.243 with 9-1/4 twist barrel

[cowboy]

I have decided to try a savage after hearing all the good things about them the last few years. I need a mid cal. rifle for long range practice and coyotes when the wind is blowing - and it always blows on the prairie here in Montana. I know I should just buy the rifle and screw a 1-8 twist barrel on it and be done with it but I want to see for myself what a stock savage will do. I would appreciate any experience anyone has had on how heavy a bullet I should be able to stabilize with a factory 9-1/4 twist .243 barrel and any personal experiences or thoughts. There is another motive here in that I only own little rifles and big rifles and have a grandson that will need his first deer rifle. Thanks for your thoughts. HERE'S HOPING ALL THE MOTHERS OF LRH HAD A GREAT DAY TODAY.

 

[mike33]

The best thing i have found was the sierra 85 bthp. I can't get the berger 95's to work that well. I have a rem 9 1/8 also for that reason of practice.
Mike

 

[DannoBoone]

I got the VLP in .243 last year. Every time I've had a chance to attempt load
development, the wind has been blowing harder than the forecast had
stated......X-wind at that!

Even at that, have gotten a few half inch groups (mainly with lighter Sierra's).
Last time out, I had to zero a new scope and at 50yds, it put two A-max 105's
through the same hole, so hopefully, this one will stabilize the heavies with
the 9-1/4 twist.

 

[MachV]

There are 4 243 Savage barrels in the safe (2x10 twists , a flutted 9.25 and a 9.25 twist sporter) The 10 twist shoot the 55 grain Noslers great to 400 yards but the wind blowes them arond.
The 105 grain Amaxes work good in both 9.25 barrrels past 500 yards and in the wind. Makes for a lot less recoil,cheaper to shoot and more fun than the bigger rounds.

 

[cowboy]

The 105 grain Amaxes work good in both 9.25 barrrels past 500 yards and in the wind. Makes for a lot less recoil,cheaper to shoot and more fun than the bigger rounds.

MachV - Thanks for the input - I'd be plumb happy if a 9-1/4 twist would handle 105 Amax's. Hopefully I can use them to get out to 6-800 for practice. Having 4 of the .243's - would you have any suggestions on what to start with on powder and primers etc. Thanks again - I think I'm going to pick up a Savage as soon as I can locate one with this info.

 

[Beelzebub]

MachV - Thanks for the input - I'd be plumb happy if a 9-1/4 twist would handle 105 Amax's. Hopefully I can use them to get out to 6-800 for practice. Having 4 of the .243's - would you have any suggestions on what to start with on powder and primers etc. Thanks again - I think I'm going to pick up a Savage as soon as I can locate one with this info.

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Remington 700 VLS 243 Winchester 9.125:1 twist 26" Varmint Barel

Hornady 105 AMAX 45.5/IMR7828 COAL 2.795" 3 shot gp @ 100 yds 0.211"
Devastating on deer and dogs at 400+

Speer 85 BTSP 37.0/IMR4064 COAL 2.635" 3 shot gp @ 100 yards 0.345"
Also deady on deer and dogs

Speer 85 BTSp 38.5/IMR4064 COAL 2.635" 3 shot gp @ 100 yards 0.418"
also @ 300 yds 3hots = overlapping splatter

Sierra 100 BTSP 35.5/IMR3031 COAL 2.620 3 shot gp @ 100 yards 0.363"
gps shot with Model 70 Carbine and Remington Model 7 Unbelievable devastating load for medium deer. Have killed over 70 deer with this bullet in my Model 70 and Model 7. Most have dropped in their tracks. Never have I had to look more than 45-50 yards for a dead deer.

I'm not responsible for any of the load data above used in your guns.

Shoot straight, or shoot often.

Beelzebub

 

[roninflag]

i have killed a lot of deer and atelope with the a sako .243 (1-10) twist. i used mostly an 85 bthp for everything ( deer/coyotes/crows) . i also shot some with a 100 horn and 95 partition. the weight and bc is better on those. the 105 amx and 95 berger was not available then . you can try them . i KNOW the three i used above are accurate and deadly. 250 coyotes and 20+ deer.

 

[mcseal2]

I have a Savage 11BTH 243 with a 1 in 9.25 twist factory thumbhole stock for sale on gunbroker. It shoots very well with 100gr Sierra gameking bullets at 2900fps with IMR4831 powder. I haven't tried the lighter bullets but I have decided to sell it to put a 24" 6mm barrel on my old custom 243 to get a little more velocity. I like the accuracy, but it doesn't match my Leupold VH reticle as well as I'd like at 2900fps with the heavy bullets I want to use.

 

[RonD 2024]

I have decided to try a savage after hearing all the good things about them the last few years. I need a mid cal. rifle for long range practice and coyotes when the wind is blowing - and it always blows on the prairie here in Montana. I know I should just buy the rifle and screw a 1-8 twist barrel on it and be done with it but I want to see for myself what a stock savage will do. I would appreciate any experience anyone has had on how heavy a bullet I should be able to stabilize with a factory 9-1/4 twist .243 barrel and any personal experiences or thoughts. There is another motive here in that I only own little rifles and big rifles and have a grandson that will need his first deer rifle. Thanks for your thoughts. HERE'S HOPING ALL THE MOTHERS OF LRH HAD A GREAT DAY TODAY.

I hope you enjoy the savage and twist rate ! I am extremely happy with mine with any 100 grain bullets that I've tried

 

[coop2564]

Go to Berger web site and use their calculator, works for any bullet. Just need its length.

 

[gohring3006]

I gave up on anything heavier than 85 grains in my savage, I shoot at 800 ASL Depending on your elevation and temperature, you may get heavies to shoot.

 

[Scott E Ames]

I wonder if that Savage barrel is worn out now after 12 years???

 

[snox801]

I've had great luck with the nosler 90-95 bt
Hornady 85 interbond and more recently moved to the hammer 69-70gr bullets. The extra speed make them a laser beam. Greta for hunting but not sure how they would work past 500 yards. Definitely a bit expensive to shoot at steel.