243 factory ammo

[CantGet Right]

I'm not a reloader and was looking for a good round to use on groundhogs, coyotes and deer without switching back and forth from different bullet sizes. I was looking at something from the 80-90gr. range and I have no problem shelling out for premium ammo but not sure if I want to use the ballistic tips when it comes to deer.

[bwcweld]

regular federals are a pretty good load. or hornadys. But with that caliber you should really start handloading.

[densa44]

I take it your from Ontario, here we don't have those "groundhogs" spent many happy hours hunting myself.

The beauty of the 243 IMO is that you can shoot a range of critters with it but the bullets are different. Most people will recommend about 100gr. for deer but something much lighter and faster for gophers or coyotes.

Practice is what is so important, and you can hand load your own ammo for all types of shooting.

Re-loading is NOT expensive if it was most of us wouldn't do it. I think that Lee still sells a hand loader and you can get them on e-bay.

The 243 is a fine caliber and I'm sure you will like it.

[Dr. Phil A]

Winchester super x in 80 grain and they are reasonably priced.

But there are so many other options when you reload. I picked up a box of Winchester Ballistic Tips for 32 bucks and I can find a 1lb of powder for close to that. A lb of powder is 7000 grains and would roughly make 175 rounds. Of course you have to add your costs for primers, bullets, brass and reloader but in the end it is well worth it. I am averaging about 55 cents a round for the first round just for components but it drops fast as you build more.

There are 55, 58, 60, 62, & 70 gr for all the small stuff but it is hard to find these in factory ammo.

[jim-bo]

What ever your shooting now is more than sufficient, even if its 95-100gr pills. I have tried the 55gr. Ballistic silvertips out of my 243. Good accuracy (not great, certianly not what 80+gr pills shoot).

Factory wise you can get Hornady Superpreformance wit 58gr. pills, Winchester Ballistic silver tips 55gr. and many many more in the 80-100 gr. range.

Find what shoots well and stick with it, and i found personally that the 55gr. silver tips worked real well on yotes if you don't want the pelt. But at $32-$35/box it just wasn't worth it when $20 "remchester" killed just as well with less pelt damage.

[Ice Fishing Maniac]

Winchester Supreme BST's in either 55gr or 95gr. 95's get my vote. Thats what I reload with.

[ChrisRenaud]

my .243 loves the Hornady 95 gr SSTs...

[Lonnie]

if you need a gun for every thing take a look at 6.5x55 you can get bullet weights from 90gr to 160gr and cover every thing up to moose no problem but you would have to reload as finding light grained bullets in factory shells is some times not that easy.

[Elk Chaser]

fusion 95 gr

[timsesink]

I just picked up a Ruger No.1 Int in 243 and I'm in the same boat, from what I've read premium bullets are the key in harvesting large game with the 243. I'm leaning towards the Win Supreme ammo or the FederL Fusion, a bonded core is must in my opinion in lligher calibers for larger game.

[jim-bo]

Take a look at the Winchester Power Max

243 win, 100gr jhp thats bonded

Shot placement is key in the harvesting of big game, with smaller cartridges your margin of error shrinks, a bad shot with a premium bullet is still a bad shot.

I would use a 243win on everything in AB if it was the only rifle I own, and it would kill them as dead as a 375 H&H if I do my part, but I am lacking energy and weight, am I going to try to break through a shoulder at 300m on an elk, probably not, will I try to move closer and take a broad side or quarter away shot, more than likely.

Premium bullets are the way to go if you reload, unfortunately for people restricted to factory ammunition, premium bullets come in premium ammo, which demands a premium price in most instances.

and I am yet to recover one 243 bullet on everything that I have shot with it, small hole in, bigger hole out.