Best bullet for a Savage #10 .243 pred hunter

[Savage101]

My mind is going to explode, I'm new to this, and I understand it's practice, practice, practice. but I need a starting point. My rifle is a Savage model 10 predator Hunter Max 1 in .243 with a Vortex PST 4x16 FFP scope, it's got a 1:9.25 twist and a 24" barrel (probably not the best long range rifle, but I'm just starting out and it's all I can afford right now).

I've read about twist rates, bullet weights, bullet lengths etc. till my head is going to pop, it's all confusing, everytime I read something and have my mind set, I read another article that disputes it!.

I need a starting point, for a good accurate and EFFECTIVE factory bullet (I DON'T hand load yet, but maybe soon) for Coyote hunting out to 400+ yards. Don't necessarily want to blow them in half but don't want them running too far either (I understand bullet placement is a vital part of this equation)

Can any one recommend a bullet weight, type, manufacture and effective range for this barrel that I can at least start with? I was thinking of using a Barnes Vor-tx 80gn TTSX but now I'm not sure anymore.

Anyways, thanks in advance guys/girls hope to hear from someone...

 

[logan197]

I have that same rifle for coyotes. Unless savage changed the twist rate it is 1x9.25 not 1x12. Mine will shoot anything I want to feed threw it. My hand loads are 87 gr v-max with H4831sc. So just about any ammo you decide should work. Out to 400 yrds I would stay with the heavier bullets with the best BC. The Barnes bullet will definitely get the job done but better suited for deer sized game. But if that is what you can find to buy go for it. If you need anything else just pm me. Good luck.

 

[JOHNNIE WALKER]

I have the same rifle in 260 rem. I love it. But because I got the 260 I have to handload. There are so many choices for factory ammo in 243. Winchester Supreme Ballistic Silvertip is a great factory round. Hornady Custom also makes good factory ammo. If I have to shoot factory rounds in my other rifles, these are my two main choices. I've had a lot of success with both of these rounds. I would get a box of each and see which shoots better.

 

[Savage101]

Yes you are correct it's 9.25 sorry about that, made the correction to the OP.

 

[Bishop]

I have one of these rifles. I handload 80g ballistic tip varmint, works great consistant sub moa , usually sub 1/2 moa but i get the occasional flyer that ruins the groups. I load 95g nosler partitions for hogs and deer.

If i had to buy factory ammo for it, for coyote hunting, and i had a 400 yd requirement, i would start with ballistic tips and hope it shot those well. Pretty much ANY bullet out of a .243 of almost any weight will kill a coyote like thors hammer. The lighter bullets sre FAST and kill well, the heavier bullets avail are still quite fast and kill well. You cant really go wrong, start with some ballistic tips and go from there!

 

[dixiemagnum80]

I don't have this rifle but I do have a .243 winchester that loves factory Hornady 58gr v-max at 4000fps. I bought everything I needed to reload for it and never made a round. My first group after sighting in was .19"@ 100yds. Been a great coyote round for me.

 

[westcliffe01]

The first factory ammo I ran through my Savage 243 when it still had the factory barrel was Hornady Superformance 95gr SST. The barrel will stabilize the SST fine and being a ballistic tip it has reliable expansion on any game.

The BC of the SST is not as good as a 95gr or 105gr Berger, but the factory barrel will not shoot those anyway, both need an 8 twist to stabilize properly.

 

[logan197]

The 95 gr Sierra Matchking stabilizes just fine in mine. In fact it shoots lights out in it.

 

[SavageShtr]

I have two .243 Savages with 1:9.25 twist barrels. I am currently running the Sierra 100gr spbt game king's in the one, and trying the 95gr Berger Classic hunters in the other one.

 

[jw308]

I have a savage model 10, and it will shoot anything I put in it 1 moa or less. With hand loads it shoots hole in hole groups all day long! I don't think there is a "perfect" bullet. You will just have to try different bullets and loads to see what the rifle likes best. But the .243 is inherently accurate round. So it will be hard to go wrong with anything. IMO
Have fun gun)

 

[westcliffe01]

The softpoint bullets will stabilize fine but are not high BC. The 95gr Hunting bergers grouped bad in my factory 1:9.25 twist barrel. The Classic Hunter is made for a 1:10 barrel but does not perform quite as well as the 95gr VLD.

I have two .243 Savages with 1:9.25 twist barrels. I am currently running the Sierra 100gr spbt game king's in the one, and trying the 95gr Berger Classic hunters in the other one.