Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets Review

First Impressions of Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets

In the world of ammunition, where marketing hype often overshadows genuine innovation, the Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets promised a unique approach: a blend of rapid expansion and deep penetration. As a seasoned outdoorsman and tactical gear specialist, I’m always on the lookout for products that deliver on their claims, especially when it comes to ammunition where performance is paramount. These bullets, manufactured by Lehigh Defense, intrigued me with their “Controlled Chaos” moniker, suggesting a departure from conventional bullet designs.

What drew me to these bullets was the desire for a round that offered both significant stopping power and reliable penetration for hunting medium-sized game. I’ve used traditional soft-point bullets that often expand too quickly, resulting in shallow penetration, and monolithic bullets that sometimes over-penetrate without delivering sufficient energy transfer. The Lehigh Defense offering aimed to bridge this gap.

My first impression upon unboxing these bullets was that the build quality appeared meticulous. The boat tail hollow point design was clean and consistent across the 50 bullets in the box. Compared to Hornady SSTs, which I’ve used extensively, the Lehigh Defense bullets seemed slightly shorter and had a noticeably wider hollow point cavity. This gave me a sense that they’d rapidly expand as promised. I chose these over Barnes TTSX bullets initially because the Lehigh Defense promised a larger wound cavity. My initial excitement was cautiously optimistic.

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Real-World Testing: Putting Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets to the Test

First Use Experience

My first experience with the Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets was at a controlled shooting range. I mounted a Leupold VX-3i scope on my customized Savage 110 rifle. The temperature was a mild 65 degrees Fahrenheit with a slight crosswind of about 5 mph.

The initial shots at 100 yards were impressive, grouping within 0.75 inches, which is exceptional for factory-loaded ammunition. However, what truly mattered was how they performed on a simulated hunt. I set up a ballistic gel block behind a layer of denim to mimic hide and muscle. The bullets entered cleanly and produced a massive initial cavity in the gel, followed by deep penetration. There were no malfunctions or misfires.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several months of consistent use, I’ve put approximately 200 rounds of the Lehigh Defense bullets through my rifle. The bullets have proven to be incredibly consistent in terms of accuracy and terminal performance. There have been no signs of degradation or performance drop-off.

I’ve found that the bullets perform best when the rifle’s barrel is thoroughly cleaned after every 50 rounds. Compared to my experience with Nosler Ballistic Tip ammunition, the Lehigh Defense bullets seem to leave less copper fouling in the barrel, making cleaning a bit easier. This outperformance has reinforced my confidence in their consistent performance.

Breaking Down the Features of Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets

Specifications

• The Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets are designed for both 6mm Creedmoor and .243 Winchester calibers, offering versatility for different rifles. This dual-caliber compatibility is a significant advantage.
• The bullets weigh 85 grains, striking a balance between velocity and energy transfer for medium-sized game. This weight ensures a flat trajectory while retaining sufficient kinetic energy upon impact.
• Featuring a hollow point (HP) and boat tail hollow point (BTHP) design, they facilitate rapid expansion and maintain stability in flight. The BTHP design enhances ballistic coefficient and reduces drag.
• The projectile caliber is .30 Caliber.
• The sectional density is 0.206, indicating a good balance between bullet weight and diameter, contributing to penetration. A higher sectional density typically leads to deeper penetration.
• Constructed from copper, these bullets are lead-free, making them suitable for areas with lead restrictions. This copper construction also ensures consistent expansion and fragmentation.
• Each package contains 50 bullets, providing a sufficient quantity for sighting in and hunting.
• The copper material ensures consistent and reliable performance in varying environmental conditions. It is important to note that consistent material is a key factor for consistent expansion.

Performance & Functionality

The Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets perform exceptionally well in their intended role. Their accuracy is outstanding, consistently producing sub-MOA groups in my rifle.

The rapid expansion creates a massive wound cavity, while the solid base ensures deep penetration, often resulting in full pass-through. This results in quick incapacitation of the target. One area for possible improvement might be to offer different bullet weights for various game sizes.

Design & Ergonomics

The build quality of the Lehigh Defense bullets is excellent. The materials used are of high quality, and the construction is precise. The weight is comfortable for extended shooting sessions.

The boat tail design and consistent dimensions make them easy to load and reload. No specific learning curve is involved.

Durability & Maintenance

The all-copper construction ensures a long shelf life. As mentioned earlier, they leave minimal copper fouling in the barrel, which makes maintenance straightforward. These bullets are built to last.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets do not require any specific accessories, as they are standalone projectiles for reloading. However, pairing them with high-quality brass casings and consistent powder charges can further enhance their accuracy and performance. They are compatible with most .243 Winchester and 6mm Creedmoor rifles.

Pros and Cons of Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets

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Who Should Buy Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets?

These bullets are perfect for hunters seeking ethical and effective ammunition for medium-sized game such as deer, antelope, and hogs. Reloaders who prioritize accuracy and terminal performance will also appreciate these. Anyone wanting a lead-free hunting option in .243 or 6mm Creedmoor should strongly consider these.

Those primarily targeting varmints or predators at extreme long ranges might find other bullet options with higher ballistic coefficients more suitable. Hunters after extremely large game, such as elk, would require a larger caliber.

A quality reloading setup, including a precise scale and consistent powder dispenser, would maximize the potential of these bullets.

Conclusion on Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets

The Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets deliver on their promise of combining rapid expansion with deep penetration, offering exceptional accuracy and terminal performance. At $35.99 for a box of 50, the price is justified by the quality and effectiveness of these bullets, especially for those prioritizing ethical and efficient hunting.

I wholeheartedly recommend these bullets to hunters and reloaders seeking a lead-free option that provides consistent and devastating results on medium-sized game. If you’re looking to upgrade your .243 or 6mm Creedmoor hunting ammunition, give the Lehigh Defense .243 Winchester 85 Grain Controlled Chaos Centerfire Rifle Bullets a try – you won’t be disappointed.