Question regarding Mossberg rifle

[Bushwack44]

I have a Mossberg Patriot in .243 (twist of 1:10). Used only for fun time at the range, I shoot 80gr and 100gr Federal ammo.

If I wanted to shoot at 600 yards (or further), would a 58gr Hornady (https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/s...nce-varmint#!/) be more accurate vs 80 or 100gr (all things being equal but the weight of the round)? Or...am I splitting hairs trying to get an extra 200' velocity per second? TIA

[Calif Hunter]

The lighter bullet will slow down faster and be blown off course more by wind, which are bigger factors as the range increases.

[LowThudd]

I would think a heavy monolithic bullet would be a better choice.

[ar15barrels]

I have a Mossberg Patriot in .243 (twist of 1:10). Used only for fun time at the range, I shoot 80gr and 100gr Federal ammo.

If I wanted to shoot at 600 yards (or further), would a 58gr Hornady (https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/s...nce-varmint#!/) be more accurate vs 80 or 100gr (all things being equal but the weight of the round)? Or...am I splitting hairs trying to get an extra 200' velocity per second? TIA

At 600yds and beyond, shoot a hollowpoint target bullet or plastic tipped target bullet.
The heavier the better.
At the bare minimum, 95gr sierra matchkings of 105gr tipped hornady's.
Some 1:10 twist barrels will stabilize the 105's, especially in hot weather or higher elevations, but they often will not work on really cold days and at low altitude.

For factory ammo, this would probably be my choice:

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/243-win-87-gr-v-max-custom#!/

[Bushwack44]

Thanks everyone for the input. A bit off topic from target shooting, but should I conclude that a lighter round .243 (58 grain) would be best used for shooting small game (rabbits, coyote) at <300 yards? What else would it be good for (a deer round should be 100gr, correct)?

[LynnJr]

The lighter rounds have very low ballistics coefficients but they are very fast out of the muzzle.
Speed is what makes those devastating hits that cause varmints to flip in the air.

For hunting deer the heavier bullets while slower at the muzzle don't need as much adjustment to make a 450 yard shot and upon impact they have more energy to knock a deer down.

[Calif Hunter]

Here in CA where we have to use non-lead bullets, I have had good luck with the 85 gr Barnes TSX or Tipped TSX for larger game and the 62 gr Barnes Varmint Grenade for varmints. In my .243 for prairie dogs and coyotes out of state, I use the Sierra 70 gr Blitzking with Varget powder. Plenty of speed, great accuracy and a little more wind resistant. The 75 gr V-Max also works well for me.