243 Win. The Ultimate high Velocity Cartridge ?

Having grown up in a Gun shop, I had developed an early interest in Firearms, Ammunition and what that combination was capable of.

In my youth I have Hunted with a quite a few different Firearms and shot a whole lot more. Although the 7mm Rem. Mag stands out as a "Universal", I still prefer my Pump Action 30-06 Remington and the 308 Norma Magnum. Not forgetting that I downed a lot of piglets using a .22 Hornet.

When I moved to the USA, I realised the major dispute between them and the UK was Velocity. In the UK as well as South Africa we prefer big slow Moving Bullets whereas in the USA Velocity accounts for everything.

Before fuelling another debate, I believe both theories have their pitfalls and are used as a crutch.

If you can't put the Bullet where it is effective, nothing else will help much.

Understanding the Animals Anatomy is crucial to the "swift kill" we all hope for.

Remember please that there are many marksmen at the Bench, but once the Adrenalin is flowing the whole story changes dramatically. In the Bush with pumping heart, sweat running into your eyes and a shaky hand induced by "celebrations" etc. your Minute of angle groups could easily turn into a foot grouping at 100 metres. Shooting from a swaying vehicle opens this up even more. Most of the Experienced Hunters know the feeling of "hy's rak" before the shot leaves.

In the USA I decided to shoot "Bokkies" in the Mountains and acquired a 25-06 Mountain rifle, which propels a 120-grain Bullet easily over 3000 Ft/sec. This has amazed me time and time again. Bullet drop is minimal and I have no qualms about dropping a Gemsbok up to 150 M with it.

I believe that with a correctly chosen projectile, I need to have no moral qualms.

If the Bullet is not constructed correctly, it will not do the Job as is wished for- never mind its weight or/and velocity (who has tried knocking in Nails with a 4 lbs Rubber hammer ?).

I have heard proponents of H-mantel, Nosler's Monolithic etc. What works for you that shoots for the head, needs not work for me that shoots for the soft body and will hardly work for my dad who shoots straight onto the shoulder.

Sadly there still is no wealth of information available on projectiles, so try to analyse it from a scientific point of view. If you want to listen to the manne, fine. Just remain in the Bar please. There is nothing wrong in gleaning information Scientifically, but to hear people expound on the virtues of something that "just works" makes me Dizzy. In my Job I have to put up with that on a daily basis- it don't work period.

If you are wondering why am I drifting of the track ? Don't despair I just wanted to let you know the method behind my madness.

Most of my Shooting is done from 50 to 300 meters, so I need something that shoots reasonably flat, as I am not good enough to memorise trajectories.

I am also unable to shoot "Cannons" anymore, due to my Body having been abused by to many work related accidents (I raced for a Living). Otherwise I could have looked long and hard at the 7mm STW, or my presently lusted for 338 Ultra Mag.

I have in my safe a 243 Win with a 24" barrel, that I bought new in the States and that had less than 100 rounds through it. At 100 Metres of a rest the Bullets touch each other, so I was of to a fine start. Federal 100 grain Ammunition moves at 3073 Ft/sec Muzzle Velocity. My 90-grain Flat Based Sako is loaded to 3240 Ft/sec. Andre' told me last year of a few 55 grain Noslers he had picked up, he was kind enough to let me have some.

I first loaded it with 45 grains S365 and got it to move at 3553 Ft/sec with grains behind it.

I loaded it up to 47 grains (I don't like compressed loads), Achieving 3800 Ft/sec. NO PRESSURE SIGNS

I decided to move to a faster Powder (S 341), starting with 45 grains at 3982 Ft/sec.

I ended at 4340 Ft/sec Muzzle velocity and 49 grains S 341.

Please note that I had cratering of the primer with S 341. I am sure I could have worked up even more velocity, but I had reached a 95 % case capacity. Also I don't want to buy Barrels by the 6 pack. Blitz Kings are available, but that would be a Varmint only Bullet. Therefore the Nozler was chosen due to its Solid Base construction. It is easy to calculate Muzzle Energy of the 55-grain boat tail at 4300 ft/sec = 2258 ft.lbs. Compare that to a 100-grain boat tail at 3000 ft/sec = 1999 ft.lbs.

The Groupings attached were shot from within a car, resting the rifle on the outside Mirror; therefore they are not truly representable of what these projectiles are capable of. Distance was just over 100 Metres. I also had a gusting wind from the side, whether that will make a difference in this case is doubtful. NOTE that this has been updated (check the Ballistic Graphs) !

S 365 3800 Ft/sec. S 341 4250 Ft/sec.