rifling rate for .243.

[ontarget]

What is the best rate of twist for .243 assuming 22 inch barrel and 80-100 grain bullets? I will be hand loading for target shooting at ranges to 500 yards. Thanks.

 

[rcmodel]

It's been 1/10 since it was invented in 1955.

I see no reason to change now.

Remington saw fit to bring out the .244 Rem in 1963 with 1/12.
And it was a dismal failure because it couldn't handle heavier hunting bullets.

rc

 

[Art Eatman]

1:9 might be better than 1:10. My 19" Sako carbine, 1:10, doesn't seem to do as well with 100s for tight groups as it does with 85s and lighter. I only tried one effort with Noslers, though.

 

[ThomasT]

Yes when remington came out with the .244 it wouldn't stabilize 100gr bullets reliably. But seemed to work with 90gr or lighter bullets. Remington then changed the twist because of all the complaints and changed it to a 1/9 twist. As far as I know they still use the 1/9 twist today.

I have had two remington .243 rifles and both shot small groups at 100 yards. I used one of them to make my longest deer kill of 250 yards. I normally hunt close and try to keep shots under a hundred yards. But that .243 did the job at a longer range. I was using the old 105gr speer bullet.

 

[birdshot8's]

RC, I was thinking a 1 to 9 twist would allow the 243 to take advantage of some of the new longer bullets, such as the 105 long distance bullets. or the copper Barnes bullets.

 

[The Big D]

What is the best rate of twist for .243 assuming 22 inch barrel and 80-100 grain bullets? I will be hand loading for target shooting at ranges to 500 yards. Thanks.

To be fully stable in all reasonable atmospheric conditions with a 100gr bullet in .243, you need a 1:8.5 or faster twist.

Slower twist rates may be somewhat stable some of the time with some bullets at some temperatures, but since there is essentially no downside to fast twist rates I would buy a 1:8 or 1:8.5 if you have the option.

 

[Gtscotty]

1:9 might be better than 1:10. My 19" Sako carbine, 1:10, doesn't seem to do as well with 100s for tight groups as it does with 85s and lighter. I only tried one effort with Noslers, though.

Yep, my Winchester Featherweight has a 1:10 twist, and doesn't do as well with the heavier bullets as it does with 70's and 85's. I'd prefer a 1:9 twist for the more aerodynamic 100's and probably even faster if you want to shoot the really slick heavier target bullets.

 

[ontarget]

I am looking at a Savage with a 1:9.25 twist. Too slow?

 

[The Big D]

I am looking at a Savage with a 1:9.25 twist. Too slow?

That will stabilize 100gr bullets down to 32F at sealevel. So it'll be a bit of a fair weather rifle, but OK for most things.

 

[Gtscotty]

I am looking at a Savage with a 1:9.25 twist. Too slow?

I wouldn't be concerned about 1:9.25, that seems to be a standard used by several manufactures in lieu of the older 1:10 standard. I got mine to shoot 95gr NBTs, but it took some work, I think you'd be fine with most hunting bullets.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

It looks like the Ruger American .243 is made with a 1:9 twist barrel.

 

[ontarget]

Planning to use match bullets, like a HPBT or similar. I have hunting rifles so just plan on high volume target shooting.

 

[browningguy]

I couldn't get my Savage 12 in .243 to shoot the 107 SMK's, so I changed it out for a 8 twist Lothar Walther and that works fine. Just about everyone makes a pre-fit for the Savage, and it's a do it yourself job.

 

[ontarget]

Is a barrel change on the Savage Axis a do it your self job? I have never owned a Savage before?

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, it is.

The barrel is attached to the receiver by a lock-nut affaire.

All you need is a barrel nut wrench, and a headspace gage.

rc

 

[dubbleA]

I am running a 1:7.5 twisted Krieger along with 115 gr DTAC's and 115gr Berger VLD's. It will also shoot the less exspensive Hornady 105gr Amax though pre AMP jacketed ones have a tendency to come apart in flight.
Went with the faster twist with the purpose of shooting heavies. YMMV

 

[RainDodger]

I've found what others here have... I have a Sako .243 with a 1:10 barrel. No matter what I do with the load, it doesn't like bullets as heavy as 90 grains. Once I moved down to 75 grains and below, the groups tightened up considerably. My best group so far was with a 62 grain Barnes bullet. Touching holes at 100 yards.

 

[Sunray]

Been using 90's and 105's out of a 1 in 9.125" barrel for over 40 years. My rifle dislikes lighter than 80 grain bullets. Doesn't hate 'em though. Remington uses the 1 in 9 1/8" twist too.
500 yards for any 6mm bullet is kind of optimistic. Bullet drop for a 100ish grain bullet with a 100 yard zero is about 4 feet at 500.

 

[dubbleA]

Sunray,

There are quite a few LR shooters that would disagree. The 243 Win as well as a few various 6mm's make fine low recoiling LR rifles when set up properly. The high BC's of the heavier VLD styles are nothing like a 100 gr hunting bullet.

My daughter shot this 10 shot group at 600yards one evening as I was spotting for her using a 243 Win. You could easily cover the group with your fist. She did manage to get one out of the black though.

 

[grubbylabs]

That's pretty good shooting dubbleA. Glad your able to spend the time with your girl.

 

[cdb1]

My Vanguard .243 has a 1:10 twist and won't stabilize Berger 95 grain Hunting VLD's.

 

[mshootnit]

1:9.5 is the slowest you want in 243.

 

[Dinosaur1]

Did she do that with your Tikka dubbleA?