talk me out of a .243

Don't get me wrong 243 is a good cal. but to shoot a high bc bullet you will need a fast twist ( 1:8 or so ) and then it won't be as flat shooting as a 204. If you were to get a 1:8 twist 223 you will be able to shoot 500-600 yds. There is no comparison between a 22hornet and a 204. A 204 will also work at 500+ yds. jmho
 
Originally Posted By: whyDon't get me wrong 243 is a good cal. but to shoot a high bc bullet you will need a fast twist ( 1:8 or so ) and then it won't be as flat shooting as a 204. If you were to get a 1:8 twist 223 you will be able to shoot 500-600 yds. There is no comparison between a 22hornet and a 204. A 204 will also work at 500+ yds. jmho

I'm totally tracking you. I just want something that gives me a lot of options. The 243 is extremely versatile, and I like that a lot. Plus, if i ever get the urge to take it deer hunting out of state, it gives me that option.

I love the 22 hornet for small farms and out to 200yds, and am by no means comparing it to the 204. It just fills that short range niche for me. I just want a single rifle to cover everything else. That's why I'm leaning to the 243. Plus I can always re-barrel for a faster twist in the future.
 
My first predator hunting rifle was a Sako Forester 243. I used Sierra 75 grain bullets but if I were to use a 243 for coyotes today I would choose a lighter bullet which would make the problem I had with my 243 even worse.

I seated my bullets out a ways to at least get close to the lands. The 243 case has a rather short neck. If I were to get another 6mm I would choose a 6mm Rem over the 243. I reload, [beeep]. If you shoot factory ammo you'll never have a problem.

I killed quite a few mule deer with my 243 without a hitch. In 1967 I traded in the 243 for a 22-250 and have never looked back. I have thought about either a 257 Roberts Ackley Improved or a 6mm Rem Ackley Improved, [beeep]. If Oregon's laws weren't so ridiculous I'd already have one of these rifles.
 
I read in a shooting magazine, that if had a choice the majority of completion shooters would choose the 243 over any other gun, that the only gun that came close was a 22 250.. Most shooters here use 223. I myself am not a 223 fan that's just me.. I have a 22 250 and a 243, they are both good guns, like the 250 less recoil and with me group a little better in loner ranges, but I'm not that great of a shot. 243 best all around gun there is in my opinion you can do anything with it.. More common in my neck of the woods so there is always ammo if you don't reload. So in my opinion go get the dern thing and enjoy you can never have too many guns ( wife thinks you can) but if you don't like the 243 go get a new one, in till you find one you do like...
 
Originally Posted By: whyDon't get me wrong 243 is a good cal. but to shoot a high bc bullet you will need a fast twist ( 1:8 or so ) and then it won't be as flat shooting as a 204. If you were to get a 1:8 twist 223 you will be able to shoot 500-600 yds. There is no comparison between a 22hornet and a 204. A 204 will also work at 500+ yds. jmho



Really..... A 243 with a 10 twist barrel will shoot 87gr VLDH a lot farther than 500 to 600 yards. [beeep]..it will shoot 95 to possibly 100gr bullets as well.
Thats the dumbest thing ive seen in a while!
 
This will be a dedicated groundhog/target rifle.... with the occasional coyote or fox thrown in, not super concerned with keeping fur.
 
I've been a varmint hunter for 37 years. I've learned a lot in those 37 years. My first rifle was a Remington 700 VS in .25-06. I still have this rifle and will not part with it. Never have I seen a varmint bullet hit so hard. If I can see a ground hog it's in mortal danger. I shoot 85 to 90 gr bullets in this one at around 3600 fps. Also used this rifle for deer hunting as well as a black bear hunt. Pretty versatile in my opinion.

Two years ago I bought a Winchester in .243. This is another great cartridge. I like this one as much as my .25-06 and I would be hard pressed to choose between them. After owning this rifle I've come to the conclusion that I do not need a .22-250. The .243 will do anything the .22-250 can and do it better. The .243 is a great cartridge and I wouldn't talk anyone out of it.
 
Some time back I sold my .243. What a stupid mistake!! It loved 70 gr bullets and the coyotes hated them. Get one with a heavy barrel and the, already, light recoil is manageable for long periods of shooting. Then if you shoot a lot and you have to re-barrel get a barrel that will handle those 100 plus grain bullets and you have an entirely different beast. Example: 115 gr. DTAC bullets with a B.C of 585!! But, no need getting into a pi**ing contest. The .243 is just more versatile.
 
Tugboater, please read my post again ( if you even read it the first time ). I said high bc meaning high bc for a 6 mm bullet which is what a 243 is ( a 1:10 will not shoot them ) I don't consider .412 a high bc. Never did I say a 243 would only shoot 500-600 yds.
 
Last edited:
Sounds like a plan, Jersey; won't get an argument from me (unless you're a diehard handloader, then I'd say 6mm Rem.)
I have a .22 Hornet, 221FBs, .204s, .22-250 and a .243. Makes sense to keep the quiet, short range Hornet and have the .243 on hand for open spaces and maybe deer. Trust me: as much as I like the .204 Ruger, you are only going to efficiently kill prairie dog-sized varmints @ 500 yards and I'm pretty sure there are none of those in NJ. Run something like 70 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips through that SPS; you'll lose a few fps compared to the 55, 58s, etc., but you'll add a little barrel life and you can kill coyotes and groundhogs at distance. Recoil and muzzle blast/report with the 70 grain bullets is only slightly more than my .22-250, with more energy at longer ranges.
I'll always own a .243. Good luck with your choice.
 
Originally Posted By: whyTugboater, please read my post again ( if you even read it the first time ). I said high bc meaning high bc for a 6 mm bullet which is what a 243 is ( a 1:10 will not shoot them ) I don't consider .412 a high bc. Never did I say a 243 would only shoot 500-600 yds.



I see you had to do some reading, then edit your post. Nice....
 
get a 243 and have no worries.... love 243 so much I want another...just because... I don't reload and ammo choices are nice for off the shelf stuff. ... good luck let us know what you get
 
Originally Posted By: whyTugboater, please read my post again ( if you even read it the first time ). I said high bc meaning high bc for a 6 mm bullet which is what a 243 is ( a 1:10 will not shoot them ) I don't consider .412 a high bc. Never did I say a 243 would only shoot 500-600 yds.

The beauty of the .243 is that you don't need heavy match bullets to shoot to 500 or 600 yards.

Living in NJ the OP probably has the same problem I have here in OH. Not many places where I can shoot past 500 yards without the danger of hitting a building, people or livestock. The lighter bullets designed for varmint hunting are designed to disintegrate on contact reducing the chance of a ricochet.
 
I won't talk you out of a 243, as it's the best varmint gun out there as far as I'm concerned. I just had this one built this fall......

 
NJUSA ..... don't overlook a Tikka in that .243 ..... unless of course you don't like one-hole groups...
smile.gif
 
I have 6 different friends who shoot various 243's, and they all like the load I gave them. Deadly accurate and lots of knock down power, good long range rifle. The 70 grain Sierra Blitz King does not tear coyotes up bad, but it sure knocks them dead.
 
Back
Top