Nosler (6mm) 243 90 grain E-Tip

[mike4aera]

Trying to find a non-lead bullet and load recipe for my Wife to deer hunt in Calif. Rifle is Win 243 bolt action, 20" barrel, 1-10 twist. Rifle does not like Barnes 85gr TSX. Found a couple sample packs (12 bullets) of Nosler 90 grain E-Tips. Has anyone had positive results with the 90 grain E-Tip in a similar rifle. I have IMR 4350, H4350 and Varget as powders. I'm limited on load developement due to bullet shortage. Thanks in advance

 

[fdkay]

A bit spendy, but here are some more:

Nosler E-Tip Bullets 243 Cal, 6mm (243 Diameter) 90 Grain Spitzer Boat

Nosler's E-Tip lead-free bullet features the same polycarbonate tip found on the popular AccuBond and Ballistic Tip bullets prevents deformation in the...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[mike4aera]

Gunny, I've got a few of the Nosler 90 grain E tips, I need help with load data, not a link to Midway

 

[fdkay]

Gunny, I've got a few of the Nosler 90 grain E tips, I need help with load data, not a link to Midway

12 bullets likely isn't enough to get a good idea if a load is going to work, hence the link to more bullets.
Since you have hodgdon powders, I suggest you go to the hodgdon reloading data center, select rifle loads, then select .243, then select the proper bullet weight, then select hodgdon powders, check the appropriate powders and like magic, load data appears.

Reloading Data Center

www.hodgdonreloading.com

 

[GONE BAD]

I think the twist of that rifle will be to slow?
Nosler says 1:9 twist minimum

 

[fdkay]

May want to explore the hornady 80 grain gmx if they can be found

 

[mike4aera]

Thanks Gunny, that is my original point, as I stated. I was able to find three of the sample packs containing 12 bullets each so I have 36 to work with. Was hoping someone may have a rifle with similar barrel length and twist and had found an accurate load and seating depth. In what I have read, this bullet likes different jumps from the lands depending on the rifle. I did check Midway and they had these bullets in stock so I purchased two boxes thanks to your info.

 

[fdkay]

Thanks Gunny, that is my original point, as I stated. I was able to find three of the sample packs containing 12 bullets each so I have 36 to work with. Was hoping someone may have a rifle with similar barrel length and twist and had found an accurate load and seating depth. In what I have read, this bullet likes different jumps from the lands depending on the rifle. I did check Midway and they had these bullets in stock so I purchased two boxes thanks to your info.

That's the thing with developing a load. I could have the exact same rifle, same barrel length, contour and twist rate that came off the factory floor right after your rifle and it may or may not like the same load.
You can get a general idea, but there is always the chance that it isn't even close.
I don't currently have a .243 and I have never used the bullet listed, otherwise I would have shared, as your powders are definitely good choices.

 

[mike4aera]

Very true Gunny, with the limited amount of bullets it's about the only option I have. I am headed out today to try a recipe with 38.5 grains of Varget at 4 different seating depths and hope I come across something I can work with. Will post what I find later. Not sure how long it will take for the two boxes to arrive from Midway but at least I have that in the works. Thanks again

 

[MarshallDodge]

Some data that may help-

I have an older Remington ADL in .243 with the 1:9.5 twist.

Using the 95 SMK, 32.5 H4895 and 33.0 Varget both worked well enough for 3-shots under 1" on paper and hits at 400 yards on a 10" square. The slender barrel would heat up after 3-shots and started to drift.

I used a COAL of 2.650", and didn’t even try seating depth considering what I was working with.

 

[mike4aera]

Nothing has worked so far. I will try the recipe Marshall Dodge suggested and see if that shows some promise. Thanks Marshall

 

[MarshallDodge]

Glad I could help

I just looked on Nosler's website and it states that the 90 Grain E-Tip requires a 1:9 twist which could be your issue if you have a 1:10 twist.

In my experience, the lead free bullets are a little longer to make up for the density loss of a lead core. Longer bullets need faster twists.

 

[mike4aera]

Thank you Marshall Dodge, I tried your recipe of 33.0 grains of Varget and moved the seating depth out .010 from what you had and shot a 4 shot ground under 1 inch at 100 yards. This is something I can work with.