Thread: Best 243 load

If you are going to try different powders another good one for the 243 would be AR 2213 sc I used its equivalent in H4831 behind 87 grn Hornady's with good effect.
But if you are going to try a lot of lighter projo's you may be better off with a faster powder.

I have been doing a lot of head scratching lately… Since my loads don't "stack" with the predictions i keep looking for an answer for my "troubles"… I know it is the "thing" about reload… So, since make the rounds longer, i mean close to the "lands", is not working i decide to go the other way, make it shorter… I measure again the "OGIVE" length of my Winchester factory rounds (that shoot quiet well) and loaded another 3 different length going "shorter" than previously till achieve the length of the factory ammo.
I haven't had time to go and shoot it yet but as soon i do i will put an update about it.

Cheers.

Mac

I have only shot goats with a .243 and found that the heavier bullets (100 and 105gr) tended to punch a 6mm hole unless they struck bone and don't mushroom too well. Maybe best for bigger deer? The 87gr ones worked better and shot more accurately in my savage.

I shoot 2x 243's.
In a Savage 99 I used to use 75gr Hornady SP for goats. 46 gr H4350 was probably a little hot as the odd one was sticky. Very much a varmint round and left big exit holes at short range.

More recently I have moved to 2 loads.
Short range goats and pests in bush at 10-20 mtr.
Hornady Brass, CCI 200 LR primer, Hornandy 58 gr Vmax, 14 gr trail boss for 22 hornet like estimated 2400 fps.
For longer range bush and North island clearings out to 150mtr
Hornady brass, CCI 200 LR primer, Berger 87 gr VLD, 40.5 gr W760 (H414). I have tested it with up to 42.5 gr but as I don't want to eat out the barrel and don't shoot long range this soft load works very well for me.
The largest I have shot with it is large red Hinds. Mostly it's been uses on goats and fallow.
Zane

@ZQLewis thanks for your input on the VLD style 6mm projectiles, I suspect you can't group the 105's as they might require a 1:7 twist? Have you tried the 95gr Berger's at all?
@winaa it's not cheap, but it's there
http://www.halcyonpublishing.co.nz/h...he-hunted.html

Hi Timmay,
According to Berger the 105 should be ok with a 1:8 twist.
I have loaded the 105 down to 1040 fps subsonic and they hit the target straight.
Ps at 30-100 mtr when they hit a goat they tumble and make a mess.

Have not tried the 95's but have ordered some 108 ELD match to have a play with.
Zane

Did some "Kiwi DIY" in my Rem700 BDM… went from 1.5" to this…
A can of "Lift+" and some "shims" cut from it and some improvement… Ammo is Winchester 100gr Factory at 100yds…

I haven't used the serria 85 gr game King since I started reloading but I used to buy some federal loaded with them and would recommend them everyday. They have a great reputation..

Ps great groups of 4 shoots for factory hunting ammo.
Zane