.243win 1:10 twist with lead free bullets

geenhead93

geenhead93

Member
Hey guys,
I'm putting together my next coyote rifle and am planning on building something in .243win. I would like to build it off of a Howa barreled action but unfortunately the Howas come in a 1:10 twist. This is going to be a dedicated predator rifle so I wouldn't be too concerned about stabilizing heavier bullets but unfortunately I am limited to lead free projectiles and factory ammunition (for now). So my question is will I be able to stabilize the longer 80-90gr lead free in a 1:10 twist .243? Or is it worth it to build off of a Ruger American Predator instead just in order to get the 1:9 twist?
Thanks for any help!
 
Nosler 55gr NBT LF and Barnes 62gr VG's worked fine in my 1-10 twist 243, 6x45 and 6mm-204.
 
Nosler 55gr NBT LF and Barnes 62gr VG's worked fine in my 1-10 twist 243, 6x45 and 6mm-204.
 
80 & 90 should be fine, but anything over 95 will definitely be questionable. It depends on the bullet design. Hard to say for certain once you get to the top end of weights.

Berger has a twist chart that might be helpful. Obviously it is dialed in for Berger bullet choices, but you should be able to input the information for your intended bullet. Just enter the information and see where it leaves you.

https://bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/
 
I shoot Nosler 55 gr Lead Free Varmint bullets and Barnes 62 gr Lead Free Varmint bullets out of my 243 Win at coyotes. They cost about 50% less than the Lead Free copper big game bullets do. A 243 Win shooting the Lead Free 55 gr and 62 gr is very close to being like a 22-250 shooting lead bullets. I had to have a 1-8" twist barrel put on my 22-250 so I could shoot the 55 gr Barnes MPG Lead Free bullets.

It really sucks to have to shoot 35 gr to 40 gr Lead Free Varmint bullets out of 220 Swifts or 22-250's that have 1-12" twists.

With big game copper bullets 80 to 85 gr is about as heavy as you can go in most 243 Winchesters.

My 6mm Creedmoor has a 1-7/2" twist barrel and it shoots the Barnes 95 gr LRX bullets pretty good. Right on the box of Barnes 95 gr BT LRX bullets it says you need a 1-8" twist or faster to shoot them.
 
Thanks for all of the very valuable insight, it is much appreciated. According to the Berger calculator the 80gr. Barnes , which is the lightest factory ammo available is only "marginally stable". This whole dilemma has me realizing that reloading is pretty much a must if one wants decent accuracy with lead free projectiles out of the common barrel twists offered on factory rifles. Time to start reloading. With that in mind, is the .243 the best option for someone who reloads over something like the 6mm Creedmoor? I do like the idea of loading the .243 to be something like a lead free 22-250 in terms of performance and I already have a 6.5 CM to reach out there.
FWIW the Ruger American comes in a 1:7.7 in 6CM and 1:9 in .243.
 
I have a Tikka T3x Super Lite in the 243 Win. I worked up a load for it using the Barnes 80 gr TTSX and it is a great bullet. My rifle is a 1:10 twist as well.
When I first got a rifle I shot a box of factory Barnes 80 gr TTSX knowing that is the bullet I wanted to reload and they show great, sub MOA. I then worked up a load using IMR4064 that is about 50fps faster than what Barnes shows on their box of factory ammunition.
I am more than pleased with this bullet and its accuracy in my rifle.

I have not used the Barnes Varmint Grenade bullet in my 243 but I do have a load for the 36 gr VG worked up in my 220 Swift and it is devastating on the coyotes.

I think you would be very happy with the Barnes 80 gr TTSX. At the very least, pick up a box of factory ammunition and give them a try before you settle on a bullet.
 
Originally Posted By: geenhead93With that in mind, is the .243 the best option for someone who reloads over something like the 6mm Creedmoor?

If I were reloading, and had the choice between the 243 and the 6mm Creedmoor, I'd take the Creedmoor in a heartbeat. Not reloading? Then the 243 is a better choice.

If you are wanting to load heavier bullets the factory Creedmoor barrels will have a much faster twist in most cases.
 
A bit different but very similar.
I shoot a 6mm rem 26" 1x12 twist.
Varmints, and coyotes, I use a 55 gr Varmageden, 4200 fps.
Deer I got with a Barnes ttsx 80 gr at 3700 fps.
They work for coyotes very well but don't expect to save fur.
 
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"Deer I got with a Barnes ttsx 80 gr at 3700 fps."

Holy Crap. What powder and charge? Max on that bullet in a 6 Rem according to most loading manuals in in the 3400 range ........

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