.243 good for long-range?

[LRP243Juicebox]

Would a lot of these stats carry over to a 6MM Creedmoor seeing how they have a lot of similar characteristics?

 

[LTH181818]

Would a lot of these stats carry over to a 6MM Creedmoor seeing how they have a lot of similar characteristics?

Yes

 

[WildRose]

Is the .243 a good round for long-range hunting deer-size game and 800-1,000 yard shooting? Can ballistic tables, drop cards and other shooting aids be found for the .243 round?
If so, what weight of .243 bullet is used for long-range shooting?

I'm looking to enter the long-range shooting world soon. I'm interested in the Savage Predator Series rifles. The Predator series might be the best bang for my buck.

Thanks! gun)

I've seen some ridiculous shots made on game with the .243 but in all honesty, Ballistically you're out of gas at 750.

You'd be much better off with something like the 6.5PRC or 6.5-300prc if you're really serious about shooting game beyond 600yds with a small, light, low recoiling round.

 

[WildRose]

In South Africa we're nervous in using any caliber under .30 Caliber for general hunting applications (even out to 100m).

I don't know if our game animals have a different degree of resilience considering their hide thickness or bone structure but we tend to follow the "more caliber is better" approach.

However, the .243 Winchester is a fine cartridge for hunting species such as Impala (rooibok), Blesbuck, Springbuck and Bushbuck (I suppose these are deer-sized - I'm not sure what a white-tail deer weighs out but these animals weigh out (dress carcass mass) at around 30kg for large male animals) and are tougher than one would think.

I have noted dramatic kill shots from the 243 and have shot species such as blackwildebeest and redhartebeest. They weigh out at around 60-70kg's and have a thick, tough hide with a heavy-set bone structure.

These kills were all effected with soft nose boat tail 100gr projectiles at around 2950fps out of a standard 22" barrel at ranges not exceeding 100m...

I think one has to be realistic when considering cartridge choice and we often say that the .243 Winchester is a fantastic, accurate and fast cartridge with great wound channel characteristics and is accordingly one of the most underestimated cartridges that there are, but also one of the most over-estimated by its owners.

I noted that on the larger game animals (both shoulder shots), the Hornady Interlock SPBT's separated in the gearbox and I removed shards of copper jacket from the lungs and lead separation resulted in a divergent wound channel and terrible soft tissue damage with devastating 3" wound channel.. Although furnishing me with dramatic kills, the penetration was poor and the high impact velocity on thick-muscled larger game animals is somewhat of a worry as it introduces that "what if it doesn't make it next time" element...

I wouldn't shoot at species larger than that and there are a few species here which are an absolute no-no for the 243, although some guys will differ:

1. Eland

2. Bluewildebeest

3. Kudu bull

4. Waterbuck.

That's just my opinion, but it's on an ethical basis... Is it a good idea to shoot if there is a "what if" factor in the back of your mind in respect of penetration and overall bullet performance (eg maintaining intended bullet course).

Just curious. How many of those .243 kills were over 500yds and what outfitter was letting you take those shots if any?

 

[WildRose]

morning, the US Army was experimenting with the 243, in custom made 243's

with drop magazines bolt guns. their r custom made 105-107gr. bullets that were

studied for use in long range shooting. I personally have had 5 243's. the newest is a

243AI. 28" shilen, 721rem. timmey, straight contour barrel and custom tuned action

and1-14 barrel. with this twist I have to shoot light weight bullets. the 77gr. Lapua

Seneau (SP) bullets. I have not had chance to shoot further than 175yrds. 5 shots

.380in. the 243 with the heavest of bullets can be used for long range kills, but

by a experienced shooter. gun)

The Army also dropped the 6mm's and moved towards the 6.5's and 6.8's.

Remember too that people are a lot less hardy than most medium sized game animals of equal weight.

 

[WildRose]

The .300 Win Mag is my go to chambering but I got my 1st .300 WSM (Savage 11 FCNS) a year ago and I am very impressed with it thus far.

Last year, got it's first harvest; MT 4x4 muley buck at 425 yards with Berger 215 at 2750 FPS at the muzzle.

Still really hard to beat the reliable old .300WM for an all around N. American Game Cartridge and you can find it on the shelf just about anywhere that has ammo to sell if you find yourself off on a trip without any.

The PRC will probably get there in a few years but it's more than half a century behind in getting established compared to the Winnie.

 

[CrankyYankee]

Older thread but.... External Ballistics are there with the right bullet. Terminal Ballistics will surely stir up debate.

John Whidden won Wimbeldon with a 243 a few years ago, but not much is needed to put a hole in paper.