BEST SIZE BULLET FOR 243 with 1-9 twist
- Thread starter Wendyj
- Start date
I just picked up a Ruger American in 243. I had 2 boxes of factory 90 grain swift scirocco and a box of 100 grain power shok soft points. Been searching Midway and no luck but my older 243 really liked the Scirocco. Just ordered dies and trimmer. At least I'll have 40 pieces of brass. Maybe I'll find the Scirocco somewhere. Don't know what other bullet to compare it to. Guess I'll see this weekend which factory ammo it likes best. The Remington's were good for deer here in ga and varmints. Don't think it will stabilize anything smaller. Or that's what I read anyway.
mxsailor803
New member
I've had a lot of success with a Sierra ProHunter 100gr using 4064. Now I don't push my loads wide open either. In my Remington 788 and my uncles RAR .243, we could get both rifles to almost cloverleaf. It was close enough for us since we use both on deer, coyotes, and foxes. I know its over kill for the smaller game but we didn't want the pelts and just get rid of the predator population some.
I put a 12" twist barrel on a 6mmRem today and expect to shoot 85 gr SST, or 90 or 95 gr Ballistic tip. I ordered them all, and will let the targets sort them out. The stability calculator at the Berger site:
http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/
I experimented with 65 gr Vmax and 75 gr Vmax in 6mmBR with an old benchrest take off barrel in 14" twist.
I have never got a keyhole with a stability of 1.0, but I have with 0.75
http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/
I experimented with 65 gr Vmax and 75 gr Vmax in 6mmBR with an old benchrest take off barrel in 14" twist.
I have never got a keyhole with a stability of 1.0, but I have with 0.75
Hunter Customs
New member
In most of my rifles I've been more of a mid to heavy bullet fan, because in most cases that gives me the longer length bullets that I prefer.
That being said, I have two rifles in 243 caliber, both are Remington 700s.
One is a 20 inch barrel 700ADL and it shoots Sierra 85 gr Gameking bullets loaded with IMR 4350.
The other (my favorite) is an early model 700 BDL 24 inch heavy barrel varmint model and it shoots Nosler 95 gr Ballistic Tip bullets loaded with a compressed charge of IMR 4831.
I have tried lighter bullets in both rifles but never was pleased with the results.
That being said, I have two rifles in 243 caliber, both are Remington 700s.
One is a 20 inch barrel 700ADL and it shoots Sierra 85 gr Gameking bullets loaded with IMR 4350.
The other (my favorite) is an early model 700 BDL 24 inch heavy barrel varmint model and it shoots Nosler 95 gr Ballistic Tip bullets loaded with a compressed charge of IMR 4831.
I have tried lighter bullets in both rifles but never was pleased with the results.
I got some decent groups out of factory 100 and 90 grain today. All I could find in store was 87 vmax but they were cheap enough for me to try them. Maybe shoot some coyotes. Dies and trimmer came in today. Got some IMR 4831 I use in 7 mag. Some IMR 4064 I use in 308. Varget and some Reloader 15. Will get some Sierra game King 100 grain Tuesday. Tried to find some 95 Berger Hollow points to order but Midway is back ordered with none in sight.
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pctechdude
New member
I use the 95 sierra hp match kings. My load is 39.5gr H4350, winchester brass, winchester large rifle primers and seated to 2.790" this is just enough to feed from the internal box magazine of my Rem. 700. Shoots a 0.273 group at 100.
Chronographed velocity was 2930 fps
I also use the 95gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. 42gr H4350 Max charge per Hodgdon's manual. Normally I find the accuracy node well before max, however these in my gun found a 0.288" 5 shot group at the 42gr. Same winchester brass and primers. seated to 2.650"
chronographed velocity was 3215 fps
The sierra load has been insanely accurate even at longer distances. Groundhog met its fate at 410+ yards.
Chronographed velocity was 2930 fps
I also use the 95gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. 42gr H4350 Max charge per Hodgdon's manual. Normally I find the accuracy node well before max, however these in my gun found a 0.288" 5 shot group at the 42gr. Same winchester brass and primers. seated to 2.650"
chronographed velocity was 3215 fps
The sierra load has been insanely accurate even at longer distances. Groundhog met its fate at 410+ yards.
Is your Rem a 9 twist? I see lots of loads in other twists. There is a lot of bullets in same weights not going to work with this twist as I am informed by Berger twist calculater. I'm a Nosler and Sierra fan but I'm wanting to shoot hunting bullets. Varmit or deer. Bought 100 87 grain v max and loaded up about 15 or so. Berger shows I need 7 twist for these. Paper will tell but I'm not going to load anymore of them until I find out if it will stabilize in this twist. Not what I wanted to buy. Just all they had. Looking and hoping for 95 to 100 grain to work. As you can see from picture factory power shok in 100 did great but that's factory load.
Some time ago I picked up a Savage Model 14 i n.243. Definitely a "sporter" contour barrel, with a 9.25" twist. However, I've found the thing amazingly accurate, keeping slugs from as light as 60 grains to as heavy as 107 grain Sierras within 1 MOA, at least so long as you give the barrel a little time to cool.
My load experimentation isn't over yet (there is some doubt it will ever be!), but so far the biggest variable affecting accuracy has been seating depth. I've had great luck with IMR3031, Varget, IMR4064 and Reloder 15.
My load experimentation isn't over yet (there is some doubt it will ever be!), but so far the biggest variable affecting accuracy has been seating depth. I've had great luck with IMR3031, Varget, IMR4064 and Reloder 15.