Sako .243 Win accuracy

[Webphut]

I am researching the .243 Winchester. I am curious as to how tight a group size is at 300 to 400 yards. I want to use for coyotes and grey squirrels, but need to know group size is there for squirrels before I buy one. I am thinking I would like a sako M591 in .243 win, but it all depends on the group sizing. I seen the new model 85, but like the older designs like the M591, L461, L61, L61r, AI, AII, AIII, & AV actions. Are they tack drivers or are they more for animals with larger target area like a deer?

[Webphut]

I would like to stick with factory ammunition, but I am open to reloading as I only need to buy a die set to do so.

[Thanatos2203]

I think the group size is going to depend more on your abilities than that rifle's.

[BigBamBoo]

I have owned quite a few Tikka T3 rifles. All shoot sub MOA and most 1/2 MOA or better.

The Sako's and Tikka T3 all use the same barrels. So I would venture to guess that the Sako will shoot pretty much on par with the Tikka.

.

[ElvenSoul]

Why so far away?

Good slingshot 10yrs or less.

[Fjold]

Group sizes will vary because the differences in:
Shooter's ability
Individual rifles
Individual loads
Lots of ammunition
Weather
etc.

There is no way short of buying a rifle with an accuracy guarantee for a particular ammunition that you can tell how well a gun shoots. Also, all the accuracy guarantees will be for a particular match load and not for hunting bullets.

[ElvenSoul]

Sako only guarantees 1 inch at 100yds. So 300 yds 3 inch circle.

[Webphut]

I like to shoot from 50 yards to 250 yards, but 300 to 350 yards is about the farthest I can think of shooting anything and realistically being able to place the shot accurately. I watch the you tube videos of these guys shooting distances that do not make sense to me. They have a phenominal talent, but I just assume drive closer or stalk the distance down to get a nice clear view of what I shooting in my scope. Coyotes, I usually never see them up close. Most coyotes I see, my skills are not good enough to adjust for the windage, let alone judge and execute the lead distance on the coyote to kill it that far away. Now the ones I have killed, and I mean all of them, are always trotting away from being spooked and it always seems to be about that 300 to 325 yard mark when they drop to the ground after i shoot or in most of my cases they all of the sudden turn into a greyhound chasing a rabbit. I am also teasing the idea of hunting deer with it. I have been reading on the internet and it appears to me that quite a few people use the .243 to hunt deer too.

[MongooseV8]

Well I can tell you a good 243 with hit squirrels way out pas what you want. I routinely make first round hits on ground squirrels out past 400 yards.

A quality heavy barrel is key though. A MV of 4200+ will heat up a barrel in as few as a couple rounds.

[Fjold]

I like to shoot from 50 yards to 250 yards, but 300 to 350 yards is about the farthest I can think of shooting anything and realistically being able to place the shot accurately. I watch the you tube videos of these guys shooting distances that do not make sense to me. They have a phenominal talent, but I just assume drive closer or stalk the distance down to get a nice clear view of what I shooting in my scope. Coyotes, I usually never see them up close. Most coyotes I see, my skills are not good enough to adjust for the windage, let alone judge and execute the lead distance on the coyote to kill it that far away. Now the ones I have killed, and I mean all of them, are always trotting away from being spooked and it always seems to be about that 300 to 325 yard mark when they drop to the ground after i shoot or in most of my cases they all of the sudden turn into a greyhound chasing a rabbit. I am also teasing the idea of hunting deer with it. I have been reading on the internet and it appears to me that quite a few people use the .243 to hunt deer too.

Coyote at 732 yards

[roostersgt]

Curious as to hold over and windage estimate. .243?? One shot? No vice / Benchrest either? Helluvashot!

[JMP]

I have a Sako in 243. I have about dozen other rifles more accurate. But, accuracy is all about the barrel, not the model or make. Sako uses decent barrels, depending on the line.

[ar15barrels]

I am researching the .243 Winchester. I am curious as to how tight a group size is at 300 to 400 yards. I want to use for coyotes and grey squirrels, but need to know group size is there for squirrels before I buy one. I am thinking I would like a sako M591 in .243 win, but it all depends on the group sizing. I seen the new model 85, but like the older designs like the M591, L461, L61, L61r, AI, AII, AIII, & AV actions. Are they tack drivers or are they more for animals with larger target area like a deer?

Group size depends on barrel and ammo quality and shooter skill.
My 243 will shoot 7/8" groups at 300yds.

[roostersgt]

It's a very few exceptional shooters who are able to shoot sub MOA past 100 yards under most conditions. Not including in those that use a vice, solid rest, custom ammo etc.... Not certain what state records/standards for F class are, but I'm fairly certain nobody hunts animals at those ranges. Most I've heard of was 600 yards at a pig, from a guy who took second in the state using a custom 6.8mm that cost more than $5k, not including his own massaging.

[russ69]

I'll stand up for the 243 Winchester. It's a fine cartridge and will kill deer or varmints at just about any yardage. Most 243 rifles perform well.