.243w Range.

[EDCM]

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

 

[Smellydog]

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.

 

[RCS Deer Management]

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

 

[User00035]

"Average" max supersonic range of a .243 is generally reckoned to be a shade under 1000 yards. About the same as a .308.

 

[Laurie]

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 Diameter	0.243 inches	Zero Range	100 yards
Bullet Weight	105 grains	Sight Height	1.50 in
Ballistic Coefficient	0.275	Muzzle Velocity	3100 fps
Temperature	59 F	Wind Speed	0.00 mph
Altitude	0 feet	Wind Direction	9 o'clock
Inclination	0 degrees	Berger Bullets	Copyright 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.