.243 non toxic ammo

[Nickb]

I currently shoot 100 grn lead through my .243 which is a Tikka T3

Now that the imminent ban is getting closer what do people recommend I switch to ?

Never used copper or know anybody that does so what are your recommendations and cost ?

Also any updates whether or not the .243 will still be banned from using lead as per the initial government response.

 

[Mike1979]

Factory?

I used some 80 grn Sako blades but wasnt overly impressed ...but I also think my sound mod was giving up at the same point so not sure if its was a fair reflection on the .243...

Sticking with the creed for the non toxic at the mo and hoping .243 gets an exemption

 

[Heym SR20]

I am using 80 gn Fox bullets - they work. I am using a 30 plus year old Heym.

The 243 will be included in the lead ban.

I would also add that not all copper bullets are created equal and rifles do have preferences.

And you do have to change your way of thinking. With a traditional soft lead 243 behind the shoulder shot the bullet will fragment like a grenade causing massive damage to the heart and lungs. Red hinds would typically run for a few seconds and fall over. If you put such a bullet on the shoulder, you blow the shoulder up but would not get good penetration. Certainly that was my experience of 100gn RWS T Mantle ammunition.

Dropping down to an 80gn copper bullet you gain quite a bit of velocity and thus energy is still similar to 100gn bullet. Trajectory is flatter at normal stalking ranges. 80, 85 gn copper bullets stabilise and shoot well in traditional 1 in 10“ twist 243s.

But a monolithic kills differently. It stays in one piece and cuts a core through the animal, with a temporary cavity of about 4 to 6” in diameter around the bullet path.

Given the bullet penetrates very well the forward / high shoulder HILAR shot placement works very much better. This causes massive damage to blood vessels but also stuns the animal on the spot. Meat damage is minimal. If the bullet goes behind the shoulder it will still a terminal shot, but they can run quite a bit further.

Shooting of any type is all about muscle memory and you need to force yourself to go up the front side of the foreleg.

I have had a couple of red deer hinds recently where I have forgotten this and they have gone a bit further than I would have liked before collapsing.

 

[seedawood]

I presently use Hornady 'Superformance' 80gr in a Sako 85 to very good effect. My experience is that the faster non toxic are pushed the better.

 

[Nickb]

Factory?

I used some 80 grn Sako blades but wasnt overly impressed ...but I also think my sound mod was giving up at the same point so not sure if its was a fair reflection on the .243...

Sticking with the creed for the non toxic at the mo and hoping .243 gets an exemption

Yep factory as I dont reload.

 

[Nickb]

I presently use Hornady 'Superformance' 80gr in a Sako 85 to very good effect. My experience is that the faster non toxic are pushed the better.

Is that Hornady GMX ? £50 a box ?

 

[Nickb]

I am using 80 gn Fox bullets - they work. I am using a 30 plus year old Heym.

The 243 will be included in the lead ban.

I would also add that not all copper bullets are created equal and rifles do have preferences.

And you do have to change your way of thinking. With a traditional soft lead 243 behind the shoulder shot the bullet will fragment like a grenade causing massive damage to the heart and lungs. Red hinds would typically run for a few seconds and fall over. If you put such a bullet on the shoulder, you blow the shoulder up but would not get good penetration. Certainly that was my experience of 100gn RWS T Mantle ammunition.

Dropping down to an 80gn copper bullet you gain quite a bit of velocity and thus energy is still similar to 100gn bullet. Trajectory is flatter at normal stalking ranges. 80, 85 gn copper bullets stabilise and shoot well in traditional 1 in 10“ twist 243s.

But a monolithic kills differently. It stays in one piece and cuts a core through the animal, with a temporary cavity of about 4 to 6” in diameter around the bullet path.

Given the bullet penetrates very well the forward / high shoulder HILAR shot placement works very much better. This causes massive damage to blood vessels but also stuns the animal on the spot. Meat damage is minimal. If the bullet goes behind the shoulder it will still a terminal shot, but they can run quite a bit further.

Shooting of any type is all about muscle memory and you need to force yourself to go up the front side of the foreleg.

I have had a couple of red deer hinds recently where I have forgotten this and they have gone a bit further than I would have liked before collapsing.

Are these factory or homeloads ?

 

[Heym SR20]

Are these factory or homeloads ?

I use the factory data in my own homeloads. Only difference is that I use RWS as opposed to PPU cases. I did test a number of the initial loads as the factory ammo was being developed, but most of development was done in Tikka T3.

 

[Nickb]

I use the factory data in my own homeloads. Only difference is that I use RWS as opposed to PPU cases. I did test a number of the initial loads as the factory ammo was being developed, but most of development was done in Tikka T3.

Im after factory ammo as dont homeload

 

[monarman]

Barnes we're good in the short time I used a 243 before going creed.... a mate uses the hornady outfitter with cx bullet in 80 grain and his rifle.likes it (browning a-bolt).
Different rifles like different ammo so the best suggestion is to try what you can get hold of and use the most accurate of the bunch.
Have a trip down the A1 to Northallerton shooting and countrywear as they have a good selection of non toxic in most caliber but at least 4 in 243 (barnes, hornady, sako, for definite) and are good to deal with (not to mention a good stock of shotguns and rifles).

 

[Happy stalker]

I have the same Tikka T3 I changed over to 80gr when the law changed they work well for me on hill stags at normal stalking ranges.

 

[Heym SR20]

Im after factory ammo as dont homeload

Fox Ammo is readily available as factory loaded ammo.

More details

Non Lead Bullets and Ammunition – Edinburgh Rifles

 

[Smellydog]

what are your recommendations

Stock up and shut up....

 

[Happy stalker]

Federal power shock copper is what I use

 

[Dave_45]

Sako blades were quite frankly pathetic in my 243

Homeloaded Barnes 80gr ttsx are very effective

 

[Auroch]

Currently using 80gr hornady cx in one rifle for roe and occasional red calf and 85gr Winchester copper impact when I’m out more specifically for reds - both have 1:10 twist barrels. I’ve also tried the 85gr federal copper hollow point. The cx and federal have given the best accuracy - both 1/2 moa, with the Winchester coming in 1 to 1.5 moa. Early days with the cx, but finding it to be the best balanced bullet of the 3 - good terminal performance, even with more traditional placement behind the front leg out to over 200m, and frangible enough for neck shots closer. The federal, being a hollow point, hits quite hard but has a poor bc - I’ve found it pencils through if it doesn’t hit bone beyond 180m. The Winchester has been a bit strange - the large polymer tip and cavity transfer energy well within 150m (almost too well on roe at closer range) but has also pencilled on reds unless you hit the shoulder in ranges beyond 200m. 23 roe and red with the federal, 22 with the Winchester and 7 so far with the cx - not a huge sample size but enough for me to draw conclusions in the first 2.

 

[Nimrod1960]

80gr hornady cx in 1:10 24" Shultz and Larsen, no problems inc Sika Hinds

 

[farrieral]

80 grain TTSX, been shooting them for a while now, many big bodied fallow bucks and red hinds taken thus far.

A 71kg red hind (lowland) being the last beast taken with the TTSX this weekend, punched straight through, quartering on quite steeply, the bullet did some serious work internally... I shoot the 130s in my .308, really rate the bullet

 

[Jamesneale89]

I currently shoot 100 grn lead through my .243 which is a Tikka T3

Now that the imminent ban is getting closer what do people recommend I switch to ?

Never used copper or know anybody that does so what are your recommendations and cost ?

Also any updates whether or not the .243 will still be banned from using lead as per the initial government response.

Dropped you a text Nicky

 

[Nickb]

80 grain TTSX, been shooting them for a while now, many big bodied fallow bucks and red hinds taken thus far.

A 71kg red hind (lowland) being the last beast taken with the TTSX this weekend, punched straight through, quartering on quite steeply, the bullet did some serious work internally... I shoot the 130s in my .308, really rate the bullet

Are these factory ?