Switching .243 87gr Hornady to 58gr Hornady. What should I expect?

Stewienb

Stewienb

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"Cooeyville" Alberta
I'm loading 87gr Vmax now with IMR4320 and getting 3/4" groupes zeroed at 200yds. Thinking of switching to a lighter bullet solely for coyotes at greater distances. Thinking flatter shooting at maybe 500-600yds.
Question is will I just shoot higher or will it shoot totally different, (left or right)? What's everyone's experience been with this. Just somethig I've been thinking about.
Thoughts?
Thx.
 
You can't predict anything you are asking about. There is no alternative to actually loading and shooting to find out what your gun will do with your reloads.

So, get them loaded, go to the range and find out.
 
I think you might be over looking part of the real challenge of long range shooting - doping the wind.

A bullet arcs up and down as it goes down range. It also curves left or right (or both) as it goes down range, because of wind. To hit the target, you have to dial in the correct elevation (for range) and some left or right (for the wind).

At 600 yards, the amount of elevation shift over a 200 yard zero is about the same as the amount of wind adjustment you need for a 10 mph wind.

BUT, you can see or estimate or maybe even KNOW the range to the target, but you can only guesstimate the wind value (factoring in angle and strength).

For this reason, I would say flat shooting is not as important as reduced wind drift. And reduced wind drift comes from a higher ballistic Coefficient (heavier bullet).

If I was to use a 243 for longer range varmints (I have used a 243 on ground hogs) I would opt for the 85 Vmax, not the 58 Vmax.

At 600 yards, using the 85 gr Vmax, a 10 minute wind needs only 5 minutes of wind, whereas a 58gr needs 7.5 (50% more adjustment).

I think you are all ready using an excellent bullet that will make hits easier, and it is shooting well for you.
 
Did that--High 'n right, as I recall. But thats just my gun. Find a load yer happy with, and figure out how it shoots a whatever ranges you like, and just go with that--seems to be my experience at any rate.
 
I haven't used the 58 gr Hornady, but with 55 gr Nosler BTs my groups opened up to about a foot at only 600 yards, so IMHO, these light bullets are not the answer for long range use, even without the wind drift issues. The 90 gr Scenar stretches the .243's legs quite nicely, and despite being a match bullet, won't do a coyote any good. An 80 gr Nosler BT wouldn't be so far behind the Scnenar's ballistic performance, and would produce more predictable terminal performance.
 
I shoot the 58 VM Moly's... An excellent bullet... But I don't shoot beyond 400 yards... I agree with the above advice, if your objective is long range (400+ yards) shooting, then a longer bullet will benefit you more. But from zero to 400 yards the 58 VM is an excellent bullet on predators.
 
Have to agree on what's been said thus far. Not sure why you would want to leave the .400 BC of the 87gr VM in favour of the .250 BC of the 58gr VMs'.

Another option could be Nosler 60/70gr BTs'. My .243 seems to favour the 70gr BTs' with a mild charge of 4064 @3200fps (+/-).
 
Done a lot more research since I posted this and I'm going to stick with what's working for me so far.
Haven't really been trying the long shots before that's why the questions may seem a bit off to the more experienced guys on here.
Thanks for the input everyone, it opened up my mind for new research and clarified a lot.
 
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