Latest Loads: Budget-Friendly .243 Win.

by
posted on January 23, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
243.jpg

Low cost doesn’t necessarily equate to lousy performance. A case in point: Recently, while using a Savage Axis rifle in .243 Win.—purchased at Walmart for $269 and subsequently fitted with an aftermarket Timney trigger and a Bushnell Banner 6-18X 50 mm scope in basic Weaver bases/rings—and the recipe below, I was able to achieve sub-m.o.a. performance for five consecutive, five-shot groups at 100 yds. Three-shot, one-half-m.o.a. groups were commonplace. These groups weren’t achieved using match-grade, target-specific bullets, either; rather, I used Hornady’s high-performance, yet low-cost, 95-gr. Super Shock Tip (SST) bullets, which were designed for hunting medium-size game, such as deer and antelope. This all speaks to the quality of firearms, optics and handloading components available to shooters and hunters today—even those with low price points. You can get a lot for a little.

Latest

Weatherby 307 New Models F
Weatherby 307 New Models F

New For 2025: Weatherby Model 307 Range XP 2.0 & Alpine ST Rifles

Weatherby's Model 307 bolt-action rifle opens up a world of aftermarket components to consumers, thanks to its Model 700 receiver footprint, and the company now has two new models for hunters and sport shooters.

Preview: Thunderbolt To The Rebels | The United States Sharpshooters In The Civil War

Author Darin Wipperman provides a tantalizing glimpse into the world of Berdan’s sharpshooters during the American Civil War.

Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine

This week, we're on the range with the Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine, a rimfire variant of the AR-15 that's designed for reliability and gives enthusiasts a way to shoot affordably.

The Armed Citizen® July 11, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Japanese Last-Ditch Small Arms Of World War II

The crude assortment of fighting tools used by the Japanese during World War II give clues of an unprepared and unmatched last-ditch fight that ultimately lead to Allied victory.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.