.243 Win barrel twist rates and bullet weights.

[Bigtanker]

I recieved a Rossi single shot in .243 for a gift this year. Research shows it has a 1:10 twist. More research shows that is better for the lighter weight bullets, under 90 gr. I will probably be hunting deer with it this fall. Again, my findings suggest bullets over 100 gr for deer.

I have shot 100 gr Federal sp at 50 yards with good results but haven't stretched them out to 100 yds yet.

I have a box of Federal Fusion 95 gr I need to try also. The box says they are good for deer.

So I guess I'm asking about the lighest bullet weight for deer in .243 Win? Max range for this bullet if I do my part?

I will head to the range soon and test all ammo I have for accuracy but would like to hear your experiences first.

I am basically a n00b when it comes to high power rifle hunting. Previous deer hunting has always been a 12 gauge so any info will help.

Thanks.

 

[halfmileharry]

I have been using 80gr HPBTs since 89 with mine. I've made a clean kill on a Muley at well over 400 in Colorado and a couple over 300.
I know my rifle. IF I can see it... I can hit it.
You're looking at a great round. Very fast and flat. Speed Kills.

 

[Bigtanker]

I have been using 80gr HPBTs since 89 with mine. I've made a clean kill on a Muley at well over 400 in Colorado and a couple over 300.
I know my rifle. IF I can see it... I can hit it.
You're looking at a great round. Very fast and flat. Speed Kills.

Are these factory or hand loads?

 

[halfmileharry]

Are these factory or hand loads?

Hand loads but it shot ALMOST as tight with Federal Premium in the same weight.
34 gr 4064 CCI primers on once fired Federal Premium. Light end of the scale load. Old Lee cup loader system.
That load was recommended in an OLD reloading manual I had. It's the first load I worked up for accuracy and hunting. It shot so well I didn't experiment any farther with the loads.

 

[Bigtanker]

Here are my first groups with the 100 gr Federal softpoints @50 yards.

(This is the first Imgur upload for me too)

 

[Bigtanker]

Hand loads but it shot ALMOST as tight with Federal Premium in the same weight.
34 gr 4064 CCI primers on once fired Federal Premium. Light end of the scale load. Old Lee cup loader system.
That load was recommended in an OLD reloading manual I had. It's the first load I worked up for accuracy and hunting. It shot so well I didn't experiment any farther with the loads.

What rifle are you using and what is the twist rate of the barrel?

 

[halfmileharry]

I have a 1989 Model 70 featherweight 1 in 9 twist, laminated stock, out of the box stock rifle other than a very old Simmons Presidential 6.5x24x50.
I also have a Savage 110 I bought from an INGO buddy and it's not as accurate as the old Winchester. I think it's a 1 in 9 1/4 or something weird. I dont' think the rifle ever shot extremely well. I tried various ammo in it and never got better than 1 5/8" 5 shot groups at 100yds. And yes, I tinkered with all the little tried and true tweaks.

 

[Double T]

My stepdad won a Rossi .243 at the VFW shoot at Roush today. He immediately handed it to me. I have no idea about .243 other than where to buy ammo. Any pointers? It also came with a bushnell 4-12x40 on top. I'm pretty stoked. It also has a bull barrel.

 

[SSGSAD]

B T, I am no expert, but I don't think, that 5 gr., of bullet weight, will matter .....

Bullet construction, is most important, I think .....

If the groups, you shot are around 1", then go to 100 yards, and try again .....

JMHO, as good as you are with a handgun, if the groups, are around 2", you should be ok .....

JMHO ..... YMMV .....

 

[Bigtanker]

https://www.federalpremium.com/ammunition/rifle/family/fusion/fusion-rifle/f243fs1

This is what I kinda plan on using. I still have to get the rifle back to the range and see what I can do with it. I haven't spent much time behind the rifle yet, maybe 25 rounds.

 

[dugsagun]

barnes 80g ttsx bullets. Loaded in their ammo now too. I have used em out to 200yrds(as far as i can shoot to edge of woods from stand in Arkansas) I have used speer 85grainers in the past , but they did not exit lengthwise, the barnes will. For some reason my little bro always seems to get that heading straight towards me shot. The 243 on deer with a GOOD bullet, is AMAZING.Oh, and I load those for me , my bro ,my dad and my bud.

 

[sloughfoot]

I got that very same rifle within the last month. It shoots 87 grain softpoints very well. My reloads are running just under 3200 fps and are very affective on white tail. And lots of other critters too.

105's will not stabilize. They are sideways at 25 yards.

 

[Double T]

What weight for a 1:12?

 

[Bigtanker]

Good to hear I have some options.

 

[Bigtanker]

What weight for a 1:12?

I think that would be the real light stuff. 80 and under probably.

 

[sloughfoot]

What weight for a 1:12?

55 maybe 70. I did not know the .243 was ever offered with that slow a twist rate. 10 and 9 are common. 8 is needed for 115 bullets.

 

[halfmileharry]

I was wanting to work up some fast loads for the .243. Something in the 3,800fps range but never got around to it.
I ran a 6ppc over 3700 with decent accuracy. I tried some hotter loads but I could see a blue trail immediately through the glass.
I read some guys were getting right at 4000fps with special jacketed bullets.
I was just learning reloading then and didn't (still don't) know squat. I don't make up my own recipes. I only copy someone else's artwork.
For the record I seldom load anything now. Box ammo has come a long way in the last few years. I hunt mostly after I get a rifle sighted in.
I haven't had to touch the scope adjustments on my .243 Model 70 in at least 15 years.
Buy GOOD bases and rings. Not Wally World Weaver anymore.
Not only the gun will outshoot the shooter but so will the mounting and ammo.

 

[Bigtanker]

I was wanting to work up some fast loads for the .243. Something in the 3,800fps range but never got around to it.
I ran a 6ppc over 3700 with decent accuracy. I tried some hotter loads but I could see a blue trail immediately through the glass.
I read some guys were getting right at 4000fps with special jacketed bullets.
I was just learning reloading then and didn't (still don't) know squat. I don't make up my own recipes. I only copy someone else's artwork.
For the record I seldom load anything now. Box ammo has come a long way in the last few years. I hunt mostly after I get a rifle sighted in.
I haven't had to touch the scope adjustments on my .243 Model 70 in at least 15 years.
Buy GOOD bases and rings. Not Wally World Weaver anymore.
Not only the gun will outshoot the shooter but so will the mounting and ammo.

I've got Vortex rings and a Bushnell Banner scope. I never intended this to be a deer rifle as I thought I wouldn't have anywhere to hunt. If I had known that, I might have spent more $ on a better scope. I'll shoot this one a bunch more so I know what it and I are capable of.

 

[Dirty Steve]

Try the .95 GR Hornady SST. It has worked well for me on deer and and antelope from 10 yards out to 380 yards through a 1:10 26" tube.

Dirty Steve

 

[two70]

I recieved a Rossi single shot in .243 for a gift this year. Research shows it has a 1:10 twist. More research shows that is better for the lighter weight bullets, under 90 gr. I will probably be hunting deer with it this fall. Again, my findings suggest bullets over 100 gr for deer.

I have shot 100 gr Federal sp at 50 yards with good results but haven't stretched them out to 100 yds yet.

I have a box of Federal Fusion 95 gr I need to try also. The box says they are good for deer.

So I guess I'm asking about the lighest bullet weight for deer in .243 Win? Max range for this bullet if I do my part?

I will head to the range soon and test all ammo I have for accuracy but would like to hear your experiences first.

I am basically a n00b when it comes to high power rifle hunting. Previous deer hunting has always been a 12 gauge so any info will help.

Thanks.

When talking about what bullets will be stabilized by a given twist rate it is not about the weight of the bullet as much as it is about the length of the bullet. Of course weight tends to go up as length increases but some bullet designs produce longer bullets for a given weight than others. The best bet is to try a bunch of different quality bullets and see what shoots the best for you. One thing I will caution you on, is that bullet weight is a poor substitute for tougher bullet construction. Plenty of deer have been killed with a wide variety of bullet types and bullet weights from .243s when everything goes right but when things don't go quite right you can save yourself a lot of headache and heartache by using a tougher bullet. A premium bonded, or better yet mono-metal bullet is cheap insurance.