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Old 11-04-2010, 01:26 PM
Duramaximos Duramaximos is offline
 
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Default 243 Ballistics

I’ve been researching ballistics for the 243 and I’m quite impressed with the results from several 85-90 gr bullets with BC between .375 and .410.
I think the sweet spot for speed, energy and trajectory lies between 85 and 95. Some of the super high BC 110gr+ bullets are very good at long ranges but I’m not shooting long range game, so I omitted these from consideration.

So my question is, is it practical to achieve 3100fps from a 85gr bullet in the 243?
I’ve seen several references that show 3100fps at near max loads, but I’m looking for real world opinions. How fast are you safely driving your 85gr 243???

Thanks.
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  #2  
Old 11-04-2010, 01:34 PM
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whitetail Junkie whitetail Junkie is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Duramaximos View Post
I’ve been researching ballistics for the 243 and I’m quite impressed with the results from several 85-90 gr bullets with BC between .375 and .410.
I think the sweet spot for speed, energy and trajectory lies between 85 and 95. Some of the super high BC 110gr+ bullets are very good at long ranges but I’m not shooting long range game, so I omitted these from consideration.

So my question is, is it practical to achieve 3100fps from a 85gr bullet in the 243?
I’ve seen several references that show 3100fps at near max loads, but I’m looking for real world opinions. How fast are you safely driving your 85gr 243???

Thanks.
I shoot a 240WBY mag,which is basically the same as the 243win & the 6mm Rem,except for abit more velocity,and I 100% agree with you that the 85 Grain Bullets are the sweet spot for energy&speed.

I will be useing 85 grain nosler partitions this fall for deer hunting,my dad shot a antelope at 350 yards with my 240 last month useing the 85 grain nosler bullet.He shot the goat in the chest and the bullet came out the animals rear end!!!!

My 240 wby has a 24" Barrel and it shoots a 85 grain bullet at 3450'. as per our crohny.your 243 win should zing them over 3200' with a 85 grain!! Check the nosler book out!
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Old 11-04-2010, 05:08 PM
Sneeze Sneeze is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Duramaximos View Post
I’ve been researching ballistics for the 243 and I’m quite impressed with the results from several 85-90 gr bullets with BC between .375 and .410.
I think the sweet spot for speed, energy and trajectory lies between 85 and 95. Some of the super high BC 110gr+ bullets are very good at long ranges but I’m not shooting long range game, so I omitted these from consideration.

So my question is, is it practical to achieve 3100fps from a 85gr bullet in the 243?
I’ve seen several references that show 3100fps at near max loads, but I’m looking for real world opinions. How fast are you safely driving your 85gr 243???

Thanks.
I would create a bunch of different loads that increase in powder quantity. Push it until you start seeing pressure. When you start seeing pressure, you will know how fast you can safely drive an 85 grain bullet in your firearm, at that elevation, with that air temperature & that pressure.

My 243 loves 55 grain bullets. Sends them 3750 fps. If I increase the load by 1 grain of powder I start blowing out primers. Its strange because my reloading manual says I am 3 grains off max.

Every gun is different.

Hope this helped.
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  #4  
Old 11-05-2010, 02:50 PM
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dollman dollman is offline
 
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Default 243 ballistics

i have been using 87grn v max for red fox using blc2 34.5 grns they were going about 3100 esh, but now i am using 70 grn s blitz kings with h414 45.5 grns and they going 3400 fps in my rem 700 bdl lux ,all reloaded with rem bass and rem 91/2 lr pimers much better for red fox atb steve
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  #5  
Old 11-05-2010, 07:56 PM
Duramaximos Duramaximos is offline
 
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Thanks for the suggestions.
I'll definitly be starting low and working up. I like to know what I might expect before I get started.

I'm very intrigued by the Hornady Interbond. BC of 0.400 is shooting very flat out to 400 yards with lots of energy(for a 243). I'll still have some hold over at that range, but not too bad.

I wouldn'd shoot a deer at that range with a 243, but I wouldn't hesitate trying a coyote. Ultimately I'd like to interchange between the 87gr vmax and the 85gr Interbond. Judging by the ballistic tables they would have nearly identical POI out to 450 yards. I understand some range time would be needed to confirm this, but this looks like good starting combination.

I think I'll work these up in late November and put them to the test on Coyotes for the remainder of the winter.

Thanks again.
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  #6  
Old 11-05-2010, 09:19 PM
muleskinner muleskinner is offline
 
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Default Barnes

You can't beat Barnes TSX bullets.(available in 85 gr)Use 62 gr. varmint grenades in my .243 and they are real accurate.
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Old 11-05-2010, 09:23 PM
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SHORTMAG SHORTMAG is offline
 
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I got a Stevens 200 in 243... I've got a great Coyote load Nosler 55 gr BT's...WLR primers...Win & RP brass... 44.3 gr of IMR 4064...COAL 2.155...this load will give me a ragged hole at 100 yds and FLATTENS Coyotes at 160 yds!!!
I've also worked up a great load for deer....using 40.5 gr of IMR4350....95 gr Nosler BT's and Hornady SST's...WLR Primers....Same brass...Win & RP....identical POI...again one ragged hole groups at 100 yds, but the difference between the two loads[55 & 95] is about 3-4 inches @ 100 yds!!.....I just got a couple of boxes of Lapua 90 gr Scenars to try......the first 20 reloads weren't near as good as my fav Deer load, but I got some more experimenting to do....any old excuse ta go and shoot some more!!! Best of luck with it.....shortmag!
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Old 11-05-2010, 10:09 PM
Trax Trax is offline
 
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Default 243

Ditto on the Barnes 85 grain TSX.
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  #9  
Old 11-05-2010, 10:21 PM
Duramaximos Duramaximos is offline
 
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I'm currently shooting the 85 grain TSX. My only want is to improve the long range trajectory. The BC is pretty good but the Hornady Interbond is better with 7" less bullet drop at 400 yards. All things being equal it is a little bit flatter.

Now why should this matter?? Well I'm looking to find a deer bullet and a varmint bullet that will have very similar POI out to 400 yards. So far the 85gr Interbond and the 87gr Vmax are almost a dead match...in theory...

My 243 is a dual purpose deer/coyote gun and I'll be using it for both at the same time so finding two bullets that perform similarly would be a bonus.
If ole wilie coyote pops his head out at 400 I'll know excatly what to expect from my gun wether I'm loaded with my deer round or my coyote round.

What can I say I'm a little anal about these things
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  #10  
Old 11-06-2010, 07:56 AM
bobinthesky bobinthesky is offline
 
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Nosler's #3 lists the 95 grain Partition running 3250 fps out of a 24 inch barrel using Imr 7828. They use the same load for the 95 grain Partition as well.
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