Savage Pre-fit: 243 Winchester

[redmister]

I am considering a build in 243 Winchester that will accurately handle either the 58-grain V-max or 55-grain Noser BT. Ideally I want this barrel in a light varmint configuraton at about 22-inch length. The rig will be used for long distance chucking as well as the occasional coyote. I'm looking for experiences with comparable builds. Thanks in advance.

[scope eye]

The standard twist for a 243 is 9.25, which is a little fast for those bullets, it still gets the job done just not ideal, what you want is a 12 twist the 22 inch barrel is a little short for me, but you should still be able to attain 4000 FPS, and still shoot some of the heavier stuff, they AI is also a good option you might want to look in to, since you can shoot non AI until you are set up with dies ect, that being said those rounds are a blast to shoot,

Tanks Dean

[5spd]

Midwayusa has the 24" sporter SS ERshaw kit in stock right now.
Darn accurate w/both bullets on my build, but I settled on the 65g vmax for coyotes/varmints.
You can always have it cut down 2", you can also spend 3x more on a bbl also. I have had nothing but shooters from ERshaw.

[redmister]

Scope Eye - Thanks for the input. I'm leaning toward a 12-twist barrel and it doesn't look like there's one sittin' around anywhere. I'm not in a big hurry as I'm trying to fill a current void between my 20 and 22-caliber pig rigs, and my 260 Rem. As long as I'm up and running by Memorial Day I'll be in good shape for the PA chucks I'll be pursuing.

[redmister]

Thanks 5spd, I'll give Midway a look. Given the harvests that you've posted I certainly can't question the endorsement. What's your favorite fuel in that rig?

[scope eye]

Take my word for it, you will never find a 12 twist 243 on the shelf anywhere, you will end up having to order one, if that's what you really want.

Tanks Dean

[Westcliffe01]

Lilja is listing a few barrels (in stock) that might fit your requirements http://www.riflebarrels.com/products/in-stock_barrel.htm
.243-12 3-groove SS Remington Varmint contour $335
.243-14 3-groove SS HV taper $335
Sounds like they may still need the threads cut to screw into your receiver. You will have to call and ask.

Shilen could certainly make one for you. Below are the twists they offer in 6mm.

6mm/.243
- 8" Special for VLD bullets over 100 gr.
- 8" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 10" For bullets up to 95 gr. and VLD under 100 gr.
- 12" for bullets up to 85 gr.
- 13" * for bullets up to 75 gr.
- 13.5" * for bullets up to 70 gr.
- 14" * for bullets up to 70 gr.
- 14" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 15" * Special for bullets up to 70 gr.

[5spd]

Thanks 5spd, I'll give Midway a look. Given the harvests that you've posted I certainly can't question the endorsement. What's your favorite fuel in that rig?
My coyote load is 49g W760 with a 55g CT & 58g vmax. Antelope is with varget & 80g ttsx & w760 & 95g Nosler HBT & W760
The midwayusa ERshaw bbl is 1/10" twist, same as in my 6x45 and it shoots every bullet into small holes at the range.

[snowgetter1]

I have a Savage factory varmint that shoots bugholes with everything from 55gr to 105gr. No idea what the twist is but it shoots. Really likes 58gr Z-Max.

[scope eye]

Hey Snowgetter Any Savage factory 243 is 9.25 twist.

Dean

[redmister]

Thanks guys. Do you have an idea of the muzzle velocity you're obtaining with the 55 to 58 grain bullets in the barrels with 9 to 10 inches/twist? I think I can probably make the 10-twist barrel stabilize the light bullets but at what velocity expense?

[5spd]

Thanks guys. Do you have an idea of the muzzle velocity you're obtaining with the 55 to 58 grain bullets in the barrels with 9 to 10 inches/twist? I think I can probably make the 10-twist barrel stabilize the light bullets but at what velocity expense?
My stock .243 Savage bbl is the 1/9.25" twist and I get 3889 w/ both the 55 CT coated & 58g vmax.
I can run them closer to 4000fps, but that is my most accurate load/speed using w760 & no reason for more speed for coyote.
I see no reason why the 1/10 would not spit them at that or faster & be very accurate.

In my 6x45 w/the 1/10" twist I run the 58gvmax at 3258 fps, but of course thats a smaller case.

[scope eye]

I had a CBI 243cal 9 twist 26" and those 55gr and 58gr would vaporize at anything over 4000, now I have a McGowen 12 twist 26" and can send those same 55 and 58 grainer's 4200+ FPS no problem,

Tanks Dean

[seanhagerty]

I have a blued 243 barrel I would part with. PM me if interested,

[Smokey262]

I have not tried bullets that light in the 243 yet but have had awesome velocity and accuracy with Nosler 70gr ballistic tips. This was in a stock twist barrel

[stomp442]

Why such a light weight bullet for long range? At longer ranges the lower b.c. of the 55s has bled off so much energy and velocity whats the point. Shoot an 85 or heavier to get the best long range punch. Thats just my thinking. 85s work great on yotes and if you are wanting to save pelts why are you shootig a .243 in the first place?

I have tried acheiving the 4000 fps mark in two different .243s and have never been able to get anything over 3800, one with a 9.25 and the other with a 10 twist rifle. The .22-250 shooting the same 55 grain bullet has a better b.c. and can acheive the same 3800 fps. Why reinvent the wheel and use more powder to do the same thing the .22-250 will?

[Russell D]

last spring I built my buddy a rem 700 with a 13twist 5r barrel. I worked up loads for him and the most accurate load was 52.5gr of H414 behind a 58gr a-max, a three shot group was about .150" and the average speed was 4308fps iirc.

I can't wait to take this gun prarie dog hunting this summer!

I'm building myself a 6mm rem AI in the next week or two and I have a few boxes of 55gr nosler balistic tips to use, I'm using another 13 twist 4 groove barrel and I'm told I may get more speed than the 243 i built. The prarie dogs won't have a chance!

[snowgetter1]

Fast is fun for some reason. Love the 243 and I have a 243 wssm in a nitrided barrel that gets 3950 with 70gr bullets love it.

[243LPR]

Where you hunting whistle pigs in Pa.?

[Appleseed]

I have not tried bullets that light in the 243 yet but have had awesome velocity and accuracy with Nosler 70gr ballistic tips. This was in a stock twist barrel

Same here. The factory barrel shoots the 55gr, but I didn't like the extra powder load. The 70 noslers worked fine with deer and varmints.