.243w Range.

EDCM

Well-Known Member
Just out of curiosity, has anyone any idea of the maximum TARGET range of a .243win with a fast twist barrel and a slippery bullet (not head).

I have managed to shoot 1000 with Sierra Game Kings, but wondered what was reasonably achievable without going down the MarkandSam AfterWork route.


.243 1 mile

Eddie
 
I use to shoot critters to 400 when I was younger if it helps with just a 3-9 scope.
Hornady sp bt on a case full of 4350.
 
I have shot a .243 win out to a mile. Look at the data rather than listen to people’s opinions. Rifles can be shot in the transonic ranges but a good starting point is to look at how far a bullet stays supersonic. The cartridge will be effective out to this range
 
"Average" max supersonic range of a .243 is generally reckoned to be a shade under 1000 yards. About the same as a .308.
 
A fast-twist 243 with a high-BC match bullet is highly competitive in range disciplines in 1,000 yard matches. Here's what the Berger / Applied Ballistics calculator says for the 105gn Berger Hybrid at 3,100 fps MV in 'standard ballistic conditions'. That 3,100 fps assumes a pretty hot load in a 30-inch barrel. The bullet remains above transsonic speeds to 1,200 yards and supersonic for another 100 yards (speed of sound being ~1,126 fps under standard conditions).

Ballistic Calculator Results

Input Parameters
Bullet Diameter0.243 inchesZero Range100 yards
Bullet Weight105 grainsSight Height1.50 in
Ballistic Coefficient0.275Muzzle Velocity3100 fps
Temperature59 FWind Speed0.00 mph
Altitude0 feetWind Direction9 o'clock
Inclination0 degreesBerger BulletsCopyright 2013




Range Card
Range
(y)
Velocity
(fps)
Energy
(ft-lbs)
Elevation
(inches)
Windage
(inches)
TOF
(s)
100​
2923​
1992​
0.00​
0.00​
0.10​
200​
2751​
1764​
-2.58​
0.00​
0.21​
300​
2584​
1557​
-9.75​
0.00​
0.32​
400​
2423​
1369​
-22.15​
0.00​
0.44​
500​
2267​
1199​
-40.47​
0.00​
0.56​
600​
2118​
1046​
-65.57​
0.00​
0.70​
700​
1974​
909​
-98.43​
0.00​
0.85​
800​
1835​
786​
-140.22​
0.00​
1.00​
900​
1702​
675​
-192.34​
0.00​
1.17​
1000​
1572​
576​
-256.50​
0.00​
1.36​
1100​
1447​
489​
-334.74​
0.00​
1.56​
1200​
1328​
411​
-429.61​
0.00​
1.77​
1300​
1214​
344​
-544.25​
0.00​
2.01​
1400​
1110​
287​
-682.55​
0.00​
2.26​
1500​
1048​
256​
-848.91​
0.00​
2.54​


Google 'John Whidden match shooter'. (John W. is a top US sling and Palma elbows/sling shooter who invariably uses the 243 in US any calibre matches.) Having said that, the plain-Jane 243 Win isn't used much in competition shooting - the 6BR and 6-Dasher give less recoil, better barrel life and higher precision in benchrest matches and the slightly smaller case 6XC or improved / modified 243s are preferred for F-Class and suchlike. John Whidden's longstanding success in top-level competition does show it'll cut the mustard when needed though. It is a barrel burner at this level though.
 
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