Going hunting on a smaller property near Roma in the next few weeks where I don't think they'll appreciate my usual 4500+ftlb hunting/varmint rifles. So I had to dig out and dust off the old 243 and work up some current loads. Seeing as the usual critter needing culling on this place will be reasonably small I worked up some loads using the nosler 55gn BT and 75gn hornady hp.
Its been years since I've actually shot this rifle because I really do enjoy making paddock pizza of anything up to 45 + kgs, hence my love of larger calibres using explosive pills. After a full day at the range with my loading gear trying endless combinations of components I came up with 2 varmint loads for the next trip. Now the rifle involved is a very old timber stocked CMC howa wearing a bushnell 4-12 scope which cost less than 750 bux new including scope. The first load worked up was the 75gn hornady doing a very consistent 3500 and a bit fps. After much testing the final load consistently shot 3 shots under .5 moa and 5 shots around .6 moa. Now the other load with the 55gn BT that took even longer to come up with also shoots 3 shots under .5 moa and 5 under .66 moa. Now my question is why do people try to avoid and freely criticize a calibre like this when it drives a 55gn BT at over 4000fps easily with this kind of accuracy. What is the advantage of going to a wildcat calibre like the 6x250 or any other variant when a std calibre can achieve this. Not that this is any thing special but at these speeds and accuracy from a cheap outfit I think it rivals the likes of the 204 ruger type outfits costing s**t loads more. Running it through the ballistics program it has a 2 inch point blank range of 315 yds. Not too shabby but a ways short of my 300rum at 4100fps with the 125 BT. I also have a ruger laminate job in 220 swift which is severely taxed driving a 55gnr at 3900 fps so the 243 s**ts on this as well. So why is the pope gun so despised on this forum when to my eyes it seems bloody capable and exceeds so many other so called varmint cals with ease?
The final load actually averaged closer to 4050 fps. This was the last shot before a cease fire while working up the load.
Mate i dont think its really disliked by many on the forum. i think the main issue is the .243 has many "fan boys" who believe it is the be all and end all of catridges. Consequently people will find a reason to put it down when there is an opening.
Personally i dont have a problem with the .243. It is definately a highly capable round but as fair as dedicated, purely varminting calbers go, there are better choices
Mate Grimo has the right of it really. There is nothing wrong with the 243, people just get sick of hearing the crap that dribbles forth about the 243. If you listened to the rubbish you hear one would wonder why anyone owns any other calibre afterall a 243 can take everything from sparrows at 1000yds to elephants out to 100yds (as long as you place your shot correctly).
So really its a bit of a running joke. The simple fact is that many other calibres do the job as well and often do it better. Heres a couple of questions for you..
What is the most accurate 6mm cartridge(yes I know its hair splitting but take a stab)?
What 6mm drives the bullet fastest/has the flatest trajectory?
How close are the two answers you have given to other 6mm variants(ie really close or long way behind)?
300RUM wrote: What is the advantage of going to a wildcat calibre like the 6x250 or any other variant when a std calibre can achieve this.
Because 243's are like assholes, everyone has one!
some ppl like to have something that is less popular and therefor more "special".
it's the same reason why we hate hyundia excels....
I dont know what all the fuss is in regard to rubbishing the .243. I myself have never read where people brag about taking big game with one.
People who whinge about the cal obviously dont have one or have never fired one. I also think people with NFI join in bagging it just to sound smart...
I have one and feed it hand loaded 87gn v-max projies. Performs great for it's intended purpose.
Ogre is right hiwall myself and a few others started teasing the cartridge on ahn none of us really hate it. It's just stirring the lovers of the cal! Though I'd happily own one!
Argh thanks guys. I was beginning to wonder whether I was seeing some virtues in this calibre that may not have existed except for in my imagination. Its good to see the 243 does have a bit of a following here. I've done a little bit more load development with the 55gnrs and managed to shrink the groups a bit more whilst keeping things moving over 4000fps. Seems a bit fussy about bullets though. I can't seem to get the sierras to work out of it at all.
No great loss though I'm pretty happy with the noslers and hornady's.
Jock wrote:
WhiteMeat wrote:Out of curiosity 300RUM, which mountains are you in?
I think he is near Mount Women.
Ha ha ha thats gold........ I wish it was true at the moment.
Yeah sorry "whitemeat" I forgot I still had my location as mountins. The reason for that was more to do with my original avatar.
This one here
Thanks again for the info guys, I'll see how it goes on criiters in a few weeks. If there's anything out of the ordinary fragged critters i'll post some pix.
Cheers Brett
This is my .243 calibre rifle - it is a pretty good calibre really, especially when chambered for .240 Wby Mag. What load are you using to get over 4000fps with 55gr bullets - sounds like you have picked a good powder.
HiWall wrote:This is my .243 calibre rifle - it is a pretty good calibre really, especially when chambered for .240 Wby Mag. What load are you using to get over 4000fps with 55gr bullets - sounds like you have picked a good powder.
Ahh that's better.
