Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 115gr Bullets in 243 Win

Folks, I am interested in getting a 243 Win (or 6mm Rem) to shoot 115gr bullets at deer. Before buying just any 243, I would like to benefit from the considerable experience her at the 'fire, from amateur and professional alike. Here are a few questions:

1- What ROT is required to stabilize 115gr bullets in a 243?
2- What kind of velocity can be expected with a pressure limit of 60kPSI?
3- Any load recommendations?
4- Any reports from actual experience is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

1. 7.5 to be sure, some get by with 8

2. 2923 using norma mrp in a 24 inch barrel

3 46gr of N560 coated DTacs

4. Great round for killing deer say within 800 yards my personal limit. I do not think any manufacturer sells a rifle that will do the job. It is going to take a custom. Go AI and you will probably never have to trim your brass.

I've used both 8 twists and 7.5 with DTAC's. Go 7.5 to be sure as Eddy said. I get anywhere from 2,950 on the low end with a 24in barrel and H4350 to over 3,100fps in a 27in barrel. 3,000fps is what I would expect.

I only use H4350 or H1000 as I don't like tempature sensitivity.


They kill well and I agree 800 is a good stooping point for terminal ballistics.

Thanks for the posts, gentlemen. Great information!

H4350 seems to be a universal performer. I use it, and have used it, in a lot of cartridges with great satisfaction. When I do get this rifle, I want to give some slower stuff a try as well, namely Retumbo. I have had excellent performance with that one in several cartridges, including 264 Win mag, 7mm Rem mag, 30-378 Wby mag, and 300 RUM. I understand the 243 Win and 6mm Rem cases are not as large, but they are quite large relative to the 6mm bore size, and the heavier 115gr slugs will likely benefit from the sustained pressure of the slower powder. If H1000 works well, as Formidilosis has said, then Retumbo should work at least as well, if not better. Another impetus for using Retumbo is that I have a supplyy of the stuff on the shelf leftover from my magnum phase.