I just obtained a heavy barrel .243 from an estate...and I am trying to find a reason to keep it. Its a beauty too...a pre 64 model 70 in great shape. But I would prefer a .223 for target shooting.
 
Do you want energy and flat trajectory? or do you want accuracy?
Click to expand...

I have seen some pretty good evidence that the 243 can provide both - just not at the same velocity. Maybe not quite 6PPC - but not too shoddy either.
 
Rem 700

243 Winchester youth model with 9.25" twist is what I have.
It shoots 55gr Sierra BK's into pretty nice little groups at 100 yards and at 500 yards. It shoots the 105 A-max with reasonable accuracy out to 500 as well.

I plan on playing a bit more with it this summer trying a few other heavy bullets out to that distance as well. I may even get a chance to stretch its legs out to 1000.

It is harder on barrels than say a 6BR but after the barrel is worn out if you have a REMINGTON, you have a great platform to build on.


Calvin
 
I currently run a Savage 12fv in .243 with a 1 in 9.25 twist.

I shoot 65 grain vmax most of the time at 3500 fps and I'm getting 3/4 to 1/2 groups at 100. I can shoot them out to 500 and hit clay pigeons but they get bounced by the wind at that range. 95 SST is not a precision bullet but I do use it out to 500 with better results than the vmax when it comes to the wind.

I have tried the Bergers 95 grainers but with poor results. Likely my fault. I do not have good access to a range all the time so working a load and playing with seating depths was not an option for me so I went back to what I knew worked. I will gie it another go once I get the opportunity to do so this summer.

I really like my .243 because I can use it for paper, gophers, coyotes and deer.
** music starts***These are just some of my favourite things.***music fades****
 
"...heavy barrel .243..." Varmints at long range. Not at 500m. Not enough energy left for deer sized game. You wouldn't want to be lugging a heavy barreled rifle anyway. Varmints had best look out though. Most likely a 1 in 10 twist. Any bullet weight will do, but it'll prefer heavy bullets. 85 grains and up.
"...Factory barrels are seldom more than 1:10..." Most of 'em are rifled for deer hunting. Even heavy varmint barrels. Most are 1 in 9.125 or 1 in 9.25. Brownings are 1 in 10.
 
Run the ballistics on any of the heavier VLD's and you will be amazed at how far out they will stay supersonic. I shot out to 2000 yds with a fast twist .243. At 1500 yds I put 4 out of 8 rounds onto a 2'x4' target.

The .243 beats the #### out of the .308 for range, energy and accuracy. It is a much better cartridge.
 
.243 heaven

I have a .243 on a 700 action with a McClennan barrel. I shoot chucks out to 475 yrds no problems with a 75 grain vmax bullet. It is the sweetest rifle, I just have confidence in it and that is a great feeling. I am using 42.2 grains of IMR 4350.
 
What is the main purpose you have in mind for the rifle, Target? Hunting?

I have alot of respect for the 243 and have just started shooting 105 amax's out of mine with better than expected accuracy than one would expect from a HB varmint rifle.

Also shoots 80 grain Bergers FB target bullets into the .4s and .5s at 100 m

On the same note the same gun shoots 100 SGKs pro hunters ans 75 gr V-max bullets under 1 MOA.

This is the reason I like the 243 it is forgiving with load development, not picky with bullet selection plus its just an easy gun to shoot!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom