Always love when folks tell people what caliber/rifles to hunt with. 243 has taken many, many deer quite effectively. Thank you for sharing your experience and findings.
I’ve enjoyed handloading for the 243 Winchester for about 20 years now from my (Remington model 770) the 70 Gr Nosler are some real screamers for sure. They printed groups the size of a dime, but some of the tips are brittle and break off in the resizing die . What I’ve also learned during my load development is to use the CBTO method instead of the COAL, my groups got even tighter.
I've got the t3x in a 223 1-12 twist, and a bergara b14 243 with 1-12, both love Norma tipstrike in 55gr and 76gr respectively, both were new and got more and more accurate over the first box or 2 or ammunition with a couple of cleans, both capable of .3" groups on a good day, average .5-.6, don't think I've ever had over an inch groups at 100m on either which is fantastic considering I don't reload. Great video demonstration. 👍
I just ran your numbers through QuickLOAD. It said only 89.3% of the powder is burned before the bullet exits the barrel with H4350. It reached only 46,772 PSI with a full case of 45.7 grains in a 22 inch barrel. Chester chose his powder well with over 99% burned for both bullet weights, in case you care.
@@dahut3614 I appreciate the feedback. I’m new to the game I reloading just the first load I found that actually Shoot good. Any advice would be appreciated.
@@andyplatfoot6126 Huh, I just tried it again and it said 96% burned- not sure what happened, but you could probably use about 6 grains less of the H4895 (13%) to reach the same velocity!
@@dahut3614 ok thanks. Going to have to play with it. Shoot some groups last night at 100. Getting teardrop holes on paper. Not sure what it means yet.
Nice combination Chester, I debated the purchase of a .243 for coyote medicine with those light varmint loads. But it seems those factory loads in .243 are even more difficult to find than .22-250. For now I'm just planning to run the .223 with 55 blitz kings for another season. Thanks.
@The Old Deer Hunters Nice gun and video. Sounds like you mostly load your own. But if you had to choose a good all purpose factory load for the 243, what would be your suggestion? For me accuracy would be most important. Thanks
I've got the. Tikka M55 in a 6mm Rem. A little bit bigger than a 243..I found in Ontario North it was too fast in woods..But..for coyotes in Southern Ontario 😀 perfect, it's a 244 Rem. Same..
Was just at the range yesterday with my savage axis 2. Hand loaded 65gr vmax . Relatively slow at an average of 3182fps, but getting 3/4” groups at 200 yards so can’t complain.
@@Theolddeerhunters I saw three this morning. Unfortunately the only one close enough had a house as a backdrop. There was one that I could not convince to come in(was in range but on property I don’t have permission to hunt). He was too focused on mousing. He would not budge from where he was. For almost two hours!! A mangy bugger.
The thing about the .243 caliber is, the twist rate is usually about 1 in 10" so it prefers lighter and shorter bullets. If you look at the "Berger Stability Calculator," it says that the 95 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip at 3085 fps is only "Marginally Stable" (Bullet length is 1.115" and BC is .378). So *if* you find that these are not grouping, this could be why!
I am just loaded some Hornady and Nosler 95 gn and plan to test them soon. I have never had problems with 95's. They shoot around an inch at 100 yards which is about as good as I can shoot. I will let you know how it goes with these new loads. What has been your experience with 95 BT's. Maybe I can make a follow up video. Thanks for your comments.
They are Dog Gone Good shooting bags. Don Scott in Oregon was the designer and manufacturer of these great bags. He is about 90 years old now and stopped production a couple of years ago. He supplied a few different resellers so there might be a few available on the net. I better call him to see how he is doing thanks.
@@Theolddeerhunters ah dang I wish he still made some maybe I can track them down. And hopefully you find him doing well when you speak to him. Thankyou for your reply and keep the awesome content coming you do great work.
It's quite simple, you are changing the harmonics of the barrel, plus the weight you are putting on the rifle will vary, thus changing the impact point and the harmonics of the barrel each shot! If you want to take the sting out of the barrel jump and or recoil, put a muzzle brake on it or a suppressor. Putting your hand on the scope or barrel while shooting will ruin the consistancy of your accuracy.
You can really get them going with a 26” barrel. I’m at 3650 fps with 70 grain ballistic tips and just over 4200fps with hand loaded 55 grain Nosler ballistic tips.
Had to smile I was doing that my rem with 55 but then things started to go south and I notice them hyper vel rounds were depositing a lot of copper in my barrel and chewing the hell out of the throat , ended up getting a tikka 1-8 twist and now trying 103 gr elds at a more moderate vel.
I have a stainless Tikka T3X CTR in .243 with factory 10 shot mags, the teflon coated bolt is silky smooth. Shoot winchester deer season 85gr through it as the rifle grouped best with them. Winchester says 3260 fps at the muzzle. Shot a lot of pigs and dingoes with it between 200 and 300 meters, they land with a solid thump. Do you normally hold your rifle into the bags by the scope? Something I was taught never to touch while shooting.
I was told by one benchrest competitor in 1988 one hand shoots .Off hand is on rear bag and controls sights. Best loads ever are 243 70gr Nosler BT from Rem 700BDL and H4831. Win primers.
All the talk about twist rate is useless between 100 to 500 yards. Benchrest is won with slow twist rates as high as 15, and the bullets pretty much go through one hole. Going from a 12 or 10 down to an 8 for a .243 at short yardage is not going to shrink the group. It will slow the bullet a fraction, and the difference in speed, which determines the best node, is what changes grouping. Learn to read the paper target, load accordingly, and group size will shrink.
IMR4895 and CFE223 for 70 gn bullets are my favorites. Best powder for 95-100 bullets is IMR4831. These powders are accurate and give me very good velocities with less than max loads. About 3400 with 70s and 2900 with 95s.
I have one of these in .243 Winchester. Only a fluted barrel. I can not find information on it. Bought it new. It hasn't been shot very much and thinking about selling it. It is a very accurate rifle and extremely light to carry. I bought it because of being banged up. Light recoil, while light to carry. I appreciate any help on finding info.
@@Theolddeerhunters Thanks partner. I was on their site but only showed T3x. I still have the box. Just says T3 243 Win. fluted barrel. It is blue finish. The actions on these rifles are like butter, good triggers and very accurate. Thanks for the quick reply. New Sub.
Hey old Timer, No disrespect, but you want Minimum 7mmo8, For better Frontal diameter impact, and heavier bullet. I have never heard of, but a few that were very happy with a 243 for deer hunting.
I totally agree. I have used a 150 gn 280 Remington for the last 30 years as my go to deer rifle. I am surprised a kid like yourself is that smart. Thanks for watching.
@@Theolddeerhunters OH YOU BUST ME UP, I'M AN OLD TIMER...67 yrs old. Awsome is the 280 cal, definitely has its Faithful Following. I read an Article, once saying , " When sitting around the old Campfire, don't discuss Religon, Politics, or Calibers" Have a Great Hunt this year, VERY HAPPY, You are still Turf Slamming Venison, with a CLASSIC.
Love the line about politics religion and calibers. Respect the man and his choice of calibers. Once upon a time I heard the line " Fear the man who owns but one rifle for he may know how to use it". I know a lot of hunting big game in Canada and the .243 .
@kdean8129 And you are right about that, I cannot deny. An Indian hunter, in Idaho used nothing but a 243 cal for Elk. A man can accomplish great things, with the Rifle, and Caliber of his choice. It's a Time Honored Thing in America, to debate over Calibers. Have a Great day, Stay Strong, Never give up your guns.
💁♂️ You can get a Muzzle Velocity of 3,500 feet/second (ft/s) from a 270 Winchester using Norma 204 powder and a Nosler 110 grain Accubond or Barns TTSX! Sighted in at a Maximum Point Blank Range (MPBR) of 350 yards, the drop (hold/aim) out to 400 yards is +/- 4.8" and drop at 500 yards is only 15"! If you step up to the 130 grain ballistics tip, using Reloader 16, you can get a Muzzle Velocity of 3,225 ft/s and using Magpro powder, get 3,235 ft/s with a +/- 5" hold out to 400 yards! It takes the "guess work" out of shooting - just point at the vitals and shoot! A longer range, harder hitting cartridge is of more use out here in the West! For elk, you can step up to the 150 grain bullets (I am using the 150 grain Nosler ABLR - B.C. of 0.591) and with Reloader 26, and get them to Muzzle Velocities of well over 3,000 ft/s! I also prefer Sako rifles to their Tikka Models myself! 🤷♂️
🤷♂️ Well, both! I do reload, but primers have been very hard to come buy here the last several years! Several weeks ago, I traveled the entire state of Montana (which is rather large) looking for reloading supplies, but to no avail! I went to over 100 gun stores and bought just about everything else! My favorite elk bullet is a 150 grain Swift A-Frame, but I haven't been able to get them either! ☹ Luckily, I have a caliber that has lots of other bullet options available! 🥵 Had I only been still relying on my Wildcat cartridges, I would have been out of luck! 😱 I have learned my lesson and from now on, I will stick with my 270 Winchester and 30-06! 🧐 I am done with the Big Magnums! 🤕
@@ronlowney4700 I chronographed some 3006 165 Superformance the other day and it clocked 2910 from 22" barrel. That is the best 3006 load I have ever tested.
🤠 The 168 grain and 190 Nosler ABLR loads are also fantastic! The 165 grain Horneday Superformance Ammunition also shoots quite well out of my rifles! 😯
Always love when folks tell people what caliber/rifles to hunt with. 243 has taken many, many deer quite effectively. Thank you for sharing your experience and findings.
I’ve enjoyed handloading for the 243 Winchester for about 20 years now from my (Remington model 770) the 70 Gr Nosler are some real screamers for sure. They printed groups the size of a dime, but some of the tips are brittle and break off in the resizing die . What I’ve also learned during my load development is to use the CBTO method instead of the COAL, my groups got even tighter.
Tikka's and ballistic tips. After one video I'm already subscribed. Excellent work sir.
Thanks for watching.
I've got the t3x in a 223 1-12 twist, and a bergara b14 243 with 1-12, both love Norma tipstrike in 55gr and 76gr respectively, both were new and got more and more accurate over the first box or 2 or ammunition with a couple of cleans, both capable of .3" groups on a good day, average .5-.6, don't think I've ever had over an inch groups at 100m on either which is fantastic considering I don't reload. Great video demonstration. 👍
Love your vid, thanks. I've been chronographing 3400 fps with 80 gr. TTSXs.
Thanks for this information
I've just purchased this Rifle and I'm really looking forward to shooting it
hello from Darwin Australia I have a Tikka T3 in .243 very happy with the performance l am using Winchester Power Points 100 grain
Hello to you. I bet it does a great job too. What do you hunt with your 243?
I bet it smokes some kangaroos!!!
Good video. My tikka t3x shoots good at the same velocities. 3350 ish seem to be the sweet spot.
Federal match primer
70 Gr Nosler VArmageddon
H4350
I just ran your numbers through QuickLOAD. It said only 89.3% of the powder is burned before the bullet exits the barrel with H4350. It reached only 46,772 PSI with a full case of 45.7 grains in a 22 inch barrel. Chester chose his powder well with over 99% burned for both bullet weights, in case you care.
@@dahut3614 I appreciate the feedback. I’m new to the game I reloading just the first load I found that actually Shoot good. Any advice would be appreciated.
@@andyplatfoot6126 Huh, I just tried it again and it said 96% burned- not sure what happened, but you could probably use about 6 grains less of the H4895 (13%) to reach the same velocity!
@@dahut3614 ok thanks. Going to have to play with it. Shoot some groups last night at 100. Getting teardrop holes on paper. Not sure what it means yet.
Been running the Hornandy 87gr V-Max through my Tikka T3X .243 Stainless, it's a great flat shooting factory round.
Great choice.
Nice combination Chester, I debated the purchase of a .243 for coyote medicine with those light varmint loads. But it seems those factory loads in .243 are even more difficult to find than .22-250. For now I'm just planning to run the .223 with 55 blitz kings for another season. Thanks.
Those Blitz Kings are good bullets!! Good luck.
@The Old Deer Hunters Nice gun and video.
Sounds like you mostly load your own. But if you had to choose a good all purpose factory load for the 243, what would be your suggestion? For me accuracy would be most important.
Thanks
@@dhamilton201 any brand with 70-87 grain Vmax or Nosler Varmint bullet.
I've got the. Tikka M55 in a 6mm Rem. A little bit bigger than a 243..I found in Ontario North it was too fast in woods..But..for coyotes in Southern Ontario 😀 perfect, it's a 244 Rem. Same..
The 244 was made for coyotes. Great round.
Was just at the range yesterday with my savage axis 2. Hand loaded 65gr vmax . Relatively slow at an average of 3182fps, but getting 3/4” groups at 200 yards so can’t complain.
That should be a great combo for coyotes!
@@Theolddeerhunters I saw three this morning. Unfortunately the only one close enough had a house as a backdrop.
There was one that I could not convince to come in(was in range but on property I don’t have permission to hunt). He was too focused on mousing. He would not budge from where he was. For almost two hours!! A mangy bugger.
@@ironblud wow. Cool encounter. You will get him soon. Thanks for watching. I also have a website at theolddeerhunters.com/
Try Hornady 58grain superfast, they get up there in the 243.
The thing about the .243 caliber is, the twist rate is usually about 1 in 10" so it prefers lighter and shorter bullets. If you look at the "Berger Stability Calculator," it says that the 95 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip at 3085 fps is only "Marginally Stable" (Bullet length is 1.115" and BC is .378). So *if* you find that these are not grouping, this could be why!
I am just loaded some Hornady and Nosler 95 gn and plan to test them soon. I have never had problems with 95's. They shoot around an inch at 100 yards which is about as good as I can shoot. I will let you know how it goes with these new loads. What has been your experience with 95 BT's. Maybe I can make a follow up video. Thanks for your comments.
I ran the numbers on the BSC and it says the twist is optimized for the 95 NBT. Did I miss something?
@@Theolddeerhunters I still get 1.20. Funny, if I change it to 6mm, it is 1.13!
Super nice enjoy.😊
Just subscribed, great shooting an great video. What type of shooting bags are you using I like those
They are Dog Gone Good shooting bags. Don Scott in Oregon was the designer and manufacturer of these great bags. He is about 90 years old now and stopped production a couple of years ago. He supplied a few different resellers so there might be a few available on the net. I better call him to see how he is doing thanks.
@@Theolddeerhunters ah dang I wish he still made some maybe I can track them down. And hopefully you find him doing well when you speak to him. Thankyou for your reply and keep the awesome content coming you do great work.
I stopped watching after the first shot!
Putting your hand on top of the scope is a NO NO for me.
whys that boss? thats how you tame light rifles jumpiness. i actuall drap my wrist over the front ring if recoil is snappy ono a light rifle.
It's quite simple, you are changing the harmonics of the barrel,
plus the weight you are putting on the rifle will vary, thus
changing the impact point and the harmonics of the barrel each shot!
If you want to take the sting out of the barrel jump and or recoil,
put a muzzle brake on it or a suppressor.
Putting your hand on the scope or barrel while shooting will ruin
the consistancy of your accuracy.
You can really get them going with a 26” barrel. I’m at 3650 fps with 70 grain ballistic tips and just over 4200fps with hand loaded 55 grain Nosler ballistic tips.
Had to smile I was doing that my rem with 55 but then things started to go south and I notice them hyper vel rounds were depositing a lot of copper in my barrel and chewing the hell out of the throat , ended up getting a tikka 1-8 twist and now trying 103 gr elds at a more moderate vel.
The 243 will smoke a Swift. 😅 I've shot some of those loads, wow.
I have a stainless Tikka T3X CTR in .243 with factory 10 shot mags, the teflon coated bolt is silky smooth. Shoot winchester deer season 85gr through it as the rifle grouped best with them. Winchester says 3260 fps at the muzzle. Shot a lot of pigs and dingoes with it between 200 and 300 meters, they land with a solid thump. Do you normally hold your rifle into the bags by the scope? Something I was taught never to touch while shooting.
I was told by one benchrest competitor in 1988 one hand shoots .Off hand is on rear bag and controls sights. Best loads ever are 243 70gr Nosler BT from Rem 700BDL and H4831. Win primers.
I do really well with the 62 barnes, 87 vmax, 95 sst
Hard to beat a good 243👍
@TXDocPrich
For an all purpose bullet, which would be your favorite of those 3?
@@dhamilton201 95 SST
@The Old Deer Hunters Thanks I'll give those a try in my Savage 243 model 10 22 inch barrel
My ruger 243 loves 75 grain v max
Vmax is a great bullet. Thanks for your comment.
I have heard that Tikka barrels are slow. Not this one!
At 3500 fps, I would go with a mono or bonded.
All the talk about twist rate is useless between 100 to 500 yards. Benchrest is won with slow twist rates as high as 15, and the bullets pretty much go through one hole. Going from a 12 or 10 down to an 8 for a .243 at short yardage is not going to shrink the group. It will slow the bullet a fraction, and the difference in speed, which determines the best node, is what changes grouping. Learn to read the paper target, load accordingly, and group size will shrink.
No...
Any factory 243 ammo that you think would work for long range?
I would say Hornady 90 ELD-X.
Don't know if I missed it but what powders and loads are you using.
IMR4895 and CFE223 for 70 gn bullets are my favorites. Best powder for 95-100 bullets is IMR4831. These powders are accurate and give me very good velocities with less than max loads. About 3400 with 70s and 2900 with 95s.
I have in 243 tried H4831 IMR4350 H380 with very good results in Rem 700BDL . With 100 and 105 gr the first two shot very well in my experience
I have one of these in .243 Winchester. Only a fluted barrel. I can not find information on it. Bought it new. It hasn't been shot very much and thinking about selling it. It is a very accurate rifle and extremely light to carry. I bought it because of being banged up. Light recoil, while light to carry. I appreciate any help on finding info.
The fluted barrel with standard stock most likely a Superlite. Look up on tikka website for info.
@@Theolddeerhunters
Thanks partner. I was on their site but only showed T3x. I still have the box. Just says T3 243 Win. fluted barrel. It is blue finish.
The actions on these rifles are like butter, good triggers and very accurate.
Thanks for the quick reply.
New Sub.
Hey old Timer, No disrespect, but you want Minimum 7mmo8, For better Frontal diameter impact, and heavier bullet. I have never heard of, but a few that were very happy with a 243 for deer hunting.
I totally agree. I have used a 150 gn 280 Remington for the last 30 years as my go to deer rifle. I am surprised a kid like yourself is that smart. Thanks for watching.
@@Theolddeerhunters OH YOU BUST ME UP, I'M AN OLD TIMER...67 yrs old.
Awsome is the 280 cal, definitely has its Faithful Following. I read an Article, once saying , " When sitting around the old Campfire, don't discuss Religon, Politics, or Calibers" Have a Great Hunt this year, VERY HAPPY, You are still Turf Slamming Venison, with a CLASSIC.
Love the line about politics religion and calibers. Respect the man and his choice of calibers. Once upon a time I heard the line " Fear the man who owns but one rifle for he may know how to use it". I know a lot of hunting big game in Canada and the .243 .
@kdean8129 And you are right about that, I cannot deny. An Indian hunter, in Idaho used nothing but a 243 cal for Elk. A man can accomplish great things, with the Rifle, and Caliber of his choice. It's a Time Honored Thing in America, to debate over Calibers. Have a Great day, Stay Strong, Never give up your guns.
💁♂️ You can get a Muzzle Velocity of 3,500 feet/second (ft/s) from a 270 Winchester using Norma 204 powder and a Nosler 110 grain Accubond or Barns TTSX! Sighted in at a Maximum Point Blank Range (MPBR) of 350 yards, the drop (hold/aim) out to 400 yards is +/- 4.8" and drop at 500 yards is only 15"! If you step up to the 130 grain ballistics tip, using Reloader 16, you can get a Muzzle Velocity of 3,225 ft/s and using Magpro powder, get 3,235 ft/s with a +/- 5" hold out to 400 yards! It takes the "guess work" out of shooting - just point at the vitals and shoot! A longer range, harder hitting cartridge is of more use out here in the West! For elk, you can step up to the 150 grain bullets (I am using the 150 grain Nosler ABLR - B.C. of 0.591) and with Reloader 26, and get them to Muzzle Velocities of well over 3,000 ft/s! I also prefer Sako rifles to their Tikka Models myself! 🤷♂️
Thanks for the 270 info. Did you get the data from a loading manual or did you chronograph your personal hand loads that got those velocities?
🤷♂️ Well, both! I do reload, but primers have been very hard to come buy here the last several years! Several weeks ago, I traveled the entire state of Montana (which is rather large) looking for reloading supplies, but to no avail! I went to over 100 gun stores and bought just about everything else! My favorite elk bullet is a 150 grain Swift A-Frame, but I haven't been able to get them either! ☹ Luckily, I have a caliber that has lots of other bullet options available! 🥵 Had I only been still relying on my Wildcat cartridges, I would have been out of luck! 😱 I have learned my lesson and from now on, I will stick with my 270 Winchester and 30-06! 🧐 I am done with the Big Magnums! 🤕
🙂 I do love my Sako rifles though! 🥇
@@ronlowney4700 I chronographed some 3006 165 Superformance the other day and it clocked 2910 from 22" barrel. That is the best 3006 load I have ever tested.
🤠 The 168 grain and 190 Nosler ABLR loads are also fantastic! The 165 grain Horneday Superformance Ammunition also shoots quite well out of my rifles! 😯