Deer legal 243 80gr Factory Copper Rounds

[rookyshot]

Hi everyone, I do reload but struggling for time at the moment so I’m looking for an 80gr copper 243 Factory Round that I can keep on hand for when I don’t have time to reload or if it’s dictated by the ground owner. I’m using a 22” Barrel with a 10 twist and I was planning to use Sako Blades but they look to be short of velocity to make them large deer legal.

Has anyone run some Barnes, Federal or Hornady over the chrono and found them to be deer legal?

Many thanks for any feedback and sorry for yet another copper thread..

 

[calumb]

Try Edinburgh rifles, good advise from Ed

 

[Donkey Basher]

Hi everyone, I do reload but struggling for time at the moment so I’m looking for an 80gr copper 243 Factory Round that I can keep on hand for when I don’t have time to reload or if it’s dictated by the ground owner. I’m using a 22” Barrel with a 10 twist and I was planning to use Sako Blades but they look to be short of velocity to make them large deer legal.

Has anyone run some Barnes, Federal or Hornady over the chrono and found them to be deer legal?

Many thanks for any feedback and sorry for yet another copper thread..

Not sure where you’re getting your data from but the 243 80gn Sako Powerhead Blades have a published MV of 3166fps which makes 1780ftlb so fine for England large species deer.

 

[Alexj]

Not sure where you’re getting your data from but the 243 80gn Sako Powerhead Blades have a published MV of 3166fps which makes 1780ftlb so fine for England large species deer.

I have only achieved an average velocity of 2992 fps in the same barrel as the OP, giving 1590 ft/lbs with the factory Sako.

 

[devon deer stalker]

Not sure where you’re getting your data from but the 243 80gn Sako Powerhead Blades have a published MV of 3166fps which makes 1780ftlb so fine for England large species deer.

I've seen them in action, they work on deer up to stags as long as you don't push the distance, I keep it below 200m

I reload the Barnes 80g TTSX in my .243 which is a similar bullet to the Blade, it was the same bullet once I believe

 

[Donkey Basher]

I have only achieved an average velocity of 2992 fps in the same barrel as the OP, giving 1590 ft/lbs with the factory Sako.

The manufacturers published data says 3166fps so >1700ftlb so crack on.

 

[rookyshot]

Not sure where you’re getting your data from but the 243 80gn Sako Powerhead Blades have a published MV of 3166fps which makes 1780ftlb so fine for England large species deer.

The power head II states 2920 fps on the box they can in and I’ve just run some over my Garmin C1 and they came in just shy of that at 2856fps. So field testing is where my data came from and unfortunately they do come up short, great round though, grouped well and I’m sure they would knock down anything with the right shot placement.

I also ran a quick ladder test with some Hornady CX which I had loaded up a while back and they were all running over 3200 with no signs of pressure and shot like a laser. 6 x 0.2 grain increments and all were in a group comfortable less than one MOA. Might just get me arse in gear and finish that load development as it looks like an Uber accurate bullet in my rifle.

 

[Cyres]

Hypothetically if you shot and killed a deer how could anybody proof that you shot it with a bullet that may not have been travelling at the appropriate velocity. Box said it does !
I think your over thinking this issue.
D

 

[rookyshot]

Hypothetically if you shot and killed a deer how could anybody proof that you shot it with a bullet that may not have been travelling at the appropriate velocity. Box said it does !
I think your over thinking this issue.
D

Totally agree with you, you’d never be held accountable for a bullet ruining a bit short. Still an interesting exercise today to actually test them. Based on what I saw today I’ll grab a box of Hornady Outfitter with the 80 grain CX bullet as they’re advertised as 3200fps and home loads shot incredibly well.

 

[Stevie/P]

The power head II states 2920 fps on the box they can in and I’ve just run some over my Garmin C1 and they came in just shy of that at 2856fps. So field testing is where my data came from and unfortunately they do come up short, great round though, grouped well and I’m sure they would knock down anything with the right shot placement.

I also ran a quick ladder test with some Hornady CX which I had loaded up a while back and they were all running over 3200 with no signs of pressure and shot like a laser. 6 x 0.2 grain increments and all were in a group comfortable less than one MOA. Might just get me arse in gear and finish that load development as it looks like an Uber accurate bullet in my rifle.

That’s out of your rifle
How long is your barrel?

 

[Heym SR20]

I am using the Fox 80gn Factory load as published on Edinburgh Rifles website. it works very well.

 

[rookyshot]

That’s out of your rifle
How long is your barrel?

It’s a 22” barrel

 

[rookyshot]

It’s a 22” barrel

I’d imagine Sako test their Ammo in at least a 24” barrel to show the performance at its best.

 

[shakey jake]

does any body check the power at range?

 

[Donkey Basher]

The power head II states 2920 fps on the box they can in and I’ve just run some over my Garmin C1 and they came in just shy of that at 2856fps. So field testing is where my data came from and unfortunately they do come up short, great round though, grouped well and I’m sure they would knock down anything with the right shot placement.

I also ran a quick ladder test with some Hornady CX which I had loaded up a while back and they were all running over 3200 with no signs of pressure and shot like a laser. 6 x 0.2 grain increments and all were in a group comfortable less than one MOA. Might just get me arse in gear and finish that load development as it looks like an Uber accurate bullet in my rifle.

From Sako website Sako Powerhead Blade Hunting Ammunition

Published data, stick with it & don’t try to reinvent the wheel

Failing that, join the flat earth mob & bin your 243 because it won’t shoot copper then buy a 6.5CM

 

[rookyshot]

From Sako website Sako Powerhead Blade Hunting Ammunition

Published data, stick with it & don’t try to reinvent the wheel

Failing that, join the flat earth mob & bin your 243 because it won’t shoot copper then buy a 6.5CM

View attachment 443532

Fair point it does feel like I’m squeezing every last bit out of the cartridge, will probably get a 6.5 PRC or 270 barrel at some point soon.

 

[Buzz]

The power head II states 2920 fps on the box they can in and I’ve just run some over my Garmin C1 and they came in just shy of that at 2856fps. So field testing is where my data came from and unfortunately they do come up short, great round though, grouped well and I’m sure they would knock down anything with the right shot placement.

I also ran a quick ladder test with some Hornady CX which I had loaded up a while back and they were all running over 3200 with no signs of pressure and shot like a laser. 6 x 0.2 grain increments and all were in a group comfortable less than one MOA. Might just get me arse in gear and finish that load development as it looks like an Uber accurate bullet in my rifle.

I've just loaded the Hornady GSX which was the one before cx and are all mover the place in a sake s20 1:10 twist loaded 39,40,41 &41gr loads all off and mainly below where 95 set and 100gr interlocking all drill nails is it just the twist. what rifle were you using?

 

[Heym SR20]

I've just loaded the Hornady GSX which was the one before cx and are all mover the place in a sake s20 1:10 twist loaded 39,40,41 &41gr loads all off and mainly below where 95 set and 100gr interlocking all drill nails is it just the twist. what rifle were you using?

What weight bullet GSX? With a 1:10” you probably need to be using an 80 / 85 ish grain copper bullet. I tried the GSX in 7mm and couldn’t get on with them either.

 

[BigT]

The power head II states 2920 fps on the box they can in and I’ve just run some over my Garmin C1 and they came in just shy of that at 2856fps. So field testing is where my data came from and unfortunately they do come up short, great round though, grouped well and I’m sure they would knock down anything with the right shot placement.

I also ran a quick ladder test with some Hornady CX which I had loaded up a while back and they were all running over 3200 with no signs of pressure and shot like a laser. 6 x 0.2 grain increments and all were in a group comfortable less than one MOA. Might just get me arse in gear and finish that load development as it looks like an Uber accurate bullet in my rifle.

Powerhead 2 was their old load with the Barnes bullet

Powerhead Blade replaced it. New in house bullet ans more velocity

 

[Keith Edmunds]

What weight bullet GSX? With a 1:10” you probably need to be using an 80 / 85 ish grain copper bullet. I tried the GSX in 7mm and couldn’t get on with them either.

GMX??