.243 ammo

[eightpointer]

Been using Core Lokt 100 grain in Son's rifle. KInda thinkin bout maybe something with a bit more punch but don't see anything bigger than 100 grain. Is there a better ammo option that is more than 100 grain, or a brand/type yall prefer better? Don't really wanna get a bigger gun right now. Opinions please..

 

[Benelli 4 Life]

My step son uses corelokts in his 243 too, we have never had a problem with em but I was thinkin bout switchin him to Hornaday Superformance with a 80gr GMX bullet.

 

[REN]

95 grain Barnes, Nosler Partitons or 95grain federal fusion would be great choices.

I personally shoot the Fusions but all 3 of those are great bullets. It's not the total grains that you should consider as much as the performance of the bullet from a ballistics standpoint.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

Hornady 95gr SST

 

[280longshot]

As far as your question, there are some options if you reload. Berger makes a 105 grain VLD. I've heard it takes a different twist rate to stabilize it.

 

[BigD_625]

As far as weight, you probably won't find anything over 100gr. As far as punch, I would try federal fusion or winchester power max.

 

[Gravey]

My son and I both shoot the 95 grain Fusions. They're wicked. So much so that I'm gonna try them in my .270.

 

[BigD_625]

My son and I both shoot the 95 grain Fusions. They're wicked. So much so that I'm gonna try them in my .270.

I bought some .243 fusion last year that were moly coated. The ones I bought this year weren't. I'm not sure why they changed it.

 

[eightpointer]

Thanks a bunch guys. Just may give the Fusions a whirl. As far as sighting in...will they shoot like the core lokt or sight in again?

 

[280longshot]

They should be close,but you are comparing a Remington 100gr vs a Federal 95gr. Always sight in with all ammo regardless of weight or manufacture.

 

[Model70Man]

95 gr Fusions hit like Thor's Hammer. Awesome bullet.

 

[eightpointer]

Do they just expand better than core lokts or just travel faster or what? Hope that don't sound like a stupid question.

 

[GREATWHITEHUNTER82]

Winchester power max they are a hollow point and work great

 

[rem270]

hornady sst.

 

[BigD_625]

Do they just expand better than core lokts or just travel faster or what? Hope that don't sound like a stupid question.

Bonded bullet that holds it's weight really well.

 

[eightpointer]

95 gr Fusions hit like Thor's Hammer. Awesome bullet.

I like that.

 

[Gravey]

Thanks a bunch guys. Just may give the Fusions a whirl. As far as sighting in...will they shoot like the core lokt or sight in again?

Should be close. I couldn't find any fusions a year or two ago and bought the core lokts for back-up. Shot one in my son's gun and it was right there.

 

[DaveB]

Anything heavier than 100 grain you have to move away from factory barrels, twist rate is not fast enough. You may be able to find some 105 grain factory but for sure, 95 or 100 is plenty good medicine.

 

[REN]

I personally would stay way from Hollow Point bullets in the 243. I shoot 85grain Sierra HP bullets for YEARS with good results...HOWEVER you hit a big bone like a shoulder blade a HP bullet in a very fast shooting gun can present some issues on impact.

I would personally stick with a bonded bullet or something that will retain most of its weight. The fusion is a good bullet and there are others that are just as good.

I went away from the Core Lokts personally due to the fact that they can have issues with jackets separating as well as very high fragment rate. While a widely used shell they are inexpensive for a reason.

My logic is (especially with a 243 which i still use btw) you have a lot of money tied up in stands, gun, scope and accessories why scrimp on the ammo. Good ammo is only a few dollars more then the cheap stuff so while not just spend the extra $8-$12 on it. Most people can have a box last 2-3 years so in reality it is not that much of an extra cost.

Winchester Power points and Remington Core Lokts are OK bullets that will do the job majority of the time, but you can get MUCH better for not much more money. Is that extra $5 worth the risk of losing a deer of a lifetime??

 

[BigD_625]

The winchester power max are hp, but they are bonded as well.

 

[Mid]

Everyone in my family runs (Wife, 21yr old son, and me) .243's...all are Savage/Stevens. I have tried several combinations 87grHPBT's, 90&95 Corlokt's, 100gr SPBT's etc...the drop dead right there knock them in the dirt shoot the wings off a fly deadly accurate was 105AMAX! i run them hard in 1:9.25 barrel as they WILL NOT STABILIZE in anything slower. some of the older remmy's are 1:9 and most of the newer savage/stevens are the 1:9.25 and will shoot the very well but most likely be a max+ load so WORK UP SLOWLY and keep an eye out for pressure signs. Never had a deer/coyote/giraffalope walk away for this one....and have rang steel plate at 750 with only 18.5MOA of dial up

 

[eightpointer]

Anxious to try the Fusions.

 

[BigD_625]

Anxious to try the Fusions.

You won't be disappointed.

 

[eightpointer]

Thanks for all the help fellas.

 

[JoshDosMil]

bang for the buck, federal fusions have never let the 243 down