Lead ban and .243?

[Beagle boy]

Good evening everybody
I was looking at a cheap .243, but I have been thinking if this is a good choice with the up coming lead ban.
I’ve heard some horror stories about none lead .243 rounds.
I’ve had no experience myself with none lead .243s and it could all but lies
Has anyone one here used them?

Cheers rob

 

[HonestJohn]

Many will run 75g-80g just fine. Some won’t, it’s hit and miss. If it’s cheap, and it’s a good one you like, it’s probably worth taking the chance

 

[muddy42]

As above, 243 has always been a bit marginal for bigger deer, this is exacerbated by non-lead and 1:10 twist rates. However as such a popular calibre, choice will improve and shorter fatter bullets help. I have no concerns for smaller deer.

If it was my only rifle, Id maybe hedge my bets and get something bigger, but if not the 243 has lots going for it. Its recoil is nearly 50% of a some of the bigger setups (factory ammo) and low recoil equals accuracy for most people.

 

[charlie222]

I was having the same thoughts as the op. Ended up buying a sako m591 in .243 for the money you'd pay for an action. I'll shoot lead until I can't, then if copper is a problem I'll have a fast twist barrel fitted.

 

[Beagle boy]

I was having the same thoughts as the op. Ended up buying a sako m591 in .243 for the money you'd pay for an action. I'll shoot lead until I can't, then if copper is a problem I'll have a fast twist barrel fitted.

Good idea charlie
I was looking for an older Parker hale or bsa as I’d only need it occasionally but might be better to go expensive
Cheers Rob

 

[VSS]

Good idea charlie
I was looking for an older Parker hale or bsa as I’d only need it occasionally but might be better to go expensive
Cheers Rob

I think it's going to be fine.
A lot of scaremongering about the .243, but more non-lead choices are coming to the market the whole time.
By the time any such proposed ban actually becomes reality there will be something suitable to push down the pipe of an older rifle.

 

[Shootgun]

I've got no problem with copper in my .243, 1/2 MOA groups if i do my bit.
Having said that, it took me a while to find the most accurate round for my particular rifle, but as others said, plenty to choos from.

 

[enfieldspares]

Good idea charlie
I was looking for an older Parker hale or bsa as I’d only need it occasionally but might be better to go expensive
Cheers Rob

They, P-Hale, don't stabilise even 100 grain Nosler Partition so they won't stabilise 100 grain non-lead. Will they stabilise non-lead 80 grain? I don't know.

 

[VSS]

They, P-Hale, don't stabilise even 100 grain Nosler Partition so they won't stabilise 100 grain non-lead. Will they stabilise non-lead 80 grain? I don't know.

I'm not going to rise to it.
I really am not.
No, I really am not.
I mean it.

 

[HonestJohn]

They, P-Hale, don't stabilise even 100 grain Nosler Partition so they won't stabilise 100 grain non-lead. Will they stabilise non-lead 80 grain? I don't know.

I’ve shot 100g out of PH’s just fine, but the 85g partition was by far the best performer of all bullets I’ve used in .243. I did move on from .243’s of course, as we all do when the pubes start to grow and we are able to handle recoil. Great calibre for youths and young women looking for a soft handling round that get put off by more mature calibres

 

[VSS]

. Great calibre for youths and young women looking for a soft handling round that get put off by more mature calibres

That is absolutely word for word the same description I have seen in American publications referring to the .270

(But that's not why I have one, I hasten to add )

 

[farrieral]

My .243 X Bolt with 1:10 twist shoots the Barnes ttsx 80 grain very well. 1/2" easily without alot of effort.

Kicking along at 3,330 fps, think I'd be happy using it on most UK species at sensible ranges... if I need to shoot further/going after reds specifically I have other rifles for that!

I think the 243 - copper debate saw alot of knee jerk reactions, especially since the Scotland minimum bullet weight was reduced.

Capable wee round, if the shooter does his/her/its bit!

 

[HonestJohn]

That is absolutely word for word the same description I have seen in American publications referring to the .270

(But that's not why I have one, I hasten to add )

Yes, there was a degree of humour meant in that. I think the US pubs actually refer to it as teens and women folk

.243 is a great calibre/chambering, I harvested many rutting stags with them before I started exploring bigger. I won’t go back though, I believe the perfect balance for UK larger deer species sits at 6.5-7mm in terms of ballistics, terminal performance and recoil.

I hate the .308, there, said it!

 

[enfieldspares]

I'm not going to rise to it.
I really am not.
No, I really am not.
I mean it.

Well my 6mm Remington by Parker Hale wouldn't shoot 100 grain Nosler Partition. They were OK and stable at 100 yards but side on through targets at 300 yards.

 

[Stevie/P]

I have had three 243s in the past Parker hale CZ and Sako I swore I’d never touch another 243
Never say never……
I’ve just recently acquired a tikka T3 S/S it complements my .270 beautifully…sako AV I’m currently using 80grn federal power shock SP I’ve only taken 2 Roe since acquiring the 243 must say it’s a lovely carry very light and fast handling no moderator with a fixed power 6x42 scope it’s a 1:10 twist not worried in the slightest about none toxic ammo as my .270 is all set up with copper so for now the .243 is my go to rifle for the smaller deer.

 

[kevtherev]

There’s plenty of non lead that works in a .243 an ideal calibre for smaller deer and foxing.
(I think it’s scaremongering by the creedmoor guys @VSS told me to say that)

 

[Triggermortis]

Ask yourself this….
Are the all the rifle manufacturers planning to cease making .243’s?
If they are .243 ammo makers will do the same, if not lead free ammo will be developed and become easier to source.
Triggermortis

 

[Beagle boy]

I’ve shot 100g out of PH’s just fine, but the 85g partition was by far the best performer of all bullets I’ve used in .243. I did move on from .243’s of course, as we all do when the pubes start to grow and we are able to handle recoil. Great calibre for youths and young women looking for a soft handling round that get put off by more mature calibres

I’ll wait till my balls drop then look at a .270

 

[Beagle boy]

Ask yourself this….
Are the all the rifle manufacturers planning to cease making .243’s?
If they are .243 ammo makers will do the same, if not lead free ammo will be developed and become easier to source.
Triggermortis

Valid point really, there’s almost too many .243s around for there not to be a viable option on them

 

[VSS]

I’ll wait till my balls drop then look at a .270

Or you could wait until they drop off then look at a Creedmoor