243 long range bullet

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PurpleCoyote

New member
What would you guys reccommend for longer range shots in 243? Im loading 58 gr v-max now but thought there should be soemthing better for say 400 to 600 yard shots. Not that I plan on getting long shots like this but would like to see what I can do on paper off shooting stix at that range. Im not talking super groups just good coyote hunting accuracy or ground hogs.
Thanks Daryl P.
 
Berger's 115gr Match VLD has a BC of .595 and their 105s are .556 both of which are amazing. The 107gr MK have a BC of .527 above 2500fps, which is still incredible, and Hornady 105gr A-Max's BC is .5 BC. With any of those superb bullets you would probably need a 1:7 or 1:8 twist barrel to shoot them.

Out of a more "normal" barrel, you should be able to shoot the 87gr V-Max. It has a BC of .4 which is pretty darn good, and should get you out to the ranges you are talking about, while still being stabilized under 100yds too.

Leon
 
Quote:
What would you guys reccommend for longer range shots in 243?



For a couple years I shot a 243 Remington Varminter in F-Class and 1000 yard matches. My favorite load was the Sierra 107 grain MK over 39 grains of H-414. I seated the bullets out to engage the rifling. Most 243s will stabilize the longer VLD type bullets just fine as the cartridge was designed primarily for white tails, not varminting so most come with 1 in 9” to 1 in 10” twist barrels. My Varminter was a 1 in 9” twist.

The down side to shooting a 243 a lot is the barrels wear out very fast. My varminter was spent at just a bit under 2,000 rounds. It doesn’t say “magnum” anywhere but the 243 truly is a “magnum” in every sense of the word. The only thing it’s missing is one of those goofy belts.

I can’t tell you what this bullet does on critters but on paper it was always in the winner’s circle.

As to whether or not the 243 is big enough for hunting big game, just ask my daughter who took an elk with one this year using the Hornady 100 grain Interlock. She hit it straight on, between the shoulders and the animal was done in under 2 minutes. It dropped 20 yards from where it was hit. Of course bullet placement is everything and I take credit for her fine training… /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I would think you will need a 1 in 8 twist for those 105 and 107's. 9 might work if you can run them fast enough.
 
I shot the 105 and 107 bullets in competition for years. They are the best no question about it. I went through 5 barrels in 4 years. Not a single barrel got to 800 rounds before it blew up bullets.

Shooting varmints an occasional blow up is no big deal. Shooting for score, the first blow up is devestating to your average score.

Jack
 
I have a Remington model 7 that the only way I can keep a group at 100yrds under an inch is to use an 80grain Win.PSP bullet. Does anyone have a reason for this? Thanks. I bought this rifle brand new.
 
Duck, the best way to test VLD's is at 200-300 yrds. I've seldom got benchrest groups at 100 with JLK 105's but they would group under MOA at 200 and out. Some say they take longer to "fall asleep" or stabilize. Don't think the twist in your Model 7 is fast enough for a VLD's in the 100 grain on up. RR
 
Sounds like he's refering to the group's opening up. A quarter min rifle won't win much in a match but it won't miss many varmits either!
 
When bullets blow up they come apart. They disintegrate and throw bits and pieces in all directions from the centrifugal force.

Roadrunner is correct that the VLD bullets should be tested at longer range. They almost invariably will shoot a smaller MOA group at 300 than at 100. I have a 22-250AI that will shoot just under 1 MOA groups at 100 yards but shoots close to 1/2 MOA at 300 yards.

I don't think anybody knows the exact reason VLD bullets are like this but it is a very common occurance.

Jack
 
Quote:
I went through 5 barrels in 4 years. Not a single barrel got to 800 rounds before it blew up bullets.



I thought I was getting robbed! I don’t remember bullets coming apart but my rifling just in front of the chamber burned away very quickly. I could see a measurable change at about 100 rounds. I’ve always been of the opinion that ball powders helped contribute to this in a big way. I’ve pretty much given up on them now. Is this what you were using as well?
 


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