The subject pretty much says it all. I'm rebarrelling a Sako 243 & want a short stalking rifle (moderated). I have the choice of chamberings and barrel length. It'll be used for lamping foxes (walked up & truck), stalked fallow, roe & muntjac. I'd like a one bullet does it all, maybe 90 or 95gn ballistic tips? Any advice gratefully received.
Regards, Mike

Mike,
I wish I could give you some Earth shattering info on what a worthwhile endeavor it would be to go with the .243A/I. But truthfully, the .243Win. with the 90 or 95 grain BT will fulfill your stated needs perfectly. Unless you use a longer barrel and really need to stretch out the maximum PBR, the fire-formed A/I will do little more than burn more powder.

Dave

I have a 19" 243 with PES custom moderator. 90gr Ballistic Tips go 2,950fps with 43gr H4350 into one hole and could probably be persuaded 100fps more but noise and accuracy would suffer. The bullet works extremely well on fallow, roe and muntjac at this speed. I shot about 10 prickets and bucks with it this rut never picking up another rifle.....

The AI will make the rifle unsaleable, louder and not much else.


Other do it all bullets to consider are the 85gr BTSP from Speer, the 87gr Hornady SP and the 85gr BTHP from Sierra. Both work very well with the 85gr Speer having a great BC to boot.

For terminal effect the 90gr BT is IMHO unbeatable.

Nope, You would need over 24in to see any difference. stick whith the 243 and use a short tube. I like short barrels too.

505ED