I am planning two .243 loads, as follows: a cheaper, softer bullet for culling and smaller antelope and a stronger, pricier bullet for bigger antelope.
I already have success with my 270 Win shooting 140 AB's and BT's to the same POI.
Hypothetically, which should shoot closer to the 90 gr AB, the 90 gr BT or the 95gr?
90 gr AB = SD 0.218, BC 0.376 OAL 1.110"
90 gr BT = SD 0.218, BC 0.365 OAL 1.071"
95 gr BT = SD 0.230, BC 0.379 OAL 1.115

This would surely come down to which has more effect on POI, OAL or BC?

Karoo,
Don't think there is any way to tell short of trying them out in your rifle. I have a few rifles that will shoot almost any load to basically the same POI. They are both solidly bedded and have straight stocks but every rifle is an individual.

You're just going to have to try them to find out. Some rifles pile just about anything together and some do the opposite. If I had to bet though it would be on the 90 grainers shooting together.

I'm playing with a little Kimber 300WSM that stubbornly insists on shooting 150, 165 and 180 Nosler Ballistic-tips together from zero to 500 yards. The higher velocities of the lighter bullets seems to compensate for the higher BCs. The 150s do hit a tiny bit lower at 100, but the 3400 fps velocity evens it out.

Oddly, I've yet to find a use for this particular trait, that couldn't be handled just as well by using 180s for everything.

Thanks for the response.
I realise that one would have to try the loads, so this is really a hypothetical question, but also which load to try first and thereby strike gold.

If it were me I'd try the 90 grain AB's and 90 grain BT's for the best odds of them shooting to the same POI, however as you well know it is a crap shoot.
My sons .243 shoots 90 grain Speer Deep Shocks in .5 to .75" groups and Sierra 85 grain HPBT's in same size groups 1" higher, not bad not quite same POI though.

"This would surely come down to which has more effect on POI, OAL or BC?"

Or barrel harmonics or holding your tongue just the right way or some other unknown voodoo.
I've tried to mathematically figure everything out and been astounded by the non conforming results at times.

Having used all of those bullets on game bigger than antelope, I would suggest you either load all 90 grain B-tips or go with the 85 grain Sierra Gameking and just load one bullet. You will get reliable expansion and penetration at any range to 350 yards and they are cheap. If you are really concerned about penetration and have to use a premium bullet, I would switch to the 85 grain TSX. All of your 90 to 100 grain bonded and partition bullets in 6mm will not provide a consistent, noticeable difference in penetration over todays heavier jacketed cup and cores. The TSX will, but they are double the cost of Sierras and 30% more than Accubonds or Sciroccos. Just my observations.

I have a Weatherby Vanguard S2 in 243. 24" barrel (Howa rifle re-branded for Weatherby).

I have 2 loads that have the same POI out to 300 - 90 gr AB and the 85 gr Partition. One uses IMR4064 the other (the AB) likes IMR4350.

After 300 yards, the AB has both a better group and has a higher POI.

Measuring both with a Magnetospeed V3 the 90gr chrony's 3175 fps and the 85gr hits 3225 fps.

Doesn't seem like they would match up, but in MY rifle, they do.

Looking at what you are giving as choices, and going STRICTLY by the measurements shown, it would seem like the AB and the 95gr BT would be a close match.
But, until you work up a load in YOUR rifle, you won't know for certain.

There is only .040 thsnds. of an inch that's (+ - ) .020"
give or take a .001". you didn't say if they are close to the same poi... if they are I would work on the (OAL) over all load.
Try a different primer, seating depth, and I like to push the .243 at near max for best preformace.

Use the same weight bullet and same powder charge and most good barrels will shoot the together..Most of my rifles shoot everything together if 1.2,or 3 inches high is allowed.

My 338 is dead on at 100 with 300 gr. Woodleighs, 1.5" high with 250s and 3' high with 210 Noslers.. that's perfect.

Both of my 250-3000s and my 7x57 will do about the same..

IMO, a good barrel does that, and bad barrel will not, but a decent barrel will usually shoot at least two combos together..

I read a lot to the contrary, but that has never been my experience.

I have a model70 featherweight 243, it shoots 90gr Accubonds and 90gr Ballistic Tips to the same poi with the same load. I would deffinately test your rifle before going hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by Charlie78:
I have a model70 featherweight 243, it shoots 90gr Accubonds and 90gr Ballistic Tips to the same poi with the same load. I would deffinately test your rifle before going hunting.

If I had any rifle, any caliber or chambering that wouldn't shoot same weight Accubonds and ballistic tips to the same point of impact I'd
Unscrew the barrel and use it as a fence post

Failing that I'd thread the outside muzzle end 5/18-18NF and bore out the chamber end to the same size and use it (and an Identical twin) as traction bars for my truck

quote:

If I provoke you into thinking then I've done my good deed for the day!

You have indeed! Thanks for all the replies.

Although I've read reports otherwise, I have had all Ballistic Tips and Accubonds of identical caliber and weight that I have tried shoot to the same point of impact. Thus far the two pairs I have tried are 180/.30 cal and 150/.30Cal. This is hardly a comprehensive test, but the pairs have shot to the same POI in several different rifles and cartridges, including .308, .30-06, and .300 H&H.

Tangentally related, the polymer-tipped Varmageddon bullets in .22/45 grain, .22/55 grain, and 6mm/70 grain have shot to the same POI as their counterpart Ballistic Tips. This is despite the former having a flat base and the latter having a slight boattail.

You just have to play with the rifle and find out what it will do, and that is the only way it can be done...You will be surprised, contrary to popular belief, how many will shoot many loads to the same POI..Its a rumor started by some gun scribe many years ago and passed on to others over the years, and it ain't necessarily so!

My 6mmBR shoots 55gr Varmageddon, flat base HP and 75 gr Vmax to the same poi at 100 yards, they start to deviate at 200 because of the higher BC of the Vmax.

The two identical bullet weights from Nosler would be your best bet.

And at the highest pressure with accuracy will aid this.