Best powder for 243? 80-90gr pills

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Re: Best powder for 243? 80-90gr pills

Post by SCJ429 » 14 Mar 2023, 8:53 pm

I was going to say the same thing. The 243 is famous for flames over a foot long out of the muzzle. Perhaps rebarrel to a 6BR Norma for an efficient 6mm.
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Re: Best powder for 243? 80-90gr pills

Post by JohnV » 18 Mar 2023, 5:57 pm

Can't see the point in getting a .243 then loading it down a lot . You would be better off with a 6mm BR or 6 mm PPC cartridge to load down . When I touch off my 243 artillery piece the range officers come up to see if I am shooting something illegal because it's so noisy . They get disappointed when they find out it's just a .243 . In my 308 I do load on the milder side looking for best accuracy in a pleasant load but in the 17lb 243 I want best accuracy and velocity as the recoil is mild .
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Re: Best powder for 243? 80-90gr pills

Post by bladeracer » 18 Mar 2023, 6:48 pm

JohnV wrote:Can't see the point in getting a .243 then loading it down a lot . You would be better off with a 6mm BR or 6 mm PPC cartridge to load down . When I touch off my 243 artillery piece the range officers come up to see if I am shooting something illegal because it's so noisy . They get disappointed when they find out it's just a .243 . In my 308 I do load on the milder side looking for best accuracy in a pleasant load but in the 17lb 243 I want best accuracy and velocity as the recoil is mild .


Met a guy today that uses a .243 at the closest ranges I've ever come across, contact range :-)
He used it to drop the steers they were butchering.
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Re: Best powder for 243? 80-90gr pills

Post by JohnV » 18 Mar 2023, 9:32 pm

I have also shot quite a few cattle with 222 ,223 , 243 and 308 at different times . The best meat comes from the cow that is happily grazing in the paddock and then suddenly gets one in the brain , then rush over and bleed it out . Once you round cows up and hold them in yards etc. they get stressed more and produce adrenaline .
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Re: Best powder for 243? 80-90gr pills

Post by bladeracer » 18 Mar 2023, 9:45 pm

JohnV wrote:I have also shot quite a few cattle with 222 ,223 , 243 and 308 at different times . The best meat comes from the cow that is happily grazing in the paddock and then suddenly gets one in the brain , then rush over and bleed it out . Once you round cows up and hold them in yards etc. they get stressed more and produce adrenaline .


Agreed, always better when you drop them completely unaware.
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Re: Best powder for 243? 80-90gr pills

Post by animalpest » 19 Mar 2023, 12:18 am

JohnV wrote:I have also shot quite a few cattle with 222 ,223 , 243 and 308 at different times . The best meat comes from the cow that is happily grazing in the paddock and then suddenly gets one in the brain , then rush over and bleed it out . Once you round cows up and hold them in yards etc. they get stressed more and produce adrenaline .


Younger cattle a .222 or .223 if fine for. But don't expect stellar performance on any 8yo or above
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Re: Best powder for 243? 80-90gr pills

Post by JohnV » 19 Mar 2023, 11:58 am

I once had to shoot a sick cow for a old farmer and when I ring him up occasionally he can't remember me so I say I was the guy who shot your cow , and then it all comes back . It's so weird saying that to a farmer . Remeber me I shot your cow !
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Re: Best powder for 243? 80-90gr pills

Post by JohnV » 19 Mar 2023, 12:05 pm

animalpest wrote:
JohnV wrote:I have also shot quite a few cattle with 222 ,223 , 243 and 308 at different times . The best meat comes from the cow that is happily grazing in the paddock and then suddenly gets one in the brain , then rush over and bleed it out . Once you round cows up and hold them in yards etc. they get stressed more and produce adrenaline .


Younger cattle a .222 or .223 if fine for. But don't expect stellar performance on any 8yo or above

What I have learnt is old cows and bulls develop a thicker ridge of bone down the middle of the forehead . So if I am using say a 222 or 223 I then aim just to one side of center to avoid the thicker bone .
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