243 1:10 Heaviest Bullet?

Bullet bumper said:

velocity and energy don't matter ????

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That's not what I mean't. Terminal ballistics matters, but rationally sufficient here is covered with a lot of cartridges and bullets. Many of which are difficult to employ accurately at distance, and when you hit that limit you're done.

David & Goliath
At 500yds, I would rather a single brain shot with a 223Rem, than an *** shot with a 50BMG.
Neither is ideal. But you know, I could drop a moose or a grizzly with a same broadside smack to the temple. Hydraulic shock will knock em out, shards of bone in their brains, they won't get back up. Not even a death kick.
I know this first hand with deer, so I know a 243Win is in no way deficit -provided it's accurate enough. That's the prerequisite attribute, and it's applied for thousands of years in human history.

Our small smart weapons will continue to evolve, and this is ideal for LR hunting.
With my tiny 6.5wssm Imp/139Laps(equivalent to 260AI), I could drop any large game in North America, with one cold shot. Something smaller, a 6.5x47L/130VLDs, or 6BR/95VLDs, would work just fine for whitetails out to ~500-600yds. And if you can't get that close, then just don't shoot until you do.
If you're accuracy breaches killzone closer, then go to your capability. That's smart hunting.

Bullet bumper said:

velocity and energy don't matter ????

Click to expand...

That's not what I mean't. Terminal ballistics matters, but rationally sufficient here is covered with a lot of cartridges and bullets. Many of which are difficult to employ accurately at distance, and when you hit that limit you're really done. Out of power..

David & Goliath
At 500yds, I would rather a single brain shot with a 223Rem, than an *** shot with a 50BMG.
Neither is ideal. But you know, I could drop a moose or a grizzly with a same broadside smack to the temple. Hydraulic shock will knock em out, shards of bone in their brains, they won't get back up. Not even a death kick.
I know this first hand with deer, so I know a 243Win is in no way deficit -provided it's accurate enough. That's the prerequisite attribute, and it's applied for thousands of years in human history.

Our small smart weapons will continue to evolve, and this is ideal for LR hunting.
With my tiny 6.5wssm Imp/139Laps(equivalent to 260AI), I could drop any large game in North America, with one cold shot. Something smaller, a 6.5x47L/130VLDs, or 6BR/95VLDs, would work just fine for whitetails out to ~500-600yds. And if you can't get that close, then just don't shoot until you do.
If you're accuracy breaches killzone closer, then go to your capability. That's smart hunting.

Zerk said:

I was under the impression that most people felt 100 plus or minus, was the accpeted deer bullet for 243. Which to me, doesn't get you faster 30-06 150 grain. So why bother?

To me, if you are not getting over 3k fps for deer hunting, you might as well you use 30-06 150 or 180, or 7mm. Myself, I look at the smaller bullets to get more speed.

Maybe I am ignorant of BC and maybe 243 retains energy longer, I dunno.

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Not sure where you are getting your information. There is no shortage of book data for .243 Win with 95 and 100 grain bullets (that are suitable for a 10 twist) @ 3100-3200+. Of course, a 10 twist is not able to utilize the high bc offerings in this weight range, but there is enough bullet weight and velocity available to easily be effective to 400 yards on a deer sized critter, using run-of-the-mill bullets like the 95 SST and 100 Partition.

Nothing wrong with a 30-06/150 for deer, but there are plenty of lesser combinations that will do the job easily and cleanly. Why the .243? The original rationale was for a varmint rifle with enough versatility to also be a legitimate deer/pronghorn rifle (a niche previously occupied by the .257 Roberts). These days, though, I suspect most people who elect to hunt with the .243 do so because of its low recoil and the ability to house it in lighter, more compact rifles.

benchracer said:

Not sure where you are getting your information. There is no shortage of book data for .243 Win with 95 and 100 grain bullets (that are suitable for a 10 twist) @ 3100-3200+. s.

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Lyman 50th less than 3k and hornady 9th, just gives 3k as peak.

There are probably books out there, but these are two common manuals.

People probably exceed the manuals and get higher, but you could do the same with a 30 caliber too.

I have found speer 90 that peaks at 3175 and nosler 95/100 that peaks at 3144. Most data under 3k though. But there is published data over 3k, as you say.

But I still ask, why not just use a 150 grain 30-06? Most of us here, I suspect own more then one rifle. If you are looking for just one, than maybe 243 I have wondered what 100 grn 30-06 would do to a coyote, compared to 243. Would the whole be a lot bigger?

Hodgdon Data shows data for 7 different powders that exceed 3100 with a 95 grain bullet and two different powders with a 100 grain bullet:

Take Aim at Rifle Reloading Data | Hodgdon Reloading


Alliant Data shows 5 different loads with three different 100 grain bullets that exceed 3100 fps:

Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide


That's 14 book loads, using 95-100 grain bullets, that exceed 3100, two of which exceed 3200. Took longer to type this and provide links than it did to find the info in the first place. Number of higher than book loads cited: 0.00000000...

Zerk said:

But I still ask, why not just use a 150 grain 30-06? Most of us here, I suspect own more then one rifle. If you are looking for just one, than maybe 243 I have wondered what 100 grn 30-06 would do to a coyote, compared to 243. Would the whole be a lot bigger?

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Perhaps you missed this earlier:

Nothing wrong with a 30-06/150 for deer, but there are plenty of lesser combinations that will do the job easily and cleanly. Why the .243? The original rationale was for a varmint rifle with enough versatility to also be a legitimate deer/pronghorn rifle (a niche previously occupied by the .257 Roberts). These days, though, I suspect most people who elect to hunt with the .243 do so because of its low recoil and the ability to house it in lighter, more compact rifles.

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Epee said:

Thank you jfseaman!

Yeah I have a call into Steyr about a new barrel. Dang I just may have to build a new rifle.

I'm below sea level where I live. Imperial Valley. We always say God didn't forget Imperial Valley, he hated the place. It was 119 degrees here today.

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Oh. We were 100 down from 110 yesterday.

Caring for the "farm" in the heat means no range time.

benchracer said:

Hodgdon Data shows data for 7 different powders that exceed 3100 with a 95 grain bullet and two different powders with a 100 grain bullet:

Take Aim at Rifle Reloading Data | Hodgdon Reloading

Number of higher than book loads cited: 0.00000000...

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I've never seen a manual cite higher than book loads.
After my first post saying Hornady, which uses Hogdon data, I thought, and Lymann, lacking, I did post manufacturers that cite it.

Which is interesting, reloading manuals don't, but the people who sell the powder say it can. Though I will take them at their word, what they are trying to sell does it.

Hogdon also lists 110 grain 30-06, for over 3400. I am curious if there is a disadvantage to going with 30-06, if you want light and fast. Maybe to big of exit hole if you want hide. 243 is on higher side taking pelts too, according to some, but not others.


I don't load 110 on my 30-06s, just cause I like leaving my scopes set and ready for deer hunting.


I do enjoy shooting my 243. It is actually heavier than my 30-06s, with a medium barrel.

I am working on 100 grain loads for deer, to have as a back up, or extra gun.

benchracer said:

e ability to house it in lighter, more compact rifles.

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This makes sense. With moderns materials you got some light bigger guns. Remington is not making it in their mountain gun, but all calibers are 6.5.


You can't have to many guns.

The big arguement I would think, is you can get a varmit pushing 4000 fps out it, and use it for deer if you want to in heavier grain.

As a deer gun, its opinion varies alot. Some say you need nothing more than that. Than some same neck shots or anchoring shots in the shoulder.

I have no doubt a shot through the lungs will do the trick.

Interesting Lymann 47th has some tables with what bullet is good on what lb game to what yard. Obviously conjecture, but it lists 243 as better than 30-30. 243 is alot faster, though lighter.