100gr Peregrine VRG3 in a .243

[Richard83]

I am looking for a warthog load for a .243 as it is a much lighter and easier to handle rifle for kids, women and first time hunters. In our area most shots are between 50m and 100m.

Is/has anyone using/used 100gr peregrine in a .243 on warthogs?

[driepootx]

Depending on your rifle's twist rate these bullets might be too long. I would rather look at the 85gr VRG3.

[Koebelwagen]

I am looking for a warthog load for a .243 as it is a much lighter and easier to handle rifle for kids, women and first time hunters. In our area most shots are between 50m and 100m.

Is/has anyone using/used 100gr peregrine in a .243 on warthogs?

No need to go 100gr.

75-90gr monos will do the job every day of the week and be much, much easier to find an accurate load for.

Standard 1:10 twist .243's struggle to stabilise 100gr conventional bullets. I firmly believe this is where the idea that it is difficult to load for a .243Win comes from. Between me and my father we have had 5 x .243Win chambered rifles of various brands and have never had a problem developing very accurate loads with bullets in the 80-90gr range.

[ady]

I agree with what the guys have said about the 100gr bullet. I changed from 100gr to 87gr VRG4/5 in my 243. I'm getting much better accuracy and much less meat damage. I am very happy with the 87gr bullet so far.

The Peregrine reloading manual has the following load data for the 100gr VRG3


S 365
Min load 36.0gr 2700fps
Optimal load 40.0gr 2950fps
Max load 40.0gr 2950fps

S361
Min load 39.0gr 2700fps
Optimal load 43.0gr 2800fps
Max load 44.0gr 2900fps

[Adoons]

No need for 100 gr for Warthog. They are like most (all) hunted game. You can hit them and wound them with a 458 Lott with a bad shot or put them down on the spot with a decent placed shot with light recoiling setup. Warthog are actually small and broadside they are very "soft". You don't need a lot of energy to fully penetrate them. 85 gr will do it just as good as 100 gr on Warthog with even less (probably not noticed) recoil than 100 gr, especially as you want a "kids" load. We never want wounding, with kids even more so, but if a Warthog is wounded it will definitely not be because of 85 gr vs 100 gr bullets of same type.

[driepootx]

Attachment 35441

Herewith theoretical calculation with 85gr VRG3 and 24 inch barrel to reach Node 5. The actual burning rate and barrel length will play a role, but a 85gr bullet at 3000fps is giving a low pressure, flat shooting and low recoil solution that will penetrate more than a metre.

[Richard83]

Thanks for all the feedback. I will go with the 85gr's.