1:9 .243 - Bullet Choice

[ktm450]

I got a smoking deal on a new Benelli Lupo in .243 with a 1:9 twist. I am really excited to mess around with the rifle as it has a bunch of “features” that make it unique. We will see if they make any difference or not. I want to use it for deer/elk and have scoured every thread on bullet selection. There is a ton of info on 1:10 twist and 1:8 twist. I want a reasonable assurance that the bullets I buy will stabilize. I can easily get most Hornady’s and Berger’s across all weights, so I would like to start there.

What bullet does Rokslide recommend for a 1:9 twist?

 

[Natebonebusta]

95gr Nosler BT’s stabilize just fine out of my 1:9.25 savage 16fcss. 80gr Barnes Tsx were acceptable also.

I would think the 103eldx would be one of the best choices for that twist rate.

 

[ktm450]

Thanks. The 103 ELD-X are at the top of my list and may just buy a box and try them. I am a bit worried about stabilization, but it may be worth the gamble.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Get a box of the 95 SST's while you're at it. They will likely shoot really well and they kill very well.

 

[vonb]

Speer 100 gr SPBT. They are cheap and shoot flat. They are also pretty soft.

 

[Axlrod]

I have shot a lot of 105 gr Bergers out of a 9 twist, and they shot really well. It's the heaviest I tried in that gun, but any bullet with similar length should work for you.

 

[MT-nuffgun]

We are shooting the 105 hornady hpbt out of my daughters 9.25 twist savage axis with great results. Wound channels from that bullet look good on the 243/6mm kill thread. We will see this fall.

 

[ctafoya]

95 SST's shoot light out in my Savage. My kids have ended a lot of javelina with that bullet.

 

[Bater]

90/100 Sierra TGK’s

 

[satchamo]

I’d try the 103 ELDX…. But understand the hesitation because it’s borderline. If that doesn’t work as others have said, 95 SSTs are good. The SSTs fly under the radar here but in my experience theyre absolutely deadly.

 

[BeerBugler]

I couldn’t shoot 103’s out of my 9.25 but the 95 grain Bergers shoot lights out. I have been happy with terminal performance.

 

[CJ_BG]

I've shot my 9tw 243 for 11 years now, if you can ever find 95 TMK that's pretty much "the" bullet as long as you're looking to maximize killing potential. I have not tried the 103 eld-x but if it performs anything like the old 105 a max and you can stabilize it it should be great. The 105 hornady bthp is also good.

If you don't need high bc my favorite so far terminally was the 95 partition, especially at higher impacts. 95 ballistic tips are also always a good choice. 95 bergers perform how you'd expect a berger to, if you like berger performance then they're great as well.