Target shooting for fun

[Bushwack44]

Using 243, is there a preferred bullet weight for target shooting (100-300 yards)?

I would assume a 55gr will get you there quicker but does a heavier weight (i.e. 80gr) have more potent powder for the same velocity? Or is it a negligible issue up to 300 yards?

On a related question, generally speaking, what grain bullet for a 243 would be used to shoot 600 yards? I guess I'm asking is the rule of thumb further the distance, the heavier the round?

[LynnJr]

Exactly correct.
For 300 yards you can shoot 65-70 grain Benchrest bullets. For 600 yards you are better off ballistically with 95 grain or heavier bullets. 105 Bergers 108 Bergers 107 Sierra MatchKings or any of the customs.

[Fjold]

I shot thhe 70 grain match bullets out to 600 yards all the time out of my 10" twist 243. When I got serious about it, I bought an 8" twist barrel for the 105s and heavier and a 9.125" twist barrel for the 95 grain SMK.

[ar15barrels]

I shoot 107 SMK's at all distances so that I only have to load one bullet and keep track of one set of external ballistics at all distances I will shoot the rifle.

[Calif Hunter]

I shoot 70 gr Sierra Blitzkings out of my Tikka with Varget powder. They work well on varmints and I get 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards usually - so long as I am doing my part. I used a few 80 gr Remington PowerPoints on javelina since I was given a couple boxes - they shot well enough and worked just fine. For long range past 300 or 400 yards, the heavier bullets will work better with less wind drift so long as your rifling twist will stabilize them.

[TMB 1]

Remington's 6mm Rem has 1-9" twist. Their 243s probably do too, but I don't know for sure.

[bsumoba]

105gr +...handles all situations out to 1K easy.