Thread: .243 for 500m shots

One of these

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I remember reading an article many years ago which basically said don't go by energy alone. The author talked about momentum as being the biggest factor in how a bullet penetrates and performs [construction would be in there now as it's improved over the years]. I think its the combination of twist, bore size, and speed[ probably other things I can't remember but you get the point]. He finished his article by saying a 220 swift and a 4570 have approximately 1000lbs of energy at the muzzle and if you were facing a charging cape buff what would you rather have in your hands? Food for thought once the range starts getting out there

Originally Posted by r87mm

I remember reading an article many years ago which basically said don't go by energy alone. The author talked about momentum as being the biggest factor in how a bullet penetrates and performs [construction would be in there now as it's improved over the years]. I think its the combination of twist, bore size, and speed[ probably other things I can't remember but you get the point]. He finished his article by saying a 220 swift and a 4570 have approximately 1000lbs of energy at the muzzle and if you were facing a charging cape buff what would you rather have in your hands? Food for thought once the range starts getting out there

And if you wanted to take out something a little smaller at 300yds what would rather have?
I read somewhere once "the only people that cant kill things with a 243 are gun writers".

As was mentioned before I think, energy ftlbs, joules etc isnt the full story its how that energy is dissipated on impact, either instantly as a big explody skin pop, or in a controlled fashion as the bullet travels through the target. So bullet design is a vital component in how far you can shoot as well.

Just switching from photobucket to flickr so this might work? it should be a 400+ yd shot with said 243ai .or my fat fingers and lack of tecno ability could well turn it into a cluster.


https://www.flickr.com/gp/154727983@N04/hj462V

@ sneeze nice shot, what pill you spitting out and what speed?

Originally Posted by Timmay

@ sneeze nice shot, what pill you spitting out and what speed?

Im sure youve just made @R93 and @gadgetman s day. Bullet is 105vld hunting, velocity is 3170ish according to the labradar.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

I don't think of you each time I use the word, ... honest.

Actually a good example of the importance of punctuation. Though either with or without could be argued in my case.

Bullet diameter has a lot to do with killing power as well, not just speed and weight. That's why the big 338's are excellent long range shooters.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

Bullet diameter has a lot to do with killing power as well, not just speed and weight. That's why the big 338's are excellent long range shooters.

Yip as @veitnamcam says, the more sunlight you let in the better

I dont think anyone will argue that a 243 win is better than a 338. I like my 338 Norma a lot and obviously its first call for genuine long range but the little 243ai is a lot easier to carry, shoot, load for and in the right conditions its very effective. Not for beginners but 500yds isnt for beginners with any cartridge.
But really the OP was asking a specific question and wasn't trying to start a which is best thread.

I'd go for the 4570. Let's face it at 300;yards on a smaller animal with a .243 job done. Now throwing a brick that far and expecting to hit it well that's a whole different story. Not against 243's as they are good and as much as most hunters need to be fair. Had one and liked it and seen a lot used to good effect. Also shot a big stag at a bit over 600 yards with a 270 wsm and 130's. It went down slowly even with a couple of shots in it in the right place. It didn't run but when approached it did get up and ran with another put in at close range. It didn't go far. Point is if I was using 150 gns I'm sure it would have been a different story as they exit animals where the lighter wouldn't and hit harder. Hadn't starting using them then but it was the catalyst
I see what he wants to do and yes a .243 will do it but not on every animal. The biggest factor here is surely what to take and what to leave alone or get closer if possible same as 222/223 users. It's not the skill in hitting the target but the skill in deciding whether it's on in the first place

Well my 2 cents worth as a 243 shooter.
My bolt action has a 1:8 twist and staying inside the max from the tables I throw a Berger 105 at 3020 fps which gives me 1000 ftlb at 500 mths. I have not shot a red with this and doubt I will as I have not got it to group. However at 200 mtrs it's too much bullet for goats. Massive exit wounds even on quartering shoots.
So for the OP I was going to suggest the Berger 95gr as it should work in a factory twist.

Using the Berger 87 gr I have shot a number of goats out to 440 mtr, fallow to 260 mtr but all the reds have been at less tha 100 mtr. My experiance suggest this bullet is at its best on game up to fallow size as the bullet does not have the same penitration that the 105 gr one does.
Most of the goats and red deer were shoot using the 87 gr Berger out of a factory barrelled Sav 99 using loads aprox 2gr under max.
Zane

Recently bought some RL26 and tried in my 7mm WSM with good results. Figured it may be worth a try in the .243. Found a formula to try and finished up at 48 gr RL 26 behind a Speer 100 gr SPBT with .430 BC at 3125 fps average. At 400 yds I have several 3 shot groups of 2.8 down to 2.2 inches, and one at 1.5. Rifle is a Tikka M55 fitted with a 23" Sako sporter profile barrel with twist rate that I have never checked, probably 1:10. Velocity and energy at 400 yds should be around 2283 fps and 1157 ft/lb respectively. At 500 yds 2096 fps and 975 ft lb; so not bad for what is a true hunting projectile with just an average BC, other projectiles out there with much better BC than this. Incidentally according to drop and measured velocity the BC appeared very close to the claimed figure. Haven't shot any deer with it yet but would be optimistic about it working fine in the right situation on Reds out to 500 yds, have seen plenty die with less being thrown at them than this. As with all loads start lower down and work up.

That's a good speed 38 south. I'm using reloder 23 in a 7saum and it too generates good speeds. Like you I reckon 500 would be on with your 243 load. As long as there's little wind and you plonk the bullet in the middle of the shoulder it should be job done.

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread. On reflection it appears that with an appropriately twisted .243 shooting 100gr+ .5+ BC projectiles 450m is probably the limit of what one expect on small to medium deer .i.e no big Reds at 450m in the roar (use on small-med deer was my intention and I should have put that in my OP)