I have Mod 600 Rem in .243. Trying to make a little better deer rifle for my son by using 105 gr bullets. Could not get a decent group at 100 yds. Measured the twist thinking for the past 40 plus years the gun had a 1:9.25 twist. It has 1:10 so this is probably why I am proving to be a bad shot with these bullets. Ran it through the Greenhill formula and it calculates needing 8:1 ish. Anyone have any input or support on this?
105 Gr Speer Bullets in .243
- Thread starter Cheers
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Your probly right. I had a 6mm that would not group 95 gr. Scirrocco. Too long. Try a 100 gr. Of different manufacture or a bonded or solid in the neighborhood of 90 gr.
My Sako carbine is 1:10 twist. I've tagged about two dozen bucks with it, using the Sierra 85-grain HPBT. That's a "blow-up" bullet, so I only take neck shots or cross-body heart/lung shots. No angling shots where deeper penetration becomes important.
Ive had the gun for almost 50 years. My sons 17 so I think I'll just load some 85gr, get it shooting well, and put it up for another young kid to shoot a deer or two someday.
Probably time for him to step up to 25-06 or .270.
Thx for input all.
Probably time for him to step up to 25-06 or .270.
Thx for input all.
Saleen322
Member
I have 2 .243s, both with 1 in 10 barrels. Both will shoot 105 Speers okay. The key word here is OK, 1.5" groups more or less @ 100 yards. I never found that bullet to be the most accurate but some folks liked it for hunting.
C-grunt
Member
DM~
Member
I've shot a lot of big game with a .243 Win. and my .240 Wby.. (same bullet used)
I learned long ago, that useing 100 grain Nosler partitions, makes the .243 a LOT better big game round. I still use them today, for all of my big game shooting in those two cartridges.
DM
I learned long ago, that useing 100 grain Nosler partitions, makes the .243 a LOT better big game round. I still use them today, for all of my big game shooting in those two cartridges.
DM
RainDodger
Member
Personally, I don't think a difference of 1" in twist ratio is going to be noticeable. That being said, I have a Sako that I couldn't get to shoot well at all until I finally found one bullet that it loves. Unfortunately, it's expensive!
My Sako has a 1:10 barrel and it gobbles up Berger 90 grain BTHP Match bullets. I also found that the seating depth is critical. Get one of those Hornady or Sinclair tools that allow you to calculate the "jump" from the bullet's ogive to the lands. My rifle likes a jump of .015" and changes DO make a difference. Some rifles are touchier than others....
My Sako has a 1:10 barrel and it gobbles up Berger 90 grain BTHP Match bullets. I also found that the seating depth is critical. Get one of those Hornady or Sinclair tools that allow you to calculate the "jump" from the bullet's ogive to the lands. My rifle likes a jump of .015" and changes DO make a difference. Some rifles are touchier than others....
Dr T
Member
On bullets: My all time favorite 6 mm bullet for deer was the old Nosler Solid Base Boat Tail. It was available in 85 and 100 gr. Unfortunately, it is no longer made (but they did another production run about 10 or so years ago (and I failed to stock up--darn it).
You might want to look at the Nosler Ballistic Tip HUNTING bullets in 90 and 95 gr in 6 mm. See http://www.nosler.com/ballistic-tip.
You might want to look at the Nosler Ballistic Tip HUNTING bullets in 90 and 95 gr in 6 mm. See http://www.nosler.com/ballistic-tip.
With one of the bonded bullets, or a Nosler Partition, there is no need to use anything over 100gr in the .243 for deer. A bonded 87gr slug will expand and completely penetrate any deer with a well placed shot. The long 105's are really only a benefit when shooting long (600yds+) range, and need a faster twist.
Gordon
Member
The 105 grain Speer is not a long .243 bullet, they were designed to have bearing surface as a 100 grain ones.
All very good suggestions and I am going to try most of them starting with dropping down to a little lighter/shorter bullet. Thanks very much. Always, THR is my go to forum for good solid suggestions and answers.
I can get 1.5-2" groups out of the 105's but not good enough for me, even with the old factory gun. It has done much better in the past.
I can get 1.5-2" groups out of the 105's but not good enough for me, even with the old factory gun. It has done much better in the past.
Part of the problem is the short barrel's handicapped velocity, coupled with the 1in10" twist which is giving you mediocre groups with the 105gr slugs. Although a 2" group is certainly better than some get with their firearms.
If you stick with 100gr and under, in a flat base bullet, you should see an improvement. Flat base bullets are easier to stabilize in slower twist barrels.
NCsmitty
If you stick with 100gr and under, in a flat base bullet, you should see an improvement. Flat base bullets are easier to stabilize in slower twist barrels.
NCsmitty
DM~
Member
I think i have a full box of them in 100 grain, they are too soft on deer for me... Wanna trade me NP's for them?
DM
Cheers;
Back in the day, Remington created the .244 Remington to compete with the .243 Winchester. The .244 was seen by the Idiots Of Ilion to be more of a varminter using light bullets & therefore had a slower twist than the .243. It wouldn't stabilize heavy bullets either. Two things came of this: 1. The Idiots renamed the cartridge the 6mm Remington when they started producing rifles with the faster twist barrels. And 2. which is the important one for this discussion, Speer made a 90 grain bullet for the slow twist guns specifically for deer hunting. It's the 90 grain spitzer, part #1217. They deliberately made it tough to hunt with. I've taken both mulie and whitetail deer with it & can tell you from field experience that it works very well indeed. However, I don't know if it'll want to shoot in your particular gun, but I'd sure give it a try. You get the plus of 15 grains lighter weight which allows higher velocity, and you can be sure it'll hold together even it goes through both shoulders - I've done that.
900F
Back in the day, Remington created the .244 Remington to compete with the .243 Winchester. The .244 was seen by the Idiots Of Ilion to be more of a varminter using light bullets & therefore had a slower twist than the .243. It wouldn't stabilize heavy bullets either. Two things came of this: 1. The Idiots renamed the cartridge the 6mm Remington when they started producing rifles with the faster twist barrels. And 2. which is the important one for this discussion, Speer made a 90 grain bullet for the slow twist guns specifically for deer hunting. It's the 90 grain spitzer, part #1217. They deliberately made it tough to hunt with. I've taken both mulie and whitetail deer with it & can tell you from field experience that it works very well indeed. However, I don't know if it'll want to shoot in your particular gun, but I'd sure give it a try. You get the plus of 15 grains lighter weight which allows higher velocity, and you can be sure it'll hold together even it goes through both shoulders - I've done that.
900F
I had an old Rem. 788 years ago that loved that bullet. Shot it into nice round groups. But that bullet never performed to my expectations as a deer bullet. In my limited experience, I shot 3 or 4 deer with it before changing, the bullet came apart way quicker than I would have anticipated. Someone ahead of me mentioned the 100 grain Nosler, and I agree with that opinion. I have shot those partitions right through the rib cages of some very big bodied muley bucks, and killed at least one cow elk with that load. Good luck!
lastofthebreed
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tahunua001
Member
I would personally go with a 90gr speer deepcurl, I get good results with DCs out of most calibers.
I have never had good luck getting 85 gr. Partitions to group well dont know if 100 gr. is better. I like sierra
Along with the bonded bullet versions, these will do the job reliably.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/60...r-6mm-243-diameter-95-grain-spitzer-box-of-50
NCsmitty
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/60...r-6mm-243-diameter-95-grain-spitzer-box-of-50
NCsmitty
Dr T
Member
Note: I still have one full box of 100 gr and 85 gr Nosler Solid bases...I will use them in the next production run I make for the 6 mm Remington.
But, I have found that rifles are funny things: A bullet that works well in one rifle may not work well in another of the same make and model. And, a bullet that works in a 6 mm Rem may not work in an otherwise identical 243.
It is sort of strange that way.
But, I have found that rifles are funny things: A bullet that works well in one rifle may not work well in another of the same make and model. And, a bullet that works in a 6 mm Rem may not work in an otherwise identical 243.
It is sort of strange that way.
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