Discussion on 243 and light bullets

J

Jesse Jaymes

New member
I am considering a rebarrel project. I will say right off the bat I am a lefty, so things are limited. I have a few 223's and a few 22-250's and a Savage 243. I am considering rebarreling project. Considering putting a med-hvy 243 Win barrel on a lefty 700 action and having it at 22". I am thinking of something like a 12 twist to use 55, 58, or 65 ish grain bullets. I guess my idea rifle would look like the new VSSF or whatever the lightweight calling rifle is, I don't pay attention to the right handed stuff.

Can anyone relay real world thoughts or experience with the 243 and bullets of lighter weight ??

Not sure what I am aiming to achieve, as I have several varmint type guns. I am or was interested in a 204, but would have to start from scratch as I do not have a small bolt face lefty in a Remington and am trying to get away from Savage.

Will the 22" barrel greatly affect the velocity with a 55 grain bullet ?
 
Jessie:

If you are going to re-barrel, you might look at the 6mm Remington instead of the .243.. Same bolt face, and in my opinion, the 6mm Remington is a much better round..
Just a thought...

Dave
 
I have had wonderful results w/ 65 V Max at about 3700 + fps with my .243.....few exits unless within about 50 yadrs..when it does exit it is nasty....but most times there is no exit and 90 % of those I shoot with this round go down VERY hard....no hunting for the corpse....

Thay also shoot very well from my rifle.......about .75 for 5 rounds....good enough for me for a truck gun.

Joe
 
For lighter bullets in 6mm the 243 has plenty of powder capacity and it's a true short action cartridge. I am shooting a 22" barreled one on my new Kimber Montana and I like it a lot.

Get a heavier barrel if you want one but my light barrel is quite accurate for a few shots.

I am shooting the 58 gr VMax and am satisfied with the modest load as I can see the bullets hit. My twist is 1-10. Some say that the short bullets are overstabilized and maybe so but my gun really shoots. The 6mm PPC's twists are 1-14 I think so maybe there is something to it and maybe not.

[image][/image]

Click on the above thumbnail to see the result at 293 yds. This bastich just flipped tail over head and lay there. I really like this five pound Kimber for a walking/calling gun.
 
Here's an interesting thread I began at BR Central about why overstabilizing light, short bullets causes accuracy loss at long range.

One member, I have come to realize, hit the nail on the head. It's basic physics when you think about it.

I'll link the thread so you can decide for yourself. Suffice it to say that if you want to shoot the 55's and 58's accurately at ranges beyond a couple hundred yards, you should do as you're inclined to do and go with a 1:12 or even a 1:14. This will limit your rifle to 85 grain bullets and lighter (or thereabouts) but it'll shoot tighter at 300 and beyond.

Here's the link. Watch for the post from the guy who mentions the trajectory arc, and the "nosing over" issue as the bullet comes down the back side of the arc. (There's where a hyper-stabilized bullet will begin to have accuracy problems).

http://www.benchrest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22724&highlight=LR+groups

Here's a link showing a drawing of how an over-stabilized bullet flies through space (when it's fired at a high angle for a long range shot). http://www.nennstiel-ruprecht.de/bullfly/fig15.htm

This helps to explain why a 55 grain bullet fired from a 12 twist 22-250 groups tighter at long range than a 55 grain bullet fired from a 10 twist .243 win.

Dan
 
Main reason for chosing .243 vs. 6mm Rem., availability.

Don't try to find any bulk packed deals on the latter, nor are you likely to find a box in a secluded locale.

Otherwise, by the #'s, 6mm is superior ballistically.
 
I am still wavering over several things and my ideas change hourly. Wish I was right handed. I know it will sound foolish, but in choosing the .243 caliber (any chambering really) would make it legal in almost all states or cases for take a "target of opportunity". If I called in a bear, with valid tag or tags in hand while working coyotes, I am going to take the shot, if one is presented. Behind the ear, base of skull or something. Point being it would be a legal round. Same for lion or cougar, although most states are probably .224 min.

I'd like a fur friendly kinda deal, but I know I am going the wrong way for that. BUT, in my experience, I did shoot some 70 TNT's I think that were very fur friendly on yotes even under 50 yards.

I am trying to build a rifle for bobcats and coyotes. Never have taken a bobcat, but will concentrate on them specifically this season. Would just hate to hate one turned inside out though.

Again, with having a few of all, I still think I'd like a 243 caliber built around the small bullets. Now thinking the 243 AI for no other reason than to have two options and some fun tinkering with a new cartridge. Just beginging to worry about a barrel only lasting 400 round with shooting 58's at 4000 FPS. Any thoughts ?
 
Then get a browning chambered in 243 wssm. they chrome the barrels and that will extend barrel life. Also, from what I have seen, you actually in many cases get the best accuracy when you load it down a bit as savage 99 said. Mine has the same 1-10 twist as his and I am also using the 58g vmax. It is more accurate when I reduce the load from the maximum and that should also keep the wear down. The vmax 58 g does rip things up, though. So you may want a different bullet in yours.
 


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