Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Best 243 Bullet

105 HPBT and 43-44gr 4350, Lap brass and Fed210.

I use the 105 HPBT over 47.0 Gr 7828 SSC, or the same in RL-22, with fire-formed Winchester brass. This in a 8" twisted barrel.

I keep the data from a thread a while back with lots of suggestions, like 41.5 RL-17 under the 105 HPBT, or Calvin's load of 48 grains of RL-22 under the same.

I know Tanner was working up loads in this rifle using RL-17, but since the 7828 SSC is shooting 1/2" groups at 100 yards, I haven't experimented much.

I may play with RL-17 once my supply of 7828 SSC runs out, if for no other reason than I have an 8 lb keg of it.

I use the 105 HPBT over 42.0 of RL-17, lapua brass, cci 200 primers in my 243 AI--deadly.

This load for .243 or .243ai? If .243 will it stabilize in 9 twist?

AI.

In the SAAMI version you want 41-41.5gr. And yes it will.

Thanks, Jordan

IMR or H4350?

Either. I’ve used both

I shoot a 243 AI 10 twist with RL 19 and 47grs, Shoots everything from 85 gr Gamekings, 85 partitions, 87 gr Hornadys, 95 gr Bergers all into .5 MOA providing I do my part. I have also shot some 103 gr customs into small groups. Just finished shooting some 100 gr partitions into just less than 1". figured I didn't need to keep shooting just put them up until deer season. Good luck

The 85gr and the 87gr vmax shoot so close to the same POI out of my 243 AI that I don’t bother adjusting the scope when swapping between rounds. Simple is good!

I like the 95gr btip and 95gr Berger classic. They both stabilize out of my Sako a7 with a 10twist. The hornady 100gr btsp punched oval holes and did not stabilize. This is a 243 that was AI punched and loaded hot with Lapua brass.

Every 243 I've owned shoots the 95 BTip lights out. And for hitting steel at 600 yards...its a pretty good bullet. For killing stuff...its a great bullet.

Further than that, and it wouldn't hurt to hunt down some extra BC.

I've killed about ten NC whitetails with the 87 grain VLD outta my BAR .243. I can't tell any difference between it's performance and the 6.5 creedmoor with 130 grain VLD . That's shooting them high in the shoulder. They go down immediately!

The Berger 95 Grain Classic Hunter should work in a 1-10 even though Berger says 1-9 is optimal. The Hunter has more conventional ogive than the VLDs so they fit the magazine and are more seating tolerant. I have not shot any game with them yet. Berger says 1-9 for the 87 VLD but usually 1-10 shoots then fine.

If I could have only one bullet to use in the 243, it would be the 85 grain Sierra HP. It has been the bullet that I've loaded and shot the most, and I've yet to try it in a 243 that didn't shoot it very accurately. While not the best choice in the 243 for deer, it will do the job, and do it very nicely. As a varmint bullet, it will absolutely ruin a coyote's day.

I don't use this bullet as much as I used to, as I've started using the 95 grain BT's for deer, and 58-70 grain bullets for coyotes. But, for a bullet that is accurate, and will handle different applications, the Sierra is hard to beat.

I think a lot of BT's fit that description, including the 120 grain 7 mm and the 150.

I shoot Ballistic tips in over 20 rifles. All of them shoot Ballistic tips really well. 243 up to 338 Win Mag. I really like the different color tips!

High shoulder don't prove much. I've shot a bunch high shoulder and every one dropped instantly no matter what cartridge and bullet, including .223 with 55 grain Hornady sp..

I must agree with Blackheart.. High shoulder shots prove nothing..

Hahaha! That's what makes this forum great.

It sure does.