243 Win bullet weight question

[btomlin]

I have tried 2 different ammos in my 243 standard barrel handi-rifle.  I just haven't had time to try more brands.

I tried some Winchester SuperX 100gr PSP and some Federal "blue box" 80gr psp.

The winchester 100s were about a 4" group/pattern at 100yrds and the Federal 80s were a nice 1" group at 100yrds.

Is this an indication that I should try more rounds in the lighter weights or is it possible/probable that my gun just likes different brands?

I'm happy with the group of the Federal 80s, but it seems 100gr Rem or Fed are more readily available.  This could be an illusion since I can't find a dang box of Federal 80s anywhere now after finding how good they shoot for me.

What do you think???  Stay light or stay away from winchester? ha ha

[quickdtoo]

See the best factory ammo link in the FAQs, I have several H&R 243s, the 95gr Fusion and 100gr Power Shoks shoot good in most of em.

Tim

[BBF]

What are you going to shoot/hunt with that rifle?

[Datil]

 My 243 shoots Sierra 85 gr HPBT best with heavy dose of IMR 4320 !

 2 texas deer and one Turkey all ONE SHOT KILLS!!!!!!

 The deer laid down on the spot, Turkey bonced around a litte>

 Marv.

[btomlin]

What are you going to shoot/hunt with that rifle?

The occasional coyote and some does....In Iowa, this is pretty much all we can shoot with a HP rifle.

[BBF]

You could stay with a 85(Sierra's 85 gr HP is a good one) to 100 gr bullet for both or to a lighter bullet for yotes depends how much messin' around you like to do

[dross80]

So the Handi has a 1:10 twist in the 243.  How light in weight can you go and retain accuracy?  All the way down to 55 grain?

[quickdtoo]

Mitchell has shot the 55gr CT ballistic tips under .3" at 100yds to answer that question, I haven't shot anything under 80gr myself, but my 243 Ultra Varmint shoots factory 100gr Power-Shoks into ½" at 100yds. 

Tim

[dross80]

Mitchell has shot the 55gr CT ballistic tips under .3" at 100yds to answer that question, I haven't shot anything under 80gr myself, but my 243 Ultra Varmint shoots factory 100gr Power-Shoks into ½" at 100yds. 

Tim

Interesting.  I don't have a Handi 243, but I just purchased a Thompson Center Icon, a (dare I say it? will I be kicked off?) bolt action and it comes with an MOA or better guarantee, and they use 100 grain Power-Shoks to test it.  Nice to have a fall back factory round.

It seems that 243s do better with a wider range of bullet size than most calibers.  Nice for versatility.