.243 90 gr Sierra Game Changer

[Bater]

Wish they would stabilize in my 10 twist...the 130’s hammer deer/bears out of my 260 near and far

 

[Chipz]

Ever thought about the 87gr Berger VLDs?

 

[Rich M]

I got out again this past Sunday.

Worked w 100 gr NP and have settled on a 2900 fps load, now need to test diff lengths, it's a 1.5 inch load that I'd like to see if can be an inch or less.

Also used pro hunter 100s and had 2 1-inch loads at 2950 and 2965 fps. Will do some length tests and see what else she has in store.

The 90 game changers were 1.5 to 2 inch groups this time around. Found a 3200 fps 1.5 inch group. This is the speed I wanted, now to see if I can cut the group size in half. Will do more powder (.1) and length testing.

Used a chrono and 5 shot groups/readings. The NP had the tightest velocity spread at 35 fps. The others I liked were in the 65 fps spread range.

The 90 GC at 3200 fps is a 500 yard combo if you believe the ballistics, 2000 fps and 1050# of energy at that range. I doubt I'll shoot it at anything past 400 tho.

Not sure if the rifle is up to the task. It's a rem 770 with a Leica er 2.5-10 on it. Will give it another range trip or two and see if we can shrink the groups. If not, will have to make a decision...

 

[ianpadron]

Any more critters harvested with those 90 grain TGKs yet?

I'm planning on running them through my new 243 this fall for deer.

 

[Rich M]

Started plugging away again. Had stopped due to the daytime temps making cooling the barrel difficult. Been in the 90s since April and this week is still 72-74 in am and low 90s most days in pm. Doesn't lend much to shooting "cool" barrels.

Shot 2 weeks ago on a dip in temps - was 64 in am - will try Game Changers again in the future but shot 100 gr Sierra PHs and 100 & 95 gr NPs.

The PH was 3020 fps and shot about an inch at 225. 40.5 gr powder. 2.683 length. Not too shabby. Loaded up 50 of these for hunting loads.

100 NP was 2.5-3 inch at 225, 2950 fps. Same length. Almost there. Loaded up 60 of these.

95 NP was at 3100 but 6+ inches at 225. Need to play with length I guess. At 3100 fps it has 1000#+ at 400 yds according to ballistic calculator.

Will shoot again this week but not really trying new stuff - just setting zero on rifles for smack dead center or a touch high at 225. Looking for a dead hold out to 300. With 100 NP and PH, max rise of about 2.5 inches at 125-150 yds. -3 inches at 275 yds, -5.5 at 300. Very nice, hold a tad high at 300 and dead on out to 275.

Hunting soon.

 

[browning2480]

I have no experience with reloading, but all of my boys have killed multiple deer with 95gr SSTs. No tracking jobs as they just drop. These are decent size Missouri deer. I wasn’t sure how it would do when I bought it for them, but it will lay them flat.

 

[Rich M]

Thanks for your experience - the factory loaded SSTs didn't shoot very well out of my rifle at 200 yards, nor do the Federal copper bullets. It is interestingly stubborn. I'ma gonna log that info away tho - nice to have a bullet that will flatten them.

Think I have some left from the testing - if do, will try em in a diff 243.

 

[MLGrace]

Apparently the TMK is a serious bullet. I picked up some 77s for the .223. However I see that there is a 95 available. Have you thought about this one?

 

[Rich M]

I have no experience with reloading, but all of my boys have killed multiple deer with 95gr SSTs. No tracking jobs as they just drop. These are decent size Missouri deer. I wasn’t sure how it would do when I bought it for them, but it will lay them flat.

Shot yesterday - SSTs shot very well out of a Browning BLR. I had 1.5 boxes and now have about 1/2 box as my dad was having fun with em.

 

[MLGrace]

I load lots of 139 SST bullets for the 7-08. They really shoot nice groups. The reason I chose them was I wanted to have the option of a bonded bullet that would shoot the same POI. So the Hornady bonded in 139 is just that. Almost the same hole. Bet it would be exactly the same in the 243. I am really interested in the 243 but simply do not trust it for more than deer sized game, that is why I previously mentioned the TMK. It might be that ticket For elk sized critters.

 

[Rich M]

I load lots of 139 SST bullets for the 7-08. They really shoot nice groups. The reason I chose them was I wanted to have the option of a bonded bullet that would shoot the same POI. So the Hornady bonded in 139 is just that. Almost the same hole. Bet it would be exactly the same in the 243. I am really interested in the 243 but simply do not trust it for more than deer sized game, that is why I previously mentioned the TMK. It might be that ticket For elk sized critters.

I might get a 7-08 yet. The issue I have is ammo and brass. Can't find much of either down here (FL) but can get tons of 6.5 CM, which is a similar round but a little slower I think.

Not sure what the TMK has going for it as Sierra says not to use it as a hunting bullet - deeper penetration? There is a following.

 

[Rich M]

My 80 yo dad went deer hunting w me and took 243 over 3006. Go figure.

He seen a 6 pt, two 4 pts and an unknown.

Shot a 4 pt at 100 - 125 yds w 100 gr partition at 2950 fps. Bullet entered brisket and was retrieved from rear leg weighing 62.5 gr. Say 30 inches of penetration. It tore up the front half and just walked over to the leg.

Deer lunged at shot and put his antler thru a 3 inch sapling, dad said he had to break the sapling to get it out. Didn't move other than reflex lunge.

 

[FLS]

I’ve used the 165 Gamechangers out of my .308 and the 130s out of my Creedmoor. Accuracy in both rifles was superb and on game performance has been excellent. I’ve got them going 2895 out of a 24” Kreiger barreled Creedmoor. Good combination of penetration and expansion. I’ve killed 4 animals with them in the last several weeks with the 130’s. A pronghorn at 665, complete penetration and good expansion judging by the tissue damage. And 3 whitetails at 310, 320 and 180 yds. Complete penetration and good expansion on all. IME they are stouter constructed than a Nosler Ballistic Tip and as accurate as a Match King. I have no doubt they will perform well out of 6mm/ .243 rifles. I really wish they would build a 115-120 grain version in . 257.