Ruger American nailing the plate at 1040 yards...

.243 has always been capable at 1000 yards. Bit more of a throat burner, and the smaller bullets don't buck the wind quite as well as some other choices.
It's the typical long-range trade-off. Smaller/faster has shorter flight time, bigger/heavier has less drift.

For a factory rifle, because of the availablity of commercial ammo it's a popular choice that's very versatile.
 
Hey folks,

I see there are some questions, so hope this helps.

The rifle is bone stock except for some added weight in the buttstock for balance (it was nose heavy with the scope), and relocated the bi-pod reward towards magazine to reduce stock twisting while trying to acquire the target and leveling the rifle.

I'm using a Vortex Viper 6.5-20X50PA scope and Wheeler level.

I am running hand loads of 95gr Berger VLD's over IMR4350 and a C.O.A.L. of 2.813 (still fitting into the mag.) using both Federal and Norma brass, and Winchester LR and Federal GM210M primers (just used up the last of the Win. primers and I am currently running the GM210M's).

Powder charge is not max, but towards the upper end, and seeing about 2844 FPS using a friends Oehler chrono.

The rifle has a 1-9" twist is why I chose the 95gr Berger.

Rifle likes this load much better than factory ammo I've tried thus far.

YMMV

Steve
 
Williams480 - How do you like that Viper? I'm thinking about one for a AR 6.8spc upper 4-16x50 with a 30mm tube for night time hog hunting.
 
1040 yds

my niece was in grade school years ago and someone said something about bragging. she looked at them and said it aint bragging if one can do it.:D
 
Hey MX,

I like the Viper very well, nice compromise of quality and price.

I had a Redfield Revenge 4-12X40 on the rifle before, but my son
said he wanted a new scope for his Ruger American .243, so we
struck a deal.
He got the Redfield, and daddy got the Viper :)
 
The American has a tighter then normal 1:9 twist so it can effectively use some very long streamlined bullets like the 95gr VLD, a standard 1:10 won't work so well with them. If I suddenly felt the urge to get a 243 it would be a Ruger American or a Savage, but I already have a scary accurate 6.5x55 so I already have light recoil/long range covered.
 
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