model 3G LOADING BENCH The world's most versatile 3-gun competition rifle The first two bullet weights offered when the .243 Win. was introduced nearly 60 years ago were 80 and 100 grs. *shown with optional sights That collective recoil makes the .243 a cartridge better for a slower shooting pace. Heavier 70- to 85-gr. bullets don't shoot quite as fast or flat as the lighter ones, but they do carry more freight for marmots, fox and coyotes. A .243 rifle mounted with a medium-power scope does not need the 3300 f.p.s. or so possible with these bullet weights because a marmot peeking over a rock at much over 250 yds. is difficult to see through a four-power or even a 2-7X variable scope. Nor does target practice at 100 to 200 yds. A 70-gr. bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3100 f.p.s. shoots sufficiently fast and accurately with the mild recoil appreciated by skinny shoulders padded only by summer T-shirts. When big-game season arrives after that practice a bullet must penetrate about 7" on a broadside shot to pierce the lungs and reach the ribs on the far side of a deer. Under full steam, handloaded 100-gr. bullets optimistically reach 3000 f.p.s. from a .243. Factoryloaded .243s claim 2960 f.p.s. with that weight bullet. At that modest speed that amount of penetration is easily accomplished with 100-gr. bullets of standard construction. My wife has punched quite a few .24-cal. 100-gr. Sierra Pro-Hunter and Hornady InterLock bullets clear through mule deer and antelope. At a Texas high-fenced ranch I commented to the manager about the abundance of red deer eating the protein feed intended for the SELECTED .243 WINCHESTER LOADS BULLET BRAND/WEIGHT PROPELLANT PROPELLANT WEIGHT (GRS.) VELOCITY @ 10' (F.P.S.) 100-YD. GROUP (INCHES) NOSLER 55-GR. BALLISTIC TIP LEAD FREE VARGET 45.0 3759 1.25 HORNADY 75-GR. V-MAX W760 45.5 3386 0.97 SWIFT 90-GR. SCIROCCO II RELODER 19 45.0 3068 1.38* SIERRA 100-GR. SPITZER BOAT TAIL IMR 7828 SSC 45.0 2840 1.14* Scan the QR code with your mobile device stag arms www.stagarms.com 860-229-9994 52 D ECEMBER 2013 AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG NOTES: VELOCITIES ARE THE AVERAGE OF 10 SHOTS RECORDED ON A CHRONOGRAPH 10 FT. FROM THE MUZZLE OF THE 24" BARREL OF A COOPER MODEL 22. A LEUPOLD VX-III 4.5-14X 50 MM SCOPE WAS MOUNTED ON THE COOPER AND SET ON 14X. ACCURACY IS THE AVERAGE OF FIVE CONSECUTIVE, FIVE-SHOT GROUPS FIRED AT 100 YDS. WINCHESTER LARGE RIFLE PRIMERS AND WINCHESTER CASES USED, EXCEPT WHERE DENOTED WITH *, WHICH INDICATES REMINGTON CASES. TEMPERATURES RANGED BETWEEN 65º F AND 85º F .http://www.stagarms.com http://www.AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG