Range of .243

[spleify]

So this whole long range shooting is new to me and before now, I was a 100yd guy and 10yd pistol stuff. I am looking to start stretching my wings and reach out a little bit.

I have a .243 Ruger M77 that I was out with last weekend set a target out at 300yds and was quite successful at hitting it usually 9 out of 10 times.

Shot 70gr, 80gr and 100gr all handloads by me with brass that has been fired in this rifle before.

I acquired the rifle from an old timer that used this gun for long range match shooting and claimed he was Colorado long rang champ more than once. Trigger is about 1.5 lbs pull and is smooth as silk.

My question is, how far can I really expect to get out of this rifle and what would be the best grain weight for the bullet. I'm not looking for effective range in taking down an animal, just steel or paper targets.

I also have a 30-06 that I know will reach farther, but that can be another discussion. You can still add info on the 30-06 though if you like.

Thanks for the help.

[C Ward]

With the right bullets , 115's , the 243 is a 12 - 1300 yd gun . The 115's have to use a faster than standard twist barrel , 1 - 8 IIRC , to get them to fly . Even with the 105 - 107 ' s the caliber will work out to 1K easily .

The stuff that I typicaly shoot , steel plate field courses , the target needs to move so the spotter can call the hit most of the times . With the 6mm's even the heavy bullets sometimes make calling a hit hard even for experienced spotters . Shooting paper it wont matter though .

Lots of info at these links ,
http://demigodllc.com/articles/pract...ing-equipment/

http://demigodllc.com/articles/pract...ooting-optics/

http://demigodllc.com/articles/pract...ting-shooting/

Stuff to shoot ,
http://sportingriflematch.com/

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37424

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6763

[spleify]

Wow, great info cward, I have some reading to do now.

Hey just an fyi cward, check out these threads.

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33477

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34009

[banks74]

I spotted for a guy using 115's at a match last year, and it was tricky on some of the far plates to spot hits.

[spleify]

I spotted for a guy using 115's at a match last year, and it was tricky on some of the far plates to spot hits.

What ranges was he shooting at?

[Hoser]

What ranges was he shooting at?

I was shooting from 250-800 yards.

I am going to use the 115s again this year (I have over 3K of them on the shelf) and have absolutely no desire to change to a 260 even though I have a 260 barrel for my AI.