Thread: .243 for 500m shots

Well my 2 cents worth as a 243 shooter.
My bolt action has a 1:8 twist and staying inside the max from the tables I throw a Berger 105 at 3020 fps which gives me 1000 ftlb at 500 mths. I have not shot a red with this and doubt I will as I have not got it to group. However at 200 mtrs it's too much bullet for goats. Massive exit wounds even on quartering shoots.
So for the OP I was going to suggest the Berger 95gr as it should work in a factory twist.

Using the Berger 87 gr I have shot a number of goats out to 440 mtr, fallow to 260 mtr but all the reds have been at less tha 100 mtr. My experiance suggest this bullet is at its best on game up to fallow size as the bullet does not have the same penitration that the 105 gr one does.
Most of the goats and red deer were shoot using the 87 gr Berger out of a factory barrelled Sav 99 using loads aprox 2gr under max.
Zane

Recently bought some RL26 and tried in my 7mm WSM with good results. Figured it may be worth a try in the .243. Found a formula to try and finished up at 48 gr RL 26 behind a Speer 100 gr SPBT with .430 BC at 3125 fps average. At 400 yds I have several 3 shot groups of 2.8 down to 2.2 inches, and one at 1.5. Rifle is a Tikka M55 fitted with a 23" Sako sporter profile barrel with twist rate that I have never checked, probably 1:10. Velocity and energy at 400 yds should be around 2283 fps and 1157 ft/lb respectively. At 500 yds 2096 fps and 975 ft lb; so not bad for what is a true hunting projectile with just an average BC, other projectiles out there with much better BC than this. Incidentally according to drop and measured velocity the BC appeared very close to the claimed figure. Haven't shot any deer with it yet but would be optimistic about it working fine in the right situation on Reds out to 500 yds, have seen plenty die with less being thrown at them than this. As with all loads start lower down and work up.

That's a good speed 38 south. I'm using reloder 23 in a 7saum and it too generates good speeds. Like you I reckon 500 would be on with your 243 load. As long as there's little wind and you plonk the bullet in the middle of the shoulder it should be job done.

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread. On reflection it appears that with an appropriately twisted .243 shooting 100gr+ .5+ BC projectiles 450m is probably the limit of what one expect on small to medium deer .i.e no big Reds at 450m in the roar (use on small-med deer was my intention and I should have put that in my OP)

Be keen to see the results

Hamish

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