.243 For Groundhogs

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Recman
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2008/08/01 12:31:03 (permalink)

.243 For Groundhogs

I have a .243, and I want to go groundhog hunting with it. What size bullet (or type) do you suggest? I have 80 and 100 grain for deer. I was looking for something like 55 grain. One store had some for around $35.00 a box. Is that the normal price of them?
 
Thanks,
 
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    griffon
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/01 12:39:49 (permalink)
    That is about the right price for good ammunition.  Probably the two best factory rounds you will find are the 75 grain SST and 58 grain VMax.  Both are from Hornady.  The 75 may be a better option due to windage, but the 58 is mollycoated and can shoot flatter downrange.  Both are extremely accurate.
    #2
    pghmarty
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/01 13:29:27 (permalink)
    Try Cabellas or Gander Mountain.
    Wally World might have a a heavier bullet for deer probably not a varmint load.

    Try Midway:
    http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?t=82579&pageNum=0&tabId=3&categoryId=7521&categoryString=653***690***

    Hornady Varmint Express Ammunition 243 Winchester 58 Grain V-Max Moly Box of 20 $23.49
    Hornady Custom Ammunition 243 Winchester 75 Grain Hollow Point Box of 20 $22.99
    #3
    casts_by_fly
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/05 11:08:43 (permalink)
    pick whichever one shoots the best from your gun.  If the 80's or 100's shoot minute of groundhog to the range you want, then stick with them.  they will be better at distance if you're shooting past 300 yards and you'll have less wind drift than the light ones.
     
    thanks
    rick
    #4
    wishiwashome
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/05 18:18:07 (permalink)
    I would go with 100gr. It will give you the reach out and touch some one you're looking for.
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    griffon
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/05 21:47:41 (permalink)
    I would not use the .243 in 100 grain for woodchucks as my first round choice.  While the 100 grain bullet will buck the wind better, a 243 IS NOT a 500 yard round when shooting 100 grains and that is when it would matter.  Besides, at 400 and 500 yards the 100 grain bullets drops way too much as the powder charge is not enough to propel it on even a remotely flat trajectory.  The only way it becomes even potentially a 500 yard round is with a lighter grain bullet and a calm day.  At 100-300 yards with a light bullet, you would have to have a very significant crosswind to take your bullet off course and it will be flatter than the 100 grain.  I shoot a .204 primarily with a 32 grain bullet.  Out to 300 yards it is pure poison every day.  On calm days, it can reach right out and touch them at 500 yards.  My chuck hunting buddy shoots a bull barrel .243 with 100 grain ammo.  He is great out to 250 and then has real problems with the up and down trajectory.  The .204 has worn him out and he has just switched to the Hornady's I mentioned earlier in 58 grains.  He sighted in out to 300 yards tonight and was completely impressed.  I am very curious to see it perform in the field.
    #6
    pin_drifter
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/06 13:20:42 (permalink)
    30-06 150 GR  GOOD SCOPE ALL YOU NEED. REACH OUT AND TOUCH THEM 600 + BUT YOU HAVE TOO HAVE A RANGE FINDER AND A SCOPE THAT CAN ADJUST FOR YOUR DISTANCE, AND BULLET DROP

    Quit ****ing and take a kid fishing !!
    #7
    cooljauman
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/06 14:29:42 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: pin_drifter

    30-06 150 GR  GOOD SCOPE ALL YOU NEED. REACH OUT AND TOUCH THEM 600 + BUT YOU HAVE TOO HAVE A RANGE FINDER AND A SCOPE THAT CAN ADJUST FOR YOUR DISTANCE, AND BULLET DROP

     
    thats some serious groundhog hunting!
     
    I would go with a .17 caliber with hornady v-max 55 gr shells with a BSA sweet .17 scope,
    perfect combination.  It will reach around 300 yds easily

    If the world needed and enema, they'd put the tube in Philadelphia. Go Pens!

    Evgeni Malkin: I'M SCORE

    S.D.S.G.F.C.
    #8
    griffon
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/06 14:41:39 (permalink)
    You might want to check that...  55grains from a .17?  Also, I will assume you are shooting a centerfire in the .17.   If not, I do not believe you could get any accuracy or energy worth bragging about at 300 yards from the HMR or the MACH II.  I just noticed that you claim to have worked for****s in the hunting area.  If that is true and you are being serious, that is scary... 
    post edited by griffon - 2008/08/06 15:00:25
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    browntrout icer
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/06 22:58:29 (permalink)
    22-250 or my 308  is the way to go fer them chucks! IMO 
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    gobyking
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/06 23:46:58 (permalink)
    I think Cooljauman was talking about a .177 pellet gun. What a goofball.
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    pghmarty
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/07 00:39:23 (permalink)
    I would go with a .17 caliber with hornady v-max 55 gr shells with a BSA sweet .17 scope,
    perfect combination. It will reach around 300 yds easily


    Hornady V-Max .17 come in 17gr 20gr and 25gr

    BSA sweet 17  is probably the cheapest piece of crap made


    Ruger 10/22 Mag converted to .17HMR and 10/22 on bottom with Volquartsen TG2000 or  Hornet Custom trigger groups with 5oz pull and all the other high priced additions


    This 10/17HMR is made to push the limits of the round but I have never tried it beyond 150 meters
    I probably have just under $1000  in the top gun and a little over $1500 invested in the bottom
    Both have 50mm scopes for rapid fire target acquisition.
    Bottom McMillan STC Intimidator stock was used in the Chevy Truck Challenge
    I bought  stock used for around $800

    My Custom Flaig .223 Mouser action is a nice mid range gun, I have a Savage 22-250 out of their custom shop that I use for a little more distance and when I really wanted to reach out and touch something my H&K PSG-1 was the toy to play with.
    I sold it and almost completely paid for another Harley
    post edited by pghmarty - 2008/08/07 00:57:15
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    gobyking
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/07 00:49:19 (permalink)
    PGHMARTY- shooting holes in BS artists for over 4000 posts and still going! Gotta think that's "hott" and "sweet" right Cooljauman? YOU BIG DOPE!!!!
    #13
    pghmarty
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/07 01:06:31 (permalink)
    I did not realize that I had over 4000 posts-I need to get out more.

    And  that is not even my most accurate .22
    I have 2 Winchester model 52's that are quite accurate.

    I bought the second one so that I could put a
    pre-A serial #12  that was my grandfathers older brothers in the vault.

    More gun porn:

    post edited by pghmarty - 2008/08/07 01:13:59
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    casts_by_fly
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/07 08:36:24 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: griffon

    I would not use the .243 in 100 grain for woodchucks as my first round choice.  While the 100 grain bullet will buck the wind better, a 243 IS NOT a 500 yard round when shooting 100 grains and that is when it would matter.  Besides, at 400 and 500 yards the 100 grain bullets drops way too much as the powder charge is not enough to propel it on even a remotely flat trajectory.  The only way it becomes even potentially a 500 yard round is with a lighter grain bullet and a calm day.  At 100-300 yards with a light bullet, you would have to have a very significant crosswind to take your bullet off course and it will be flatter than the 100 grain.  I shoot a .204 primarily with a 32 grain bullet.  Out to 300 yards it is pure poison every day.  On calm days, it can reach right out and touch them at 500 yards.  My chuck hunting buddy shoots a bull barrel .243 with 100 grain ammo.  He is great out to 250 and then has real problems with the up and down trajectory.  The .204 has worn him out and he has just switched to the Hornady's I mentioned earlier in 58 grains.  He sighted in out to 300 yards tonight and was completely impressed.  I am very curious to see it perform in the field.

     
     
    For the sake of argument, let's forget about 300yd and less.  I think we can all agree that any reasonable modern centerfire can handle that range.  And I think we can all agree that range estimation/measuring becomes critical when you start getting 'out there'.
     
    Beyond 300, BC starts to play more of an effect than muzzle velocity.  If you compare the 204 with 32's with the 243 and 100's, they aren't very different at 500 yards.  In terms of drop (with a 100 yd zero), the 243 will drop an extra 8".  It will also have 15" less wind drift with a 10 mph crosswind.  If you zero at 300, then the 243 will only have an addional 4" drop beyond the 204.  At that range you should be clicking up and down anyway because even with a 300 yard zero, both rounds are dropping another 2' before they make 500.
     
    To say that the 243 with 100gr heads is NOT a 500 yard round is very incorrect.  And as a last little bit I recommend you search around hunting PA for Boyd's groundhog shooting videos.  He's a long range shooter anyway and has posted video of groundhogs at 1000+ yards.  Cartridge?  243 with 105 A-maxes.
     
    Thanks,
    Rick
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    griffon
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/07 09:35:41 (permalink)
    While you can perform those kinds of shots, the 100 grain bullet from a 243 is still not the best choice for doing it.  Sighted in 1 1/2" high at 100 yards, you will be anywhere from 40-60 inches below dead center.  Shooting a 55-60 grain bullet will drop 25-30 inches.  The .204 with the same settings and a 32 grain bullet drops 30 inches (substantially flatter than the 100 grain .243).  Boyd also goes on to talk about other cartridges (I am familiar with his work).  His favorite cartridge (as with many other serious long distance shooters) is a 6 mm custom (his is actually  a 6.5).  This cartridge generally carries less than 25 inches drop at 500 yards with a 100 grain bullet, but maintains down range accuracy making 1000 yard shots more possible.  If cross winds are going to be a factor, there is no doubt that the heavier bullets are a better option at longer ranges (that is where the 30-50 cals. come into play). 
     
    I love this type of discussion, because there really never is a winner and everyone thinks that they have the solution...
    post edited by griffon - 2008/08/07 09:40:04
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    cooljauman
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/07 09:44:52 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: griffon

    You might want to check that...  55grains from a .17?  Also, I will assume you are shooting a centerfire in the .17.   If not, I do not believe you could get any accuracy or energy worth bragging about at 300 yards from the HMR or the MACH II.  I just noticed that you claim to have worked for****s in the hunting area.  If that is true and you are being serious, that is scary... 



    i was way off on the grains...  it was 17 grain, but i did sell alot of those combo's for guns and had customers tell me they could reach out to 300 yards

    whether they were exaggerating or not i will never know....

    If the world needed and enema, they'd put the tube in Philadelphia. Go Pens!

    Evgeni Malkin: I'M SCORE

    S.D.S.G.F.C.
    #17
    casts_by_fly
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/07 11:51:57 (permalink)
    CJ,
     
    The HMR with 17 gr heads is able to make 300 yard shots.  However, the slightest wind will blow them well off course and the energy at that range requires a head shot on any sort of small game.  I've taken shots out to 250 from prone on a bipod at rabbits and it is harder to hit at that range than you think.  Any average joe isn't going to do it.  I would liken 300 yard HMR shooting to a full bore at 800.  Once you pass 200 yards with the HMR the trajectory begins to drop like a rock.
     
    Thanks,
    Rick
    #18
    casts_by_fly
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/07 12:00:47 (permalink)
    griffon,
     
    I would take the extra 10" of drop of the 100gr 243 at 500 over the extra 15" of wind drift of the 32gr 204 any day.  And, that drift is with 10 mph at 90 degrees (not much wind really).  I'm not that great estimating wind yet, let alone calculating drop for it on the fly.
     
    That said, neither of those would be my 'long range' gun if I were building something specifically for hogs beyond 500.
     
    I think the best option for recman is just to go shoot.  I know I'd get a lot more enjoyment if I were out in the field right now than sitting at a desk.

    Thanks,
    Rick
    #19
    anzomcik
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/07 13:06:47 (permalink)
    I use hornady 75gr vmax for chucks out of my 25wssm, it kills them. I use speer 270 gr boat tails out of my .375 RUM, it kills them just as dead. No matter what you use out of your 243 you will be doing it right. i know the price for lead now is high so it might be right i have not bought lead in a while. So get out from behind your desk and have fun
    #20
    pghmarty
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/07 14:41:08 (permalink)
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    HardCore Fisher
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/07 16:35:58 (permalink)
    If you use a 243, expect a big hole and mess after you shoot one for as small as they are, even though i use mine which also is 1 of my deer guns, i use the cheap $10 boxs of Remington core lokt ammo from walmart cause their always leftover from deer season, my price range is cheap and they get the job done, even if you miss, their stupid an will be back outta their hole in 5-10 minutes and you can try again.
     
    Ronnie
    #22
    casts_by_fly
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/08 04:21:00 (permalink)
    yep marty, I'd call that rock like after 200.
     
    thanks
    rick
    #23
    pghmarty
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/08 09:42:45 (permalink)
    My 17HMR  is sighted at 100 yards,  drop is around 3" at 150y

    A semi-auto is legal to hunt with if you install a spacer block where the clip goes
    #24
    crappiefisher
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/08 10:13:24 (permalink)
     The farmers have been cuttin' like crazy round here for the past week. Wish I hadn't sold the Rem. 700 custom varmit 22-250 with pods & a bunch ov ammo  Back to the 700 Rem. .243
     
     
      The grass is greener on the other side ov the hedgerow.
    #25
    casts_by_fly
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/08 10:27:48 (permalink)
    My HMR was sghted for 130.  That gave me +/- 1" out to 160.  I'd push out to 200 on occasion, but more often than not I'd just walk closer as the hares would let you get the to 100-150 mark most of the time.

    Thanks
    Rick
    #26
    pxatim
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/08 12:27:45 (permalink)
    I've used my .270... just about all but cuts them in half.
     
    If you really want to see something cool go to
     
    www.dogbegone.com you can thank me later
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    cooljauman
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    RE: .243 For Groundhogs 2008/08/08 12:55:17 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: pxatim

    www.dogbegone.com you can thank me later

     
     
    thank you

    If the world needed and enema, they'd put the tube in Philadelphia. Go Pens!

    Evgeni Malkin: I'M SCORE

    S.D.S.G.F.C.
    #28
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