why not .243

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jewraffe

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I am predominently a pistol shooter, but am looking to get into some long range shooting.

Why does it seem the .243 cartridge is viewed as the ugly step sister and is rarely dicussed?

Speaking from a ballistics and trajectory standpoint it looks to be quite superior to the mainly spouted .308 and .223/5.56 especially at longer distances.

I realize they are not a cheap cartridge, but we are not is a cheap sport.

Thanks to those who can educate me.
 
More than likely because it would be exceptionally hard on barrel life. It's a rather overbore cartridge for the high volume of shooting you'd typically do in a match rifle. Accurate barrel life might be no better than 2,000 (or so) rounds.

Then there's bullet choice and ballistics to consider. Heavier bullets retain velocity better than lighter ones. If you go up just .5 mm in diameter (.264), you have a great variety of match bullets available to you.
 
Why does it seem the .243 cartridge is viewed as the ugly step sister and is rarely dicussed?
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Because I think most people don't understand the 243 or they never took the time to see what it can do. Mostly the 243 is viewed as the wife's hunting cartridge cause she can't handle the recoil of a real man's cartridge.

Speaking from a ballistics and trajectory standpoint it looks to be quite superior to the mainly spouted .308 and .223/5.56 especially at longer distances.
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It is FAR superior to both the rounds you mentioned. With the right load combination the 243 can stay supersonic out to 2000 yds.

The furthest hit I ever connected with my 243 was 1890 yds. The little white spec to the bottom left of the inset is the target.

243-1900ydTarget.jpg


The best shooting I ever did with it was on a 55 gal drum at 1700 yds.

243-1700ydTarget.jpg


The view through the 16x scope at 1700 yds.

243-1700ydScope.jpg
 
There is nothing "wrong" with it. The 243 is a bit too much of a good thing for long distance. The drawback to any 6mm is the fact that the best bullets (115 and 117) have BC's around .550. Beyond a certain point, you need significantly more powder to achieve even modest improvements in velocity. Cartridges such as the 6XC, 6SLR, even the 6-6.5X47 achieve almost the same results without the penalty in terms of barrel life.

Having said that, the 243 and its AI cousin, and the 6mm Rem will achieve great results with poor accurate barrel life.

They make incredible varmint cartridges, as you can get the really light 6mms close to 4000 fps.
 
I think the only real issue with it is barrel life. I would estimate under 1500 accurate rounds. Lapua makes brass for it and the bullet selection is excellent in the 6mm. You can read up on it at the link below:

243 Cartridge Guide
 
Ive always thought that the 243 should be used in alot more than just long range shooting also. Its too bad that the AR-15 was'nt chambered in 243 also.
 
Ive always thought that the 243 should be used in alot more than just long range shooting also. Its too bad that the AR-15 was'nt chambered in 243 also.
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The AR-10 can be chambered in 243win,however,since it is restricted,just like the AR-15,it is also limited to shooting at a range approved for restricted weapons.
 
"...too bad that the AR-15 wasn't..." M1A's were at one time. Had a .243 Supermatch in the shop, long ago. Guy who bought it went into the Queen's Service, posted to Montreal. Took the rifle to a gun show and nearly got trampled by guys wanting to buy it. Hate to think what it would be worth now.
How much hold over at 1700? Just curious. The .243, in any bullet weight, drops like a brick past 300.
 
Drops like a brick past 300y? The 155gr Sierra Matchking is widely used for target shooting to 1000y and longer. The Palma, for example, is shot with .30 bullets weighing less than 156gr at 800, 900 and 1000y. The 107gr Sierra Matchking has 12% less drop at 1000y than the successful 155gr SMK. 20% less wind drift as well.
But competitive barrel life of the .243 is probably a third of the .308.
 
Nothing wrong with the .243. I had one for years; extremely adequate on everything in North America except for the big bears and extremely accurate as far as you are capable of shooting. Don’t worry about what people think of your cartridge; just go shoot it Man!
 
When someone creates a 124gr ULD, the 243 will be all the rage.

Right now, there isn't a bullet heavy enough to warrant that much case capacity.

Invent the bullet, change what is the 'in' thing.

Jerry
 
I built a 243 as my first long range rifle. When it came time to rebarrel it I ordered the barrel and my smith talked me into 6mmBR instead of 243.

It was good advice.
 
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