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243 Win Loads
- Thread starter shooter308
- Start date
I've got a question for the 243 guys. I've got a Winchester Model 70 Youth Ranger that my Dad bought for me back in the mid 90s. I shot my first deer with it in '96. I still use it on whitetails to this day and now I am going to start reloading for it. I've got Hornady once fired brass and CCI LRPs, and a box of 87 Grain Hunting VLDs that are supposed to be here tomorrow. My barrel twist is 9.5.
I have an over all length gauge, but I believe I will be limited by the length of the mag well. I'm not sure that's the correct term, as the bottom of the rifle drops out and it has a spring attached to the follower. Either way, that's not important right now.
I have two questions.
1. Which powder? I've got H335 and IMR 4064 on hand, as well as some Benchmark, TAC, Varget and IMR 4895. If possible, I would like to use one of the powders I have on hand.
2. I've been reading that the Bergers like to be in the lands, or a decent jump. Can someone give me a good starting length, or should I always start with the SAAMI spec?
I have an over all length gauge, but I believe I will be limited by the length of the mag well. I'm not sure that's the correct term, as the bottom of the rifle drops out and it has a spring attached to the follower. Either way, that's not important right now.
I have two questions.
1. Which powder? I've got H335 and IMR 4064 on hand, as well as some Benchmark, TAC, Varget and IMR 4895. If possible, I would like to use one of the powders I have on hand.
2. I've been reading that the Bergers like to be in the lands, or a decent jump. Can someone give me a good starting length, or should I always start with the SAAMI spec?
Haven't reloaded for my .243 yet, but i've shot quite a bit of Bergers in other calibers...
In my experience, the VLD like to be .010" (ten-thousands) jammed or .035" (thirty-five thousands) jumped. In three of my rifles, much outside that range, and i got crappy groups...like 1.5 - 2" groups...or single hole groups with the distances i told you.
The hybrids are supposed to be less seating depth tolerant, but i haven't shot those yet.
Best of luck.
In my experience, the VLD like to be .010" (ten-thousands) jammed or .035" (thirty-five thousands) jumped. In three of my rifles, much outside that range, and i got crappy groups...like 1.5 - 2" groups...or single hole groups with the distances i told you.
The hybrids are supposed to be less seating depth tolerant, but i haven't shot those yet.
Best of luck.
It must be a reflection of just how popular the 6x47 and the 6-Creed have become that this .243 thread is buried 5 pages deep. That being said can anyone provide me with some rough velocity estimations for a .243win throwing 105gr Hybrids from a 1/8 twist 26 inch barrel. Powder will be H4350. My smith is spinning the barrel up now and I'm playing around with the ballistics data - hoping to hit 3100fps without pushing the brass (lapua) too hard.
I have a .243 with bartline 8 twist heavy varmint barrel @ 26".My load is 41.5 grains of imr4350 with 105 IMAX( not for much longer as the 105 IMAX is discontinued ) I have been using ppu brass with cci magnum primers and getting 3100 easy. Not beating brass up either. Very accurate. Hope this helps.
I have been using 48.2 grains of retumbo. 105 rdfs, Cci 250's w hdy brass. Getting 3047 fps. High sd of 15.
Factory Rem700 SPS 9 1/8" twist 26" barrel.
95 grain Berger VLD's
46 grains of IMR 7828
CCI 200
Winchester cases
COAL 2.875"
3043 FPS
SD 8.9
1350' above sea level
I could not get 105-108's to stabilize. I could not find much for info on a factory rifle load that really worked. I tried a lot of different powders and heavier bullet combinations before I got to the 95's...
95 grain Berger VLD's
46 grains of IMR 7828
CCI 200
Winchester cases
COAL 2.875"
3043 FPS
SD 8.9
1350' above sea level
I could not get 105-108's to stabilize. I could not find much for info on a factory rifle load that really worked. I tried a lot of different powders and heavier bullet combinations before I got to the 95's...
Just bought some 105 hybrids to use in a 20” barrel .243 for whitetail deer here. Adding a 6.5 Ultra 7 suppressor.
Going to start with 41.5 grains H4350 in Lapua brass with Tula LRM primer.
Reckon I can use more than 41.5 and not have pressure issues?
Going to start with 41.5 grains H4350 in Lapua brass with Tula LRM primer.
Reckon I can use more than 41.5 and not have pressure issues?
Should have my 243 back in a few weeks, anyone had good luck with the 115 rebated dtacs using H1000?
I just chopped one of my .243 barrels to 21' - I'm interested in how your experiment turned out? Thanks
I used 4831sc with berger 105 hybrids and 105 rdf. It was accurate but shot at 2850fps out of a 26" barrel. I switched to retumbo 48.4 grn, and am now going 2990fps with similar accuracy. In a 7.7 twist.
What charge weight was that? 2850 is incredibly slow. My experience has been that 4831 gives much higher velocities than any other powder in longer barrel 243's with heavies. 3300-3400fps has been the norm for me before seeing pressure but accuracy has never been good there and it's way over match speed limits.
I actually gave up on 4831 completely because I found consistency wasn't there compared to other powders. I'd develop a great load that had good ES and SD and then my consistency at distance would be terrible and upon shooting over the chrono again ES/SD were way up. Redevelop the load and same issue. This was with same brass, powder lots, bullets, barrel, and everything. I now use H1000 and H4350 exclusively for 243 and always find a super solid load or two in the 3050-3150 range with 105 Hybrids and it remains consistent throughout the life of the barrel. Neither give the velocities 4831 did because 1000 tops out because of case capacity and 4350 because of pressure.
I dont remember, i think 42.5 grn of 4831sc. Dont use that as its real fuzzy. Thats where i found the accuracy.
Rifle: Ruger precision .243 win 26" factory barrel, 7.7 twist.
Winchester brass
Hornady 105gr bthp
44.4gr h4831
CCI 200 primers
Length 2.733"
Mv: 3125
SD: 8.9fps
Groups between 1/4-3/8ths
Winchester brass
Hornady 105gr bthp
44.4gr h4831
CCI 200 primers
Length 2.733"
Mv: 3125
SD: 8.9fps
Groups between 1/4-3/8ths
26" shillen 8 tw
H4350 40.5 gr
Barnes 105gr matchburner
2980 fps
Lapua brass
Rem 9 1/2 primers
H4350 40.5 gr
Barnes 105gr matchburner
2980 fps
Lapua brass
Rem 9 1/2 primers
20'' Savage 9.25 factory barrel
H4895 33.3G (overmax)
Hornady 105g BTHP
Hornady brass
CCI 200 primers
2783 FPS
ES 12
SD 6
no keyholing at 440 yards..have not tried farther yet
H4895 33.3G (overmax)
Hornady 105g BTHP
Hornady brass
CCI 200 primers
2783 FPS
ES 12
SD 6
no keyholing at 440 yards..have not tried farther yet
24" bartlien 7.5tw 5r aiat
107smk pointed, .547bc @2.280 ogive
43.5gr h4350, win match prep brass, cci br2 3110fps and bugholes at 100yds
And 750yd
107smk pointed, .547bc @2.280 ogive
43.5gr h4350, win match prep brass, cci br2 3110fps and bugholes at 100yds
And 750yd
Thanks. I'm having a bartlien 5r 7.5tw med Palma spun up for a curtis axiom in 243 cutright. Pretty cool rd, Jay cutright designed it and used it to win a bunch of 600 and 1000yd ibs trophies about 10yrs ago. 243win case with shoulder pushed back .050 with 243 cutright die, then fireformed in cutright chamber. Results in a longer nk, 37.5° shoulder, body taper identical to 6br. Case capacity is close to 243ai. Jay was getting 3150-3175 with 115 dtac and h4831sc in a 26" -30" barrel
Some win brass with bumped shoulder, loaded to measure nk size. His reamer is .270, but my chamber will be .275 no turn with a .185 freebore.
243win on left, 243 cutright on the right.
Some win brass with bumped shoulder, loaded to measure nk size. His reamer is .270, but my chamber will be .275 no turn with a .185 freebore.
243win on left, 243 cutright on the right.
Anyone got any varmint loads?
I've got some got Nosler 70gr purple tips and Hornady 87gr V-max I will be working up soon.
Using Federal brass and Federal 210M primers. Looking at starting with Varget for the Noslers and then IMR or H4350 for the Hornady, but open to other powder suggestions.
I've got some got Nosler 70gr purple tips and Hornady 87gr V-max I will be working up soon.
Using Federal brass and Federal 210M primers. Looking at starting with Varget for the Noslers and then IMR or H4350 for the Hornady, but open to other powder suggestions.
In my experience (I have shot LOTS of 243), you need at least 1:8 to stabilize 105s but it does vary depending on altitude. I used to shoot 1:8s all the time but tried a 1:7.5 a few years back so I could give 115s a whirl. Although I never really had much luck with 115s (you just have to push them so hard to come close to a Berger 105 hybrid in the wind that it didn't seem worthwhile), I have continued to use 1:7.5s and have never had to worry about stabilizing any 105 anywhere.
my load .346 at 100 yards
105 nosler RDF
41.5g of 4831sc
fed 210 primer
SD 9
avg fps 2851
I have a Mossberg 100ATR in 243, (I know, it was a bet), with a 22", 1:10 twist barrel.
I tried 5-6 100+ grain bullets and none would group using several different powders, ( 4064, H414, W760, R17,4350, 4320).
I have been able to find loads in the past for other rifles I have, but this rifle is frustrating. A conversation with a competitive BR shooter, he recommended a 75gr FB bullet for that twist. That is a bit light for a deer gun. I'm not looking at superb accuracy but looking to put 5 shots inside an inch at 100yds.
The 75gr bullets did shoot the best group, but out of 5 shots, one will fly on me. Supposedly, this rifle has a Howa 1500 action. It does not like to get hot. When it warms up the groups open up to 2" (or more) @ 100yds. The trigger is heavier than any other rifle I have, and I have tried to adjust it to be lighter.
I have thought of just selling it and be done with it. Best group so far has been 1 1/4" groups with the 75gr or 85gr bullets. I think it's a deer gun with the 85gr Sierra Game King and 37.6gr 4320.
Changes I have made to this rifle:
- free floated the barrel, it wasn't clearanced at all
-Lightened the trigger as much as I could
-bedded the action
I have loaded bullets, ranging in weight from 105 - 75 in about every increment available from Sierra, Barnes, Nosler, Speer and Hornady using the above mentioned powders. So far, this has been about an eighteen month trial and error program. Boyd makes a stock and Timney has a trigger to fit it. My question, (I have already answered to myself is NO!), is this gun worth all the money for the trigger and stock to SEE if it helps it or just can it and use a Tika, Winchester Model 70, or a remington action build? I'm not sold on the 243 cartridge, this is the only one I have, and have a Savage 6.5 CM next to it.
What are your thoughts?
I tried 5-6 100+ grain bullets and none would group using several different powders, ( 4064, H414, W760, R17,4350, 4320).
I have been able to find loads in the past for other rifles I have, but this rifle is frustrating. A conversation with a competitive BR shooter, he recommended a 75gr FB bullet for that twist. That is a bit light for a deer gun. I'm not looking at superb accuracy but looking to put 5 shots inside an inch at 100yds.
The 75gr bullets did shoot the best group, but out of 5 shots, one will fly on me. Supposedly, this rifle has a Howa 1500 action. It does not like to get hot. When it warms up the groups open up to 2" (or more) @ 100yds. The trigger is heavier than any other rifle I have, and I have tried to adjust it to be lighter.
I have thought of just selling it and be done with it. Best group so far has been 1 1/4" groups with the 75gr or 85gr bullets. I think it's a deer gun with the 85gr Sierra Game King and 37.6gr 4320.
Changes I have made to this rifle:
- free floated the barrel, it wasn't clearanced at all
-Lightened the trigger as much as I could
-bedded the action
I have loaded bullets, ranging in weight from 105 - 75 in about every increment available from Sierra, Barnes, Nosler, Speer and Hornady using the above mentioned powders. So far, this has been about an eighteen month trial and error program. Boyd makes a stock and Timney has a trigger to fit it. My question, (I have already answered to myself is NO!), is this gun worth all the money for the trigger and stock to SEE if it helps it or just can it and use a Tika, Winchester Model 70, or a remington action build? I'm not sold on the 243 cartridge, this is the only one I have, and have a Savage 6.5 CM next to it.
What are your thoughts?
Your twist will struggle with 100+ grn bullets. Stay in the 80-90 grain setup. Thin barrels heat up easily. If it does not want to run, sell it. Don't fight a bad barrel.
The round is not to blame for your poor rifle accuracy. You could easily run a ruger american and get a cheap and fairly accurate rifle.
The round is not to blame for your poor rifle accuracy. You could easily run a ruger american and get a cheap and fairly accurate rifle.
"Your twist will struggle with 100+ grn bullets."
It does! Gave up on them. It does shoot the Sierra 100 gr Pro Hunter with 42.0 gr 4350 almost as good as it does the Sierra 85gr Game King.
Cheapest was the bet and I won, but accuracy suffered. What is the opinion of the Howa 1500 action?
It does! Gave up on them. It does shoot the Sierra 100 gr Pro Hunter with 42.0 gr 4350 almost as good as it does the Sierra 85gr Game King.
Cheapest was the bet and I won, but accuracy suffered. What is the opinion of the Howa 1500 action?
How you like the boron on the bullet did you add more powder on those bullets? Thank you
Shooting a LR243 with 24" X-Caliber barrel, 1:8" twist, rifle-length gas tube, adjustable gas block, 9.5 oz rifle buffer, and modified AR15 rifle buffer spring. Used for general long range target shooting and PRS gas gun comp. Gas is turned down to reduce felt recoil and the light buffer spring reduces forward impulse of bolt cycling. Current go to handload uses IMR4895 and SMK 95s. Sub 1/2 MOA groups at 100 yards, quick follow-up shots and self-spotting, and enough velocity to take me out to 1000 yards.
95 grain Sierra Matchking 6mm
37.3 grains IMR 4895
Federal 210M
Hornady cases
COAL 2.820"
2960 fps
Recently picked up some 6mm blemished 103 grain match bullets from Midway and would like to develop another handload for the LR243 using a slower burn rate powder and the better BC bullet. I have some Superformance that I used in my bolt gun but I think it's too slow for the gas gun. Goal is to maximize higher BC bullet and a slower powder to increase downrange velocity, improve barrel and brass life, and stretch out the rifle's max range beyond 1000 yards. Any suggestions on a powder?
95 grain Sierra Matchking 6mm
37.3 grains IMR 4895
Federal 210M
Hornady cases
COAL 2.820"
2960 fps
Recently picked up some 6mm blemished 103 grain match bullets from Midway and would like to develop another handload for the LR243 using a slower burn rate powder and the better BC bullet. I have some Superformance that I used in my bolt gun but I think it's too slow for the gas gun. Goal is to maximize higher BC bullet and a slower powder to increase downrange velocity, improve barrel and brass life, and stretch out the rifle's max range beyond 1000 yards. Any suggestions on a powder?
100 grain Nosler Partition. Kills quickly and leaves a great blood trail. Load data is both in the manual and online.
Nosler, .243 reloading data
Nosler, .243 reloading data
