243 BC

[fmnjr]

I'm really liking the 243 Weatherby Vanguard S2 I picked up a couple years ago and want to get as much out of it as possible. It's topped with a VX3i CDS/Windplex, like that a lot, too. Just shooting common ammo works pretty good, just killed a lope with it at 395 yards using Remington Core Lockt 100 grain. But since I know it can shoot accurately much further that we now do with it, I'm looking to find better ammo and have come across the concept of "ballistic coefficient" which from what I gather is an important measure of performance. Is it possible to buy factory ammo for this gun with a BC > .4? What is the max BC one could get for 243 ammo?

 

[Rancho Loco]

check your twist first.

 

[MThuntr]

I agree with Rancho...I think most of the higher bc bullets in 6mm will require much faster twist than what your rifle is designed to handle.

 

[fmnjr]

Specs say this gun has 1-10" twist rate....found some interesting stuff on twist rate embedded in this link: Not buying a creedmoor

More about twist rates here: Choose the right rifling twist

 

[cahunter805]

With a 10 twist I would look at the 95gr Berger or 95gr Nosler ballistic tips.

 

[ol_spark]

I agree with the above most higher BC bullets are longer and require a faster twist but your rifle may be different. Experiment with it. That’s your only way you will know what yours will do.

 

[ShadowFast1]

With your twist rate in mind, a lot of the higher BC offerings might likely be under stabilized. Things like Hornady's Precision Hunter with the 90 grain ELD-X and Sierra's 90 grain GameChanger load are going to be in the low to marginal stability factor. Federal has a couple of promising options in their Vital-Shok 100 grain Game King(.43 G1 BC) and the Berger 95 grain Hybrid Hunter(.434 G1 BC). The Winchester 95 grain Ballistic Silvertip(.4 G1 BC) could also be a good choice. Be wary of the monolithic type bullets(although they're good bullets) like the GMX, TSX and E-Tip as their length is greater than a traditional cup and lead core bullet of similar weight which can lead to gyroscopic instability.

 

[mtmuley]

With a 10 twist I would look at the 95gr Berger or 95gr Nosler ballistic tips.

I've put quite a few 95 grain VLD's through a .243 with a 10 twist. Even killed some stuff with them. Great little bullet. mtmuley

 

[fmnjr]

With your twist rate in mind, a lot of the higher BC offerings might likely be under stabilized. Things like Hornady's Precision Hunter with the 90 grain ELD-X and Sierra's 90 grain GameChanger load are going to be in the low to marginal stability factor. Federal has a couple of promising options in their Vital-Shok 100 grain Game King(.43 G1 BC) and the Berger 95 grain Hybrid Hunter(.434 G1 BC). The Winchester 95 grain Ballistic Silvertip(.4 G1 BC) could also be a good choice. Be wary of the monolithic type bullets(although they're good bullets) like the GMX, TSX and E-Tip as their length is greater than a traditional cup and lead core bullet of similar weight which can lead to gyroscopic instability.

Thanks I’ll follow up on your summary

 

[Bigjav]

Barnes put out a LRX bullet intended for a 6mm CM, they say it needs a 1:8 twist but yours might like it, I mean a 1:10 twist can stabilize a 200gr 30 caliber

 

[std7mag]

Too bad you don't reload.
I've had good results with 100gr Sierra SPBT GameKing using RL26 out of a 1:10 twist Rossi.
105gr Hornady Match over RL26 also worked well out to 500 yards ( max tested) even though Hornady claimed otherwise.

 

[fmnjr]

Too bad you don't reload.
I've had good results with 100gr Sierra SPBT GameKing using RL26 out of a 1:10 twist Rossi.
105gr Hornady Match over RL26 also worked well out to 500 yards ( max tested) even though Hornady claimed otherwise.

I'm quickly coming to realization that reloading is what needs to be done.

 

[fmnjr]

Barnes put out a LRX bullet intended for a 6mm CM, they say it needs a 1:8 twist but yours might like it, I mean a 1:10 twist can stabilize a 200gr 30 caliber

That's an obvious fact has been overlooked on my part, for sure. I suppose twist rates are like many engineering things, there's the ideal circumstances and then there's what works.

 

[3855WIN]

Buy a box of Nosler Ballistic Tips and see how it does. They always seem to fly well in the rifles I’ve tried them in.

 

[std7mag]

Reloading open up a whole new world of bullet/cartridge options!

I'm shooting 115gr Berger VLD Hunting bullets out of my 250 Savage, 150gr Ballistic Silver Tips & 150gr ABLR out of my 284 Win & 280 Rem.
Shot a doe the other year with 7mm-08 using 140gr Berger VLD Hunting.

And finding 185gr factory ammo on shelves for 45ACP is neigh on impossible.

 

[MT_Chad]

I use the 85 gr barnes tsx in my 243, not quite the bc you are looking for but they shoot great and are very effective on game.

 

[mevertsen]

We use Sierra 100 grain Pro Hunters in my daughter's 243. 3 hits on game and 3 dead animals. (two misses on two different antelope this year).

Shots from 155 yards (deer #2), about 200 yards (deer #1), and 330 yards (antelope).

All have fallen where they stood. The first deer spun in a circle for a second before expiring. Second deer and antelope were DRT.

 

[fmnjr]

Your girl is on her way to being a great hunter

 

[mevertsen]

Your girl is on her way to being a great hunter

Thanks

 

[Don Fischer]

If you don't have the skill's to use it, all the BC in the world isn't gonna help you! As I understand it, BC isn't gonna be a lot of help till you get somewhere beyond 500yds! Forget BC, do you shoot that well?