Whats the distance a stevens .243 can reach and still be accurate?

Question

Whats the distance a stevens .243 can reach and still be accurate?

Answer 1

It's all in the details. Technically the 243 delivers 1000 ft-lb of energy past 400 yards, which is ethical for the largest deer with good broadside lung hits. The lung area averages the size of a paper dinner plate. How far away in a field hurry-up situation can you keep all your shots on such a paper target? This usually refers to how slick is your trigger pull, since the 243 has little recoil to s***w up one's aim. A good rest on a day pack is a very good idea, as is a range finder, since past 200 yards it is very easy to get fooled when guessing distances. An acurization treatment by a gunsmith will often involve re-crowning of the barrel, a trigger job, bedding the action, floating the barrel, and attention to any incidental imperfections. I suggest the big 100 grain Nosler Partition bullet, as it's old German "H" mantle design has the broadest dynamic range of any bullet ever invented, then or now! Personally, I won't take any initial shots at live game past 250 yards, good shot that I am, because in a field situation I cannot guarantee humane kills beyond that. Putting down wounded game that moved just as I was shooting, is at whatever range it can be arranged at, of course. Regards, Larry.

Answer 2

The bullet drops 1.7 inches at 200 yards, and drops 6.9 inches at 300 yards, and drops 15.7 inches at 400 yards.* That is with shooting a 80 grain soft-point bullet.* Based on that your most effective range is 300 yards maximum.*  

Answer 3

I have a Ruger 77 Stainless 243 Win I spent a year on an isolated island in Alaska with 2,000 rounds and a 2000 meter condemed runway as a target range.

The maxium distance I could actually hit somethign was about 1,000 meters and I could consistantly hit a 1.5 meter sized plastic crab float.

The maxium distance I have used that rifle was a 635 yard shot while on Kodiak Island, Alaska.  At the time I guessed it a 650 yard shot, my wife guess it was 625 yard.  I went back the next week and confirmed it as 635 with a laser range finder.  I sniped a Sitka Blacktail deer - bullet entered the back of the head and exited the nose.

Realistically - most people will find good service for this caliber in the 300 to 400 yard area.  An extremely skilled marksman can push it to 600 yards - but - much beyond 700 yards the wind really starts to mess with the flight of the bullet - things become unpredictable.

Hope this helps.  

Answer 4

Look Here...

http://www.6mmbr.com/243Win.html

Answer 5

With the .243, he shooter will be the limiting factor.

On small deer the cartridge will reliably kill out to about 400Yd.s

The gun will probably shoot 2 MOA., (spread its shots 2" per hundred yards of range).

How good are you?

Practice and find out.