My 243 is getting a new barrel this winter on account of it having 2000+ rounds through it and cleaning became too much of a pain with the fire cracking. A 7 twist 243 ackley will be the next barrel on it. I'm going to start getting components now as November will likely determine future availability. I've killed plenty of deer with the old 9 twist 243 barrel but 7 twist opens up a LOT of new options and I'm not sure where to start. I will now divulge as many details as possible on how this gun will be used.
This gun is almost entirely for deer/antelope, I doubt it'll take a combined 10 elk and black bear just because fully kitted it's over 11lbs and I don't enjoy lugging it across mountains
My max range is 500yds, if I range 502 I'm getting closer
Over half the animals I shot with the old (current) barrel were under 150yds
I go for high shoulder shots when possible (exits don't matter to me as tracking is often not required)
I still need sufficient penetration for steep quartering to and frontal shots during my endeavors back East in PA, as quicker, close shots in the big woods are often the case (this is where a lot of those closer shots happened)
All that is to say what are the best offerings for a 7 twist 243 ackley under these conditions? I'm also open to bullets suited to a slower 9 or 10 twist, I just got the 7 to open up more options should I so choose.
This gun is almost entirely for deer/antelope, I doubt it'll take a combined 10 elk and black bear just because fully kitted it's over 11lbs and I don't enjoy lugging it across mountains
My max range is 500yds, if I range 502 I'm getting closer
Over half the animals I shot with the old (current) barrel were under 150yds
I go for high shoulder shots when possible (exits don't matter to me as tracking is often not required)
I still need sufficient penetration for steep quartering to and frontal shots during my endeavors back East in PA, as quicker, close shots in the big woods are often the case (this is where a lot of those closer shots happened)
All that is to say what are the best offerings for a 7 twist 243 ackley under these conditions? I'm also open to bullets suited to a slower 9 or 10 twist, I just got the 7 to open up more options should I so choose.