The perfect factory calling rifle in 243 1:10 or 1:12 twist - what is it?

varmint308

varmint308

New member
I am getting ready to purchase a 243 bolt rifle, and haven't made my mind up yet. I know I want to shoot 58 gr vmax Hornady factory loads, so would think a 1:10 or 1:12 twist would be optimal.

I prefer a little heavier barrel, but not a boat anchor.

Any recommendations?
 
So many good .243 rifles out there! Personal preference is going to be the main thing here. And either the 1/10" or the 1/12" twist would be fine with the 58 grain Vmax. You might want to go with the bit tighter twist though if you ever want to shoot any heavier bullets than that. My .243 AI has a 1/10" tube on it and it shoots all weights up to the 87 grain Vmax (never tried anything heavier) super good.
 
I don't think anyone is building a factory 243 with a 10-12 twist as most shooters want to be able to shoot longer heavier bullets also. That said I doubt you will lose much if any by going to a faster twist, it's not like you getting down in the 7's.

A slightly heavier barrel set up for predator hunting, the Sav. Modl 10 Predator would be a good choice. Every year they've had one at the PM Hunt I put all my raffle tickets in on it, no luck yet. I did set my hunting partner up with a Rem 700 ADL in 243 that he likes it shot 55 and 58 gr bullets very accurately.
 
I am finding that Browning, CZ, Howa, Weather by and Winchester makes some 1:10 models. Ruger, Savage and Remington are all 9.25 to 9.
 
I learn something new every day, I never looked past the big three.. Kinda looks like you answered your own question. You just need to find the one that feels the best to you.
 
Tikka is also a 10 twist and what I am now shooting for predators (This may have changed with the t3x). Have only tried a couple kinds of ammo so far, but it is moa with cheap 80 gr federal SP, which is probably what I will stick with since I like the price and they sell it at walmart.
 
I have a custom 700 Rem 243 with a 1-12 twist. it shoots dots with 70gr Ballistic tips and kills coyotes like a lazer( I don't have a lazer so really don't know but it sounds cool) I don't want to shoot the heavy bullets so I love it.
MB
 
I think this is really a bullet based decision. I just went through this from the other direction.... Had the gun so needed to find the right bullet and load.... 6mm BR, 1:12.

It likes the lighter stuff up to about 77 gr. so far that I have tried. It key holed Lapua 90 gr at 50 yards..... Darn.... thats not what I said but you get the idea. I am getting scary good 3 shot or 2 shot groups at 200 with both the Lapua 77 gr and the Hornady 75 gr bullets both at about 3100 fps.

If you are never going to go above 75-77 gr then a 1:12 or 1:10 will kick butt, however, if ya want to go heavier (longer) I would suggest you try for a 1:9. It will still shoot the lighter bullets you just have to be cognizant of the jackets as too much speed on a light jacket bullet in a fast twist can result in problems.

Just my thoughts.

 
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I have a Savage with a 1 in 9.25 twist and the 58 grain Vmax are nothing short of magic when it comes to accuracy. As far as being fur friendly goes.......entirely different story. Under 200 yards gets REAL messy. If I had to choose between 1 in 10 or 1 in 12.....I would definitely go with the 10 so I had the option of shooting heavier bullets. Haven't paid much attention but I don't recall ever seeing many factory 243s in a 12 twist.
 
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My savage has a 9.25 twist and shoots 105 smk, 87 vmax, and currently shooting 55gr nosler varmageddon lights out. All under 1/2 inch at 100 yards
 
Originally Posted By: savageyote94My savage has a 9.25 twist and shoots 105 smk, 87 vmax, and currently shooting 55gr nosler varmageddon lights out. All under 1/2 inch at 100 yards

Exactly what I was getting at. A faster twist, in that caliber, seems to shoot the lighter stuff extremely well, so I would rather have a faster twist to also have the option to run heavier stuff should you ever want to. I love the 70 grain NBTs for coyotes. As long as shot placement is good......almost no damage and rarely an exit.
 
It surprised me at how well it shoots the 55s because of the way it shot the 105s. I wanted to try some 70gr noslers but couldn't find them local and landed on the 55s. I despise the look of a savage, but the looks dont shoot small groups
 
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I have a custom barrel in .243, 22" 1:12 twist 6 groove that shoots factory 58gr VMax very well. Ive tried 75gr and also 90gr with great results out to 300yds so far. Under .5 MOA at 100yds
 
I decided on a Browning X-bolt Varmint Stalker, mossy oak brush. It has a 1:10 barrell and should fit the bill for what I am wanting to accomplish and it should be nice to carry at 6 lbs 15 oz. Thanks for the input guys.
 
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