243 in a 10" twist
- Thread starter Pruson
- Start date
Anton Chigurh
Member
There’s no magic bullet weight for certain twists, you’re just limited to a certain length bullet with a given twist. Many factory 243 rifles are still made with 1:10 twists, my Tikka T3 lite is one. I’ve only used up to 95 grain bullets in it, but I’d not be afraid to try 100 grain SP hunting bullets either. I’d expect 105s wouldn’t stabilize.
So, a 10” twist 243 should shoot bullets from 55gr all the way up to at least some 100 grainers. Obviously your local atmospherics can play a role when dealing with marginally stable bullets.
For which to use on coyotes, I shoot them with whatever I have on hand, just to eliminate them, usually 95 grain bullets. But I think if I was loading for dog hunting specifically I’d try 75 or 87 Vmax, or 70 Nosler BT. 55gr Vmax or BTs would shoot really flat and I’m sure would wreck coyotes.
For all around killing bullets I like 90 and 95 Nosler BTs, but I shoot pigs more than coyotes.
So, a 10” twist 243 should shoot bullets from 55gr all the way up to at least some 100 grainers. Obviously your local atmospherics can play a role when dealing with marginally stable bullets.
For which to use on coyotes, I shoot them with whatever I have on hand, just to eliminate them, usually 95 grain bullets. But I think if I was loading for dog hunting specifically I’d try 75 or 87 Vmax, or 70 Nosler BT. 55gr Vmax or BTs would shoot really flat and I’m sure would wreck coyotes.
For all around killing bullets I like 90 and 95 Nosler BTs, but I shoot pigs more than coyotes.
Ghostman
Member
Having owned 8 or 9 243 rifles over the years (2 presently) I find the caliber is somewhat "finicky" and I've had to do quite a bit of experimenting to find the right combo of bullet weight, powder and seating depth for best accuracy.
Most of my rifles with 1-10 twists shot bullet weights of 70-95 grains best. Some rifles preferred lighter 70-80 grain bullets and others shot 90-100 grains better than lighter grain weights. In other words each rifle is an individual, what shot well in one brand of rifle didn't shoot as well in another. The 2 exceptions were SS Tikka T3s. Both shot darn near everything well with very close POI in varied bullet weights.
My favorite 243 varmint/coyote bullets are 70 Nosler BTs and 70 Grain Speer TNTs over Varget. Neither are especially fur friendly but both bullets shoot 1/2" in several 243s I've had or currently own and both will anchor a coyote DRT.
Most of my rifles with 1-10 twists shot bullet weights of 70-95 grains best. Some rifles preferred lighter 70-80 grain bullets and others shot 90-100 grains better than lighter grain weights. In other words each rifle is an individual, what shot well in one brand of rifle didn't shoot as well in another. The 2 exceptions were SS Tikka T3s. Both shot darn near everything well with very close POI in varied bullet weights.
My favorite 243 varmint/coyote bullets are 70 Nosler BTs and 70 Grain Speer TNTs over Varget. Neither are especially fur friendly but both bullets shoot 1/2" in several 243s I've had or currently own and both will anchor a coyote DRT.
BOWLSEYE
New member
55 to 75 grain bullets have been accurate for me. 70 & 75 Speer & Hornady HPs or Nosler BTs over Hybrid 100V have shot great. One of Hodgdon's reloading books had an article with a formula of 44.5 grains of H100V and it worked great. They don't show in in their load data, which I think is strange, so be aware.
A lot of good results with Varget, H380, W760/h414 out there too.
Found some Winchester 80grain Varmint ammo the other day cheap it shot .5 in my 9 twist savage but my TC Icon was over an inch. Doesn't really mean anything but the Icon does shoot the 80 grain Federal blue box great.
A lot of good results with Varget, H380, W760/h414 out there too.
Found some Winchester 80grain Varmint ammo the other day cheap it shot .5 in my 9 twist savage but my TC Icon was over an inch. Doesn't really mean anything but the Icon does shoot the 80 grain Federal blue box great.
Ghilliedup2
New member
I have also found the 80gr win super x to shoot excellent, my 1:10 would shoot hand loaded 55gr nbt great and the 87gr vmax fairly well too...good news is the 243 has lots of great options
Ghilliedup2
New member
What rifle are you looking into? There's some sweet deals in the savage 11 predators right now and it's a pretty good all around rifle with the medium bbl it actually handles pretty decent
Ghilliedup2
New member
That sounds like a good choice of rifle, there's a whole lot of great choices these days, I'd like to try a kimber someday and the Bergara ridge is looking like a sweet rifle as well
Ghilliedup2
New member
To get back on track though, I've heard of a few with the 1:10 being able to shoot the Hornady 105 hpbt but its borderline I think. personally I would prefer 1:9 or close to it like savage rem and ruger have cause they generally will shoot everything except a few of the really long match bullets. The 105 hornady has a great rep as a dual purpose target/long range coyote bullet
nightcaller
Active member
I like 95 gr Berger classics. Not nearly as difficult to tune as vlds but they do a great job on anything you shoot. Not fur friendly but I've hit them in the guts and they don't go anywhere. Work great on deer and aren't hard on meat.
crowkiller51
New member
Originally Posted By: nightcallerI like 95 gr Berger classics. Not nearly as difficult to tune as vlds but they do a great job on anything you shoot. Not fur friendly but I've hit them in the guts and they don't go anywhere. Work great on deer and aren't hard on meat.
This Bullet ^^^
This Bullet ^^^
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Originally Posted By: crowkiller51Originally Posted By: nightcallerI like 95 gr Berger classics. Not nearly as difficult to tune as vlds but they do a great job on anything you shoot. Not fur friendly but I've hit them in the guts and they don't go anywhere. Work great on deer and aren't hard on meat.
This Bullet ^^^
Great 243 bullet
This Bullet ^^^
Great 243 bullet