New to rifles, advice about .243 ammunition would be appreciated

[Zauber]

Hey everyone, I've just picked up my first rifle. I got a Tikka T3x lite .243 with 1/8 ratio. I'm pretty new to rifles having only just started stalking so a lot of this is new to me. This was the calibre that the FAO was happy to give me.

I've only just become aware of the controversy around the lead ban and the negative affect it can have on the .243 calibre, but my understanding is that a fast twist ratio like 1/8 hopefully mitigates some of these concerns?

Anyway, what I'm primarily hoping for help with is ammunition.

I'd like to get some bullets to use at the range so I can start practicing using the gun and of course learning how to properly zero it and get more comfortable using it. What ammunition should I be using? The gun shop told me that FMJ is preferred at ranges but he had none and said I would really struggle.

I will mostly be using the rifle for deer stalking, specifically roe deer to begin with anyway. What ammunition should I be using for that?

I'm very keen to learn how all the different ammunition is different and how I can learn which to choose for different use cases. Any help is hugely appreciated.

Thanks all

 

[Tim.243]

Hey everyone, I've just picked up my first rifle. I got a Tikka T3x lite .243 with 1/8 ratio. I'm pretty new to rifles having only just started stalking so a lot of this is new to me. This was the calibre that the FAO was happy to give me.

I've only just become aware of the controversy around the lead ban and the negative affect it can have on the .243 calibre, but my understanding is that a fast twist ratio like 1/8 hopefully mitigates some of these concerns?

Anyway, what I'm primarily hoping for help with is ammunition.

I'd like to get some bullets to use at the range so I can start practicing using the gun and of course learning how to properly zero it and get more comfortable using it. What ammunition should I be using? The gun shop told me that FMJ is preferred at ranges but he had none and said I would really struggle.

I will mostly be using the rifle for deer stalking, specifically roe deer to begin with anyway. What ammunition should I be using for that?

I'm very keen to learn how all the different ammunition is different and how I can learn which to choose for different use cases. Any help is hugely appreciated.

Thanks all

Expanding ammunition for quarry ie deer! ( it is in the firearms guidance notes)
Had you guide/mentor not told you?

 

[Zauber]

Expanding ammunition for quarry ie deer! ( it is in the firearms guidance notes)
Had you guide/mentor not told you?

Hey, what I'm not sure about is how people choose which grain to use and how people choose from the overwhelming choice of brands.

 

[Pedro]

Different rifles like different ammo. Even the same model of rifle can differ in what ammo works best with them. However, pretty much all factory ammo will work pretty well. So, to start with, you are better off buying smaller amounts of different ammo and trying them out. They usually come in boxes of 20. As for FMJ ammo, yes, often ranges will prefer them but that is by no means universal and after all, if you are wanting to try and zero your rifle with the ammo you want to go stalking with, then that's the way forward really and that of course won't be FMJ. I'd stick to well known makes in the main. It's more likely the availability will be better. As for what specific specifications of ammo you need, that'll depend on a number of factors, amongst them being what species of deer you are stalking and at what ranges.

 

[Zauber]

Different rifles like different ammo. Even the same model of rifle can differ in what ammo works best with them. However, pretty much all factory ammo will work pretty well. So, to start with, you are better off buying smaller amounts of different ammo and trying them out. They usually come in boxes of 20. As for FMJ ammo, yes, often ranges will prefer them but that is by no means universal and after all, if you are wanting to try and zero your rifle with the ammo you want to go stalking with, then that's the way forward really and that of course won't be FMJ. I'd stick to well known makes in the main. It's more likely the availability will be better. As for what specific specifications of ammo you need, that'll depend on a number of factors, amongst them being what species of deer you are stalking and at what ranges.

Thanks for the tips. I thought there would be a bit more to it than that, but it sounds like it's a case of experimenting and seeing what works well!

 

[Stevie/P]

Federal power shock 100gr is a good starting point most gun shops will stock it
Edit
Don’t worry about thumb nail size groups for stalking inch half plenty good enough.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Federal power shock 100gr is a good starting point most gun shops will stock it

Surely, the man should start with non-lead ammunition for his stalking?

Regards

JCS

 

[Stevie/P]

Surely, the man should start with non-lead ammunition for his stalking?

Regards

JCS

Good point yes he should

 

[Tim.243]

Hey, what I'm not sure about is how people choose which grain to use and how people choose from the overwhelming choice of brands.

Ok as an example I use in my .243 a 95gn round by Hornady for everything from foxes to Red Deer the reason I use these is some of my ground holds reds but I also shoot muntjac on there so if a Red steps out and in season then the 95gn round works well.
If it is a blank I will carry on and see if I can knock off a fox.

 

[Tim.243]

Good point yes he should

I don't

 

[Stevie/P]

I don't

Me neither

 

[Klenchblaize]

Its a sad world indeed when FEO's are telling FAC Applicants what rifle chambering they may apply for!

Whatever happened to the rifleman/hunter enthusiast who knew exactly what THEY wanted, born of both research and a passionate interest in fine sporting fowling peices??

I truly despair at the oft' demonstrable lack of imagination and passion around firearms ownership in 2025.

K

 

[Stevie/P]

I truly despair at the oft' demonstrable lack of imagination and passion around firearms ownership in 2025.

And it will only get worse

 

[tom308w]

Your rifle is perfect twistfor none toxic ammo.the lead will be banned in a couple of years. I would suggest.buying a coupleofboxs of different none toxic and see what the rifle likes.but my first choice would be sako blades in that rifle.
Atb tom

 

[Zauber]

Your rifle is perfect twistfor none toxic ammo.the lead will be banned in a couple of years. I would suggest.buying a coupleofboxs of different none toxic and see what the rifle likes.but my first choice would be sako blades in that rifle.
Atb tom

Thanks for the advice, I will check that out.

 

[Zauber]

Its a sad world indeed when FEO's are telling FAC Applicants what rifle chambering they may apply for!

Whatever happened to the rifleman/hunter enthusiast who knew exactly what THEY wanted, born of both research and a passionate interest in fine sporting fowling peices??

I truly despair at the oft' demonstrable lack of imagination and passion around firearms ownership in 2025.

K

Thanks for you contribution to the thread, it was very helpful.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Thanks for the advice, I will check that out.

Non toxic for general plinking is EXPENSIVE, no ifs, no buts, no maybes. I'd probably suggest buying federal blue box 80g or 100g as most rifles will shoot them somewhat straight and they're not too bad a price.

Use something like that or a hornady equivalent if you can get it cheap and have a few range days to get to grips. Once you're semi proficient and have a bit more experience behind you, if you wish to try lead free, you will have somewhat of an idea of how you find the rifle

 

[3595wilk]

As you have wisely chosen a faster twist .243, you will be able to stabilise most commercially available copper monolithic ammunition - which tends to be in the 80-90 grain range. Starting from scratch, it's probably easier to start out using copper ammunition now, ahead of any likely change.

Shooting predominately in Scotland - if you decide to use copper - you can still chose from a selection of commercial monolithic ammunition for Roe, but do face some restrictions for larger species. I'd recommend having a look at the link below to understand what your situation is around larger species, if you are not familiar with it.

Deer authorisations

For Roe in Scotland the only restrictions you have is the ammunition you choose should be a bullet of an expanding type, a minimum of 50 grains, a minimum muzzle velocity of 2,450 feet per second, and a minimum muzzle energy of 1,000 foot-pounds.

So, potential choices in copper for you would be things like:

Hornady Outfitter with the CX projectile
Federal Trophy Copper
Sako Powerhead Blade
Lapua Naturalis.

All of these would be suitable for Roe - but some of these may not make the minimum muzzle energy requirements for the larger species. You may eventually choose to go down the handloading route which would resolve that issue.

In the meantime, I would look at Fox monolithics - available as a commercial option - from Edinburgh Rifles. They meet the requirements for all species in Scotland, and a quick message or call to them should point you towards a seller near to you if a trip to Edinburgh is a long trek.

Enjoy using your new rifle.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

For target, the cheapest thing that will group.

Learn your rifle/how to shoot then just
zero for the good stuff and off you go.

Once youve learnt you can zero on a few rounds. Im just keeping a box or two of stalking ammo in the safe then using target fodder for practice

 

[Tim.243]

Thanks for you contribution to the thread, it was very helpful.

Before they go in the bin, both shot with the same round (95gn) from the .243.
Pictures tell the real story.
Tim.243