6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

[Formidilosus]

Believe he meant "what made you choose the tmk over eldm". I'm also curious of your answer.

Ahh. Drive by reading.

Sorry if I missed it but would made you choose the 95tmk over the 108eldm?

TMK’s are nearly ideal in construction and design. They have a lower consistent upset velocity, and a more oval or football shaped wound. In most cases they create the largest wounds in the respective class while still reaching sufficient penetration depth.

 

[longrangelead]

I saw this thread and it got me thinking, I was headed to Washington for the 4 day late buck hunt on Thursday last week so I decided to slap together a backpack rifle in 243 for the hunt.

The only deer appropriate bullet I had was 85gr TSX BT's. over 41gr I4350 I was getting 3000 from the factory 20" barrel. I decided last minute to cut it down to 16.25". I got 2800 then.

After 8hrs driving and 4hrs sleep, I hit my favorite spot Friday morning. A few hrs later I found a bedded doe and then this buck.

These threads are focused on other bullets so I won't bore you with Barnes performance. It was what you would expect. One to the shoulder, one to the neck.

My best blacktail to date @ 19.5" wide.

 

[WestTN2288]

Ahh. Drive by reading.





TMK’s are nearly ideal in construction and design. They have a lower consistent upset velocity, and a more oval or football shaped wound. In most cases they create the largest wounds in the respective class while still reaching sufficient penetration depth.

Do you find the lowest penetration velocity by shooting? Or is there a bullet construction metric that you’re watching?

Also, thanks for all the information and input. I know it helps me immensely

 

[khuber84]

I saw this thread and it got me thinking, I was headed to Washington for the 4 day late buck hunt on Thursday last week so I decided to slap together a backpack rifle in 243 for the hunt.

Tell me about that chassis, is see it's mdt skeleton stock, but what's the chassis itself?

 

[longrangelead]

Tell me about that chassis, is see it's mdt skeleton stock, but what's the chassis itself?

Ultradyne 5"(5" forend)
I chose it because it is so short but has the integral arca rail. The chassis is pretty light but the butt makes up for it. weighs 9 pounds pictured.

 

[Formidilosus]

Do you find the lowest penetration velocity by shooting? Or is there a bullet construction metric that you’re watching?

Shooting into calibrated 10% organic gel and live tissue.

Also, thanks for all the information and input. I know it helps me immensely

You are welcome.

 

[LostWapiti]

Alright y'all. I'm going to sip the Koolaid. After a successful year hunting with my custom 300WSM and Berger 215s, I just ordered a Threaded Tikka 243 1:8 from Cabela's for just over ~$1k, decent deals right now with the sale+Monday discount+Rebate.

Planning to load it up with Hornady 109s because I have a pile of them for my PRS gun. Hoping to push those at 3000fps out of the 22" barrel which will be suppressed. The numbers look very deadly out to at least 750 yards. I'm excited.

Is that velocity too optimistic? Powder recommendations? I'm assuming Lapua brass is the way.

 

[sveltri]

Alright y'all. I'm going to sip the Koolaid. After a successful year hunting with my custom 300WSM and Berger 215s, I just ordered a Threaded Tikka 243 1:8 from Cabela's for just over ~$1k, decent deals right now with the sale+Monday discount+Rebate.

Planning to load it up with Hornady 109s because I have a pile of them for my PRS gun. Hoping to push those at 3000fps out of the 22" barrel which will be suppressed. The numbers look very deadly out to at least 750 yards. I'm excited.

Is that velocity too optimistic? Powder recommendations? I'm assuming Lapua brass is the way.

I bought the same gun and rechambered to 243 AI. 3154 with 108 eldm and h4831sc. Don’t think you’ll have too much trouble getting to 3k.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Alright y'all. I'm going to sip the Koolaid. After a successful year hunting with my custom 300WSM and Berger 215s, I just ordered a Threaded Tikka 243 1:8 from Cabela's for just over ~$1k, decent deals right now with the sale+Monday discount+Rebate.

Planning to load it up with Hornady 109s because I have a pile of them for my PRS gun. Hoping to push those at 3000fps out of the 22" barrel which will be suppressed. The numbers look very deadly out to at least 750 yards. I'm excited.

Is that velocity too optimistic? Powder recommendations? I'm assuming Lapua brass is the way.

Imo you will be on the ragged edge at 3000. Mine will get into the 2900s no prob but started seeing pressure in the Texas heat. If your higher in elevation and cooler temps most of the year prob fine.

 

[sierracharlie338]

I bought the same gun and rechambered to 243 AI. 3154 with 108 eldm and h4831sc. Don’t think you’ll have too much trouble getting to 3k.

What’s your load out of curiosity? I’m running 4831sc as well but regular 243.

 

[LostWapiti]

I bought the same gun and rechambered to 243 AI. 3154 with 108 eldm and h4831sc. Don’t think you’ll have too much trouble getting to 3k.

Did you rechamber the factory barrel or new barrel? 243ai is on my mind but not sure if the juice is worth the squeeze. What was the cost? Worth it? Seems like if you can get "enough" performance out of 243 then you don't really gain anything but longer brass life at the expense of barrel life(if you load it hotter). I was reading they need to set back the barrel a thread because the neck shoulder junction is slightly shorter on a 243ai.

 

[amassi]

Alright y'all. I'm going to sip the Koolaid. After a successful year hunting with my custom 300WSM and Berger 215s, I just ordered a Threaded Tikka 243 1:8 from Cabela's for just over ~$1k, decent deals right now with the sale+Monday discount+Rebate.

Planning to load it up with Hornady 109s because I have a pile of them for my PRS gun. Hoping to push those at 3000fps out of the 22" barrel which will be suppressed. The numbers look very deadly out to at least 750 yards. I'm excited.

Is that velocity too optimistic? Powder recommendations? I'm assuming Lapua brass is the way.

Lapua is great and you’ll probably get a few extra pieces
H1000 is nice in 243 w/ 105-110. H4350, H4831sc also.


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[khuber84]

I think the key to a Tikka 243 is to throat it out longer freebore to seat these long bearing bullets out the neck a ways. Creed is 1.91 trim, 243 is 2.035. So my creed loads with long heavies are around 2.860 jumping 40k, in the same throated 243, they'd be 2.985. The m+ mags will hold near that, 30-06 mags with long bolt stop and skies the limit.

 

[LostWapiti]

I think the key to a Tikka 243 is to throat it out longer freebore to seat these long bearing bullets out the neck a ways. Creed is 1.91 trim, 243 is 2.035. So my creed loads with long heavies are around 2.860 jumping 40k, in the same throated 243, they'd be 2.985. The m+ mags will hold near that, 30-06 mags with long bolt stop and skies the limit.

I could just do the Uni-Throater. Did that on my WSM with incredible success. I was scared shitless to do it and got better accuracy after doing it. I’m excited to get it and measure to get a starting point,

 

[khuber84]

I could just do the Uni-Throater. Did that on my WSM with incredible success. I was scared shitless to do it and got better accuracy after doing it. I’m excited to get it and measure to get a starting point,

Uni throater are handy. Just used mine a few nights ago to clean up the freebore in a tight 6br chamber on a buddies barrel. I have them for all calibers cept 27 and 25.

 

[sveltri]

What’s your load out of curiosity? I’m running 4831sc as well but regular 243.

108 eldm 48.2 h4831sc cbto 2.285 Fed210m jumping .020

Did you rechamber the factory barrel or new barrel? 243ai is on my mind but not sure if the juice is worth the squeeze. What was the cost? Worth it? Seems like if you can get "enough" performance out of 243 then you don't really gain anything but longer brass life at the expense of barrel life(if you load it hotter). I was reading they need to set back the barrel a thread because the neck shoulder junction is slightly shorter on a 243ai.

Rechamber factory, yes smith had to set back some. I think it cost me $350, IMO yes worth it. I’ve got almost 200 rounds on that barrel and virtually no signs it’s even been shot. If it’s not set back you run into excessive headspace issues.

 

[chamois]

I would, yes.

A 105-110 6mm TMK , or whatever maximum weight stabilizes properly in the more common 1:8", would be my huckleberry.

 

[eoperator]

Is that velocity too optimistic? Powder recommendations? I'm assuming Lapua brass is the way

N555 will get to 3000fps in 22" barrel.

 

[CBB1]

Ahh. Drive by reading.





TMK’s are nearly ideal in construction and design. They have a lower consistent upset velocity, and a more oval or football shaped wound. In most cases they create the largest wounds in the respective class while still reaching sufficient penetration depth.

Thanks guys. Now we are all on the wait for another TMK that we can’t buy yet.


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[Floridave]

Alright y'all. I'm going to sip the Koolaid. After a successful year hunting with my custom 300WSM and Berger 215s, I just ordered a Threaded Tikka 243 1:8 from Cabela's for just over ~$1k, decent deals right now with the sale+Monday discount+Rebate.

Planning to load it up with Hornady 109s because I have a pile of them for my PRS gun. Hoping to push those at 3000fps out of the 22" barrel which will be suppressed. The numbers look very deadly out to at least 750 yards. I'm excited.

Is that velocity too optimistic? Powder recommendations? I'm assuming Lapua brass is the way.

I’m able to load those bullets long in my 243 w 23 inch barrel and easily getting just at 3100 with 108 eldm and 105 bergers. Have pushed them faster than that but settled back to 3050 to 3090. I don’t think you’ll have a problem.


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