Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Berger 243 87gr VLD Hunting Bullets

I have two Remington 700's, one 22" and one 24" barrel in 243. Remington says they are 1- 9.25 twist, I also have a Howa 1500 243 22" tube. Specs show as a 1-10 twist. Do any members here have experience with these rifles and their ability to stabilize the 87 Grain Berger VLD hunting bullet? Just thought someone may have some real world experience. Thank You

I believe Remington has used 9.125" twists in their barrels for a long time. Savage uses 9.25" twists in theirs. I know that either of these twists will stabilize far longer bullets than the 87 at around 3700 ft altitude, so you should be just fine shooting the 87 in your Remingtons. I don't know about the Howa. Berger's website has a twist rate calculator where you input the twist rate, pick a bullet, pick a speed, and define the atmospheric conditions, and it will tell you how stable the bullet is.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/

I was mistaken. I reread my email from Remington and it is in fact a 9 1/8. Thanks for the link. Much appreciated!

I have a Rem barrel that was a 243 now a 6mm-284. The twist stabilizes the 95 gr classic hunter just fine. Should you have issues getting the VLD to shoot you could always try the 95 as it is a hybrid ogive design that very likely to shoot well regardless of seating depth.

Stability is not an issue with them and that Remington twist. It will stabilize most 105’s. The Howa May or may not stabilize the 105gr Hornady HPBT, but the 87gr VLD’s are fine.

The only problem you may have is seating them out far enough to kiss the lands.

I would go with a Barnes TTSX, way better bullet in a 243. Just my opinion. That Berger will explode if it hits bone. I had a 140 in a 264 do that.

On your remington, have a gunsmith mill the magazine box out and install a Wyatt's mag box. This will give you another .120 in OAL!

As case capacity increases,relative stability increases as well...because stability is a function of gross RPM.

I've a few 6-284's.

Hint..................

I've used the Copper Creek 87 Grain VLD load from Copper Creek the last three years. I've taken about 20 deer with it here in NC. Works great with the High shoulder shot. I've had no problems.

However I'm using a BRowning BAR and a Bergara, both 1-10 twist.