.243 bullets

[Savagebien]

Hey, im going to start reloading soon for my .243 win and i want to get some advise about bullets. The barrel is 22 inches and has a 1 in 9.25 rate of twist. So, will the Sierra 100gr Spitzer Boat tail be a good choice with this barrel? I'm thinking it will be good for hunting deer here, and shooting out to 500 meters which is about as far as i will be going for a while. Are there any bullets i should particularly stay away from? Thanks!

[.280Rem]

Originally Posted by Savagebien

Hey, im going to start reloading soon for my .243 win and i want to get some advise about bullets. The barrel is 22 inches and has a 1 in 9.25 rate of twist. So, will the Sierra 100gr Spitzer Boat tail be a good choice with this barrel? I'm thinking it will be good for hunting deer here, and shooting out to 500 meters which is about as far as i will be going for a while. Are there any bullets i should particularly stay away from? Thanks!

Do you mean shooting targets or deer at 500 meters with a .243? After about 300 yards the .243 really doesn't have enough ft lbs of energy to do the job...and IF you're talking 500 meters, that's right at 600 yards.

For deer hunting, I've used the 100gr Hornady for years at around 3000fps, and it's been very good. I like the 95gr Partition too. Or maybe try one of the TSX's at 85grs really screaming down range at around 3250fps. For deer I wouldn't go lighter than 80-85grs.

[Savagebien]

I think 500 meters is 546 yards. I will be shooting at a range that has targets at 2-500 meters, so thats y i mentioned that, but hunting should be at less distances than that.

[Buffalobob]

The Speer 85 gr Spitzer BT has a BC of .404 which is pretty good for such a bullet. It will put down an eastern whitetail (150 #) very easily. Aways has a good expansion and always has a good exit wound.

[little black 243]

Last year I used my 243 to shoot a nice 4x5 mule deer buck. I used 90 gr sorrocco's(remington factory ammo). the buck was standing at 465 yards and it dropped within 20 yards. small entrance hole and a 1" or a little better exit hole.

[Savagebien]

very impressive, thats good news to hear!

[kstrick]

I like the 95 Gr. Ballistic Tip w/ 42.5 gr of RL 22 (go to Nosler.com). MOA groups at 100yds. My chrony was show 3300fps +/- 15fps.

Some say the .243 is not a good deer round...I disagree!!
I have 4 one shot kills with my .243. The longest was just over 200 yards. I am talking they did not take a step.
I think 500 yards may be pushing the .243 for deer sized targets.