.243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Calibres, cartridges, ballistics tables and ammunition information.

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by solarpak » 16 Jan 2019, 2:57 pm

Arcwolf,
the 243 in an excellent choice for your first centre fire rifle but i agree with many other posters - buying a 22LR rifle will help you with getting to learn the fundamentals of shooting a rifle well - shooting off the bench, prone, free-hand etc.....

That aside, there are many wonderful rifles and i suggest for your first 243 something like the Howa, Franchi Horizon, Ruger American (ie under $1000 price point) are a great way to start.

if you want to do mainly target shooting (informally that is) a decent 70 grain factory load will suffice and for hunting, it depends on the quarry. I gave successfully used the Norma 100 gr Oryx load and the GECO 105 gr Teilmantel for deer up to the size of Red Deer without a problem.

But its a pleasant calibre to shoot and will do almost everything....
CK
solarpak
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 355
South Australia

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by Arcwolf » 16 Jan 2019, 7:18 pm

marksman wrote:for what it's worth my opinion is that the 243 can be a very capable round if used with heavy projectiles
if you are going to have a crack at targets try the 105gr bergers, I use them for game as well, even head shooting rabbits for the pot at distance
I used a 243 for many years and do like the cartridge, here is a photo of it as a very lightweight carry around rifle

Image

then I turned it into a varmint style rig in 6mm dasher with a #6 contour barrel, in target terms it is still a lightweight target profile
shoots dots at amazing ranges now with very little effort, still a hunting rifle just used for a different type of hunting

Image

if I had any advise for you it would be to buy what will do the best job for you :thumbsup:
a varmint style for target or longer range hunting or a lightweight for stalking :drinks:


Solid advice!! Much appreciated.
The Wild Card
Arcwolf
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 21
Queensland

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by Baronvonrort » 16 Jan 2019, 10:42 pm

Arcwolf wrote:
I’m thinking the T3x lite and choosing a heavy barrel as I don’t mind carrying a little extra weight around. Eventually I will be adding a .223 and .22 but just to start out I’m pretty set on the .243 for targets and putting meat in the freezer.



If you want to shoot targets you will need a 9 twist or faster with barrel for heavier VLDs and AMAX, not sure what the T3 comes with.

Since you mentioned adding a .223 and .22 later there is a bit more to consider

The .243 can send the 55gr projectiles a couple of hundred feet per second quicker than a .223 even with starting loads so not sure i would have both as i would just use the .243 for 55gr projectiles.


If i had to start from scratch again it would be 7mm-08 and .204 Ruger along with a .22lr, you can get Sierra 100gr Varmint projectiles and some Nosler 120Gr along with 139 gr SST for the 7mm-08 which is great for 100-150 gr projectiles. The 7mm-08 has good ballistics some might think higher BC means less drop at range it also means less drift in crosswind which makes it more accurate
The .204 Ruger is a great alternative to the .223.
The .22lr has the cheapest ammo

If i had to get another .243 i would go .243 AI,
Attachments
243_with_243_Ackley.jpg
243_with_243_Ackley.jpg (99.14 KiB) Viewed 9321 times
Baronvonrort
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
 
Posts: 896
New South Wales

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by Faedy » 16 Jan 2019, 11:33 pm

Arcwolf wrote:
Faedy wrote:Ive got Ruger American ith Boyyds stock. Shooting OSA ammo, it is a ripper outfit. I constantly nail roos at 350 - 400m. Pretty hard to do much shooting over that range where I am


What’s your aim point at that range, the heart?

300 - 350 is always head shot if on a good rest.
350 + is heart shot usually.
With a rest, these are usually easily achievable if no weird wind
Faedy
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 212
Western Australia

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by Daddybang » 17 Jan 2019, 6:41 am

Faedy wrote:
Arcwolf wrote:
Faedy wrote:Ive got Ruger American ith Boyyds stock. Shooting OSA ammo, it is a ripper outfit. I constantly nail roos at 350 - 400m. Pretty hard to do much shooting over that range where I am


What’s your aim point at that range, the heart?

300 - 350 is always head shot if on a good rest.
350 + is heart shot usually.
With a rest, these are usually easily achievable if no weird wind


As bigpete mentioned earlier guys shooting roo anywhere other than the head breaches the national code and its probably best not to discuss chest shooting'em on a public forum as we know these sights are monitored by the authorities(not having a go just a heads up) :thumbsup: :drinks:
This hard living ain't as easy as it used to be!!!
Daddybang
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2012
Queensland

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by duncan61 » 17 Jan 2019, 6:44 am

Nice shooting Faedy.My best shot was 270 metres using a 7mm Rem Mag off a adjustable rest support on the ground with 100gn gamekings.I held over an inch and planted it right in the melon. I use stalkers to push the game down in to The valley where I wait fully camo and this big fellow crosses the creek and stands still under a tree freestanding my best shot is about 20 foot.I am hopeless without support.where are you culling
.22 winchester .22hornet .222 .243 7mm rem mag cbc 12g
User avatar
duncan61
Officer Cadet
Officer Cadet
 
Posts: 1905
Western Australia

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by bigpete » 17 Jan 2019, 6:50 am

Daddybang wrote:
Faedy wrote:
Arcwolf wrote:
Faedy wrote:Ive got Ruger American ith Boyyds stock. Shooting OSA ammo, it is a ripper outfit. I constantly nail roos at 350 - 400m. Pretty hard to do much shooting over that range where I am


What’s your aim point at that range, the heart?

300 - 350 is always head shot if on a good rest.
350 + is heart shot usually.
With a rest, these are usually easily achievable if no weird wind


As bigpete mentioned earlier guys shooting roo anywhere other than the head breaches the national code and its probably best not to discuss chest shooting'em on a public forum as we know these sights are monitored by the authorities(not having a go just a heads up) :thumbsup: :drinks:


Also no further than 200m....
bigpete
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3577
South Australia

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by SCJ429 » 17 Jan 2019, 6:56 am

Baronvonrort wrote:
If i had to get another .243 i would go .243 AI,


What benefits are you getting from the Ackley Improved version?

I know from a coolness point of view it looks really special and makes 6XC, Lapua and Creedmoor shooters green with envy but aside from case neck lengthening reduction are there any other pluses?
SCJ429
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3207
New South Wales

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by duncan61 » 17 Jan 2019, 7:02 am

I don't have my reg6 license with me however I will screen shot it next time I am in the office.This reg applies to the humane destruction of Kangaroos too be taken for sale.On private property there is no code for drop and rot.I personally head shoot cos I can and they fall on the spot and you don't spend half the night looking for them as the farms down here don't like finding dead Roos in the middle of the paddock when they mow The bones break tractor windows and are dangerous if Faedy is out in a remote station no one cares.The advantage of shooting private property.No one else should be there
.22 winchester .22hornet .222 .243 7mm rem mag cbc 12g
User avatar
duncan61
Officer Cadet
Officer Cadet
 
Posts: 1905
Western Australia

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by Daddybang » 17 Jan 2019, 7:14 am

duncan61 wrote:I don't have my reg6 license with me however I will screen shot it next time I am in the office.This reg applies to the humane destruction of Kangaroos too be taken for sale.On private property there is no code for drop and rot.I personally head shoot cos I can and they fall on the spot and you don't spend half the night looking for them as the farms down here don't like finding dead Roos in the middle of the paddock when they mow The bones break tractor windows and are dangerous if Faedy is out in a remote station no one cares.The advantage of shooting private property.No one else should be there


So all the threafs on here that have the code linked are wrong??
As for "shooting on private land Noone cares" that may be so but discussing it on a public forum is just another example of you not getting it Duncan. Encouraging new shooters to breach the code and legislation to make yaself look like a big man is just a dumbass thing to do. :thumbsdown:
This hard living ain't as easy as it used to be!!!
Daddybang
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2012
Queensland

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by straightshooter » 17 Jan 2019, 7:29 am

Not picking on anybody in particular.
All calibers, even the sexiest most fashionable ones fired out of the coolest rifles, are subject to the laws of physics.
So I wonder for these 300m to 400m hunting shots what rituals are required such as setting up your rest, range estimating, wind estimating and adjustment of sights or estimating how much to aim off and how often they can all be satisfactorily completed before your 'target' moves on.
When you consider the legal instant kill target area of a Kangaroo, which is smaller than the palm of your hand, then a practical limit of 200m is very sensible for one shot kills. Even 200 meters would be a challenge for many shooters.
There is a long in the tooth guru gun writer who used to dazzle other writers and invitees with his fantastic ability to down game on his property at various seemingly random ranges. Little did they realise that all those ranges were marked out with indicators familiar to him and practiced on regularly.
"Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about."
"There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking." Sir Joshua Reynolds
straightshooter
Warrant Officer C1
Warrant Officer C1
 
Posts: 1263
New South Wales

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by bigpete » 17 Jan 2019, 7:42 am

Daddybang wrote:
duncan61 wrote:I don't have my reg6 license with me however I will screen shot it next time I am in the office.This reg applies to the humane destruction of Kangaroos too be taken for sale.On private property there is no code for drop and rot.I personally head shoot cos I can and they fall on the spot and you don't spend half the night looking for them as the farms down here don't like finding dead Roos in the middle of the paddock when they mow The bones break tractor windows and are dangerous if Faedy is out in a remote station no one cares.The advantage of shooting private property.No one else should be there


So all the threafs on here that have the code linked are wrong??
As for "shooting on private land Noone cares" that may be so but discussing it on a public forum is just another example of you not getting it Duncan. Encouraging new shooters to breach the code and legislation to make yaself look like a big man is just a dumbass thing to do. :thumbsdown:


Precisely
bigpete
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3577
South Australia

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by straightshooter » 17 Jan 2019, 7:58 am

bigpete wrote:
Daddybang wrote:
duncan61 wrote:I don't have my reg6 license with me however I will screen shot it next time I am in the office.This reg applies to the humane destruction of Kangaroos too be taken for sale.On private property there is no code for drop and rot.I personally head shoot cos I can and they fall on the spot and you don't spend half the night looking for them as the farms down here don't like finding dead Roos in the middle of the paddock when they mow The bones break tractor windows and are dangerous if Faedy is out in a remote station no one cares.The advantage of shooting private property.No one else should be there


So all the threafs on here that have the code linked are wrong??
As for "shooting on private land Noone cares" that may be so but discussing it on a public forum is just another example of you not getting it Duncan. Encouraging new shooters to breach the code and legislation to make yaself look like a big man is just a dumbass thing to do. :thumbsdown:


Precisely

I second that.
Making a public admission of an illegality is worse than dumb, no matter how badly somebody needs to 'big note' themselves.
The internet has a very long memory.
"Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about."
"There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking." Sir Joshua Reynolds
straightshooter
Warrant Officer C1
Warrant Officer C1
 
Posts: 1263
New South Wales

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by Daddybang » 17 Jan 2019, 8:23 am

For the benefit of others...
"The national code of conduct sets an achievable standard of humane conduct and is the MINIMUM required of persons shooting kangaroos and wallabies for reasons other than commercial utilization of of products(meat and skins) "
So it's been developed precisely for drop and rot culling although everything I can find says that it's also in place for commercial harvesting as well!! :drinks:
This hard living ain't as easy as it used to be!!!
Daddybang
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2012
Queensland

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by Bruiser64 » 17 Jan 2019, 9:03 am

Daddybang wrote:
Faedy wrote:
Arcwolf wrote:
Faedy wrote:Ive got Ruger American ith Boyyds stock. Shooting OSA ammo, it is a ripper outfit. I constantly nail roos at 350 - 400m. Pretty hard to do much shooting over that range where I am


What’s your aim point at that range, the heart?

300 - 350 is always head shot if on a good rest.
350 + is heart shot usually.
With a rest, these are usually easily achievable if no weird wind


As bigpete mentioned earlier guys shooting roo anywhere other than the head breaches the national code and its probably best not to discuss chest shooting'em on a public forum as we know these sights are monitored by the authorities(not having a go just a heads up) :thumbsup: :drinks:


I agree. The other thing to be aware of is that the Code of Practise stipulates is that shots should not be taken beyond 200 metres.
Bruiser64
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 387
Western Australia

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by duncan61 » 17 Jan 2019, 9:24 am

I have learned something again.gotta love this forum
.22 winchester .22hornet .222 .243 7mm rem mag cbc 12g
User avatar
duncan61
Officer Cadet
Officer Cadet
 
Posts: 1905
Western Australia

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by bigfellascott » 17 Jan 2019, 10:01 am

straightshooter wrote:Not picking on anybody in particular.
All calibers, even the sexiest most fashionable ones fired out of the coolest rifles, are subject to the laws of physics.
So I wonder for these 300m to 400m hunting shots what rituals are required such as setting up your rest, range estimating, wind estimating and adjustment of sights or estimating how much to aim off and how often they can all be satisfactorily completed before your 'target' moves on.
When you consider the legal instant kill target area of a Kangaroo, which is smaller than the palm of your hand, then a practical limit of 200m is very sensible for one shot kills. Even 200 meters would be a challenge for many shooters.
There is a long in the tooth guru gun writer who used to dazzle other writers and invitees with his fantastic ability to down game on his property at various seemingly random ranges. Little did they realise that all those ranges were marked out with indicators familiar to him and practiced on regularly.


Mate if you have a half decent outfit that's in a flat shooting cal those ranges aren't too hard to achieve, but you are right one's got to know their limitations and those of the cal they are using. :drinks:
User avatar
bigfellascott
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
 
Posts: 5289
-

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by Baronvonrort » 17 Jan 2019, 7:48 pm

SCJ429 wrote:
Baronvonrort wrote:
If i had to get another .243 i would go .243 AI,


What benefits are you getting from the Ackley Improved version?

I know from a coolness point of view it looks really special and makes 6XC, Lapua and Creedmoor shooters green with envy but aside from case neck lengthening reduction are there any other pluses?



They do look good that alone is enough for me.

Increased case volume so you can burn more powder resulting in more speed, cases last longer, burning more powder probably doesn't help barrel life with chemical and heat erosion in the throat. With starting loads for smaller 55gr projectiles the pressures are probably a bit lower with increased case volume.

These days I prefer the 7mm-08 it hits a bit harder and better for longer shots much better barrel life as well. The .243 is still a great calibre if I could only have one centrefire it would be it.
Attachments
brass2-1024x640.jpg
brass2-1024x640.jpg (126.38 KiB) Viewed 7101 times
case-head-expansion-vs-pressure.png
case-head-expansion-vs-pressure.png (15.48 KiB) Viewed 7101 times
Baronvonrort
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
 
Posts: 896
New South Wales

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by SCJ429 » 17 Jan 2019, 8:17 pm

What sort of speeds are you getting from the AI? A friend has offered me some dies and I was thinking about putting a reamer up my barre, like you said, for looks alone. I am already getting over 3300 fps out of a 105 grain projectile.

Did you use a hydraulic forming die to form your cases?
SCJ429
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3207
New South Wales

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by Baronvonrort » 17 Jan 2019, 10:27 pm

SCJ429 wrote:What sort of speeds are you getting from the AI? A friend has offered me some dies and I was thinking about putting a reamer up my barre, like you said, for looks alone. I am already getting over 3300 fps out of a 105 grain projectile.

Did you use a hydraulic forming die to form your cases?


I had an increase of around 100-120 FPS for 87-105gr, 24 inch barrel.

You're doing well I don't know how much faster it will be for you.

Yes, the hydraulic die paid for itself (around $220 delivered) with time saved fireforming from going somewhere to shoot along with projectiles and powder not to mention barrel life. Easy to use stick it in your press fill it with water stick piston in then whack piston with a hammer a couple of times then stick it in your AI sizing die and load as normal. You need to fit a primer so water doesn't leak out, it's a good thing IMO.
Baronvonrort
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
 
Posts: 896
New South Wales

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by deye243 » 17 Jan 2019, 10:35 pm

Because you have to resight a firearm if you change the load AFAIC a 243W is nothing more than the best varmint cartridge
on the market .
And yes I have more than 10000 rounds over 10+years you just can't beat a 65VMAX at 3765fps . 75g is good but not as explosive .......
User avatar
deye243
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2208
Victoria

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by duncan61 » 06 Feb 2019, 5:30 pm

I have just applied for a new commercial license for culling in the south west and have read the 2019-2024 code for the humane destruction of kangaroos.To the best of my understanding it only applies to commercially harvested fauna.I shot at 300 yards a few weeks ago and had no trouble off a bench rest putting all the shots in the V bull which is 80 mm once I was correctly zeroed.I was surprised as the .243 I used is a $700 HOWA with the scope it came with 3-10 x 40 something and I only had reloads we made for hunting a few years ago.The regs do state that every state and territory are different and to check.Not stirring the pot just need the truth
.22 winchester .22hornet .222 .243 7mm rem mag cbc 12g
User avatar
duncan61
Officer Cadet
Officer Cadet
 
Posts: 1905
Western Australia

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by Daddybang » 07 Feb 2019, 6:09 am

Duncan
The code of practice referenced aboge is a National Code of Practice it doesn't vary from state to state . If you can provide a link to the information you say you've read then we can look at it. IF it differs from the National code there is a serious problem with the information you are receiving. And as I said above the national code was written for drop and rot culling but hqs also been applied afaik to commercial harvesting. Anyway provide either the link or copy of the code ya read and we can look at it. :drinks:
This hard living ain't as easy as it used to be!!!
Daddybang
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2012
Queensland

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by Bruiser64 » 07 Feb 2019, 8:58 am

duncan61 wrote:I have just applied for a new commercial license for culling in the south west and have read the 2019-2024 code for the humane destruction of kangaroos.To the best of my understanding it only applies to commercially harvested fauna.I shot at 300 yards a few weeks ago and had no trouble off a bench rest putting all the shots in the V bull which is 80 mm once I was correctly zeroed.I was surprised as the .243 I used is a $700 HOWA with the scope it came with 3-10 x 40 something and I only had reloads we made for hunting a few years ago.The regs do state that every state and territory are different and to check.Not stirring the pot just need the truth


What specifically do you want to know? The National Code of Practise is exactly that “National” . In relation to the details of minimum calibre, minimum projectile weight, maximum shooting distance, point of aim, etc the code applies in WA. Are you referring to the WA Kangaroo Management Plan (see link below)? It really isn’t clear what you want to know.

https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/plants-and-a ... -australia
Bruiser64
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 387
Western Australia

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by sungazer » 07 Feb 2019, 12:51 pm

I think this is it. It has moved around a bit as in location on the web

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodivers ... commercial
sungazer
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
 
Posts: 1525
Other

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by duncan61 » 08 Feb 2019, 2:56 pm

3.2 Conditions covers it,All shooting is to be done according to the code.My .222 is no longer legal
.22 winchester .22hornet .222 .243 7mm rem mag cbc 12g
User avatar
duncan61
Officer Cadet
Officer Cadet
 
Posts: 1905
Western Australia

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by bigpete » 08 Feb 2019, 6:58 pm

How do you figure that ?
bigpete
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3577
South Australia

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by Bruiser64 » 08 Feb 2019, 8:16 pm

duncan61 wrote:3.2 Conditions covers it,All shooting is to be done according to the code.My .222 is no longer legal


Yes: it is.

https://www.environment.gov.au/system/f ... ercial.pdf

A .222 is a legal calibre for commercial or non-commercial roo shooting. The .204 Ruger with a 40 grain pill is the minimum centrefire allowed. A .222 is no problem.
Bruiser64
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 387
Western Australia

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by Daddybang » 09 Feb 2019, 6:35 am

I really am astounded that someone claiming to have been a Roo Pro for years doesn't know either the basic legislation or code of practice for that industry. :unknown: :drinks:
This hard living ain't as easy as it used to be!!!
Daddybang
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2012
Queensland

Re: .243 pros and cons, What can it do and what can’t it do?

Post by bigpete » 09 Feb 2019, 7:48 am

Daddybang wrote:I really am astounded that someone claiming to have been a Roo Pro for years doesn't know either the basic legislation or code of practice for that industry. :unknown: :drinks:

This ^^^^
And so many other dodgy things we've read....
bigpete
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3577
South Australia

PreviousNext

Back to top
 
Return to Calibres, cartridges and ballistics