Hay guys just started loading for my 243, just wanted to know what people are running or any recommendations?
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Hay guys just started loading for my 243, just wanted to know what people are running or any recommendations?
I use 87 gn Hornady SP with 43.6 gn 2209 for everything from hares to goats and large reds. Mind you I do not shoot at anything over 150 meters away.
Get on to Extensive Field-Tested Rifle & Cartridge Research - BallisticStudies.com. and ask Nathan for his .243 info. I shot one for years with varying results- I wish I had known then what I now know about the calibre.
Thanks, the rife is going to be more of a bush rifle so it wouldn't be pushing out past 150 meters,
Thanks ill have a read, haven't loaded for 243 so im just see what everyone finds good for nz bush
Myself and a couple of mates are using Sierra 85g HPBT with fantastic results, from memory 44grns of 2209, at work so don't have all the info at hand...have been great, even out to 209m..certainly worth a look at... I'm about to look at a load on Sierra 107g MK still playing with the idea...
Has anyone tryed 95gn projectiles?
Yep bergers. They hit harder than a freight train! I tipped over two pigs last time I took the .243 out. One at 100 yards and one at just over 200; those projectiles are devastating killers - waste some meat though.
I was just loading some 162 Amax and compared them with the 95 burgers - the bergers look like toy bullets!
So overall 2209 powder is the way to go? Might have to get some sample packs but i think im going to try some 87gn & some 95gn projectiles
Have had lots of success with Sierra 100gr pro hunters on Reds haven't shot anything else with them.
I've only used factory ammo but 95gn sst have dropped everything I've pointed them at including a good sika stag at 310m. Love the 243.
I chase alot of fellow so I don't want anything to hard on the meat
The easy recipe that works for most people is 43-44gn AR2209 with a sierra 85gn or the 87gn Hornady on top. They will be doing around the 3000fps.
Most people get a reliable load in that sort of combination. Then you can try different combos later -95gn targex, different powders like w760 or R17.
Thanks beatfoot. Might do that. 87gn and 2209 as a base load, then experiment from there
.*barefoot.*
Agree, stick to the basic 85/87 and 2209.
You are bound to want to experiment later. I use N550 and Hybrid 100v powders now and get a good step up in velocity. But it may not be worth the mucking around for you.
95 Bergers and 2209 @3040fps is awesome in my rifle.
I run 85gn txs ahead of 40gn 2206h 3000fps 16 inch barrel though like the txs kill well
I'm shooting 95gn Targex's with a couple of different powder combo's under them .... the best seems to be 47gn AR2225 with the projectile seated 10thou off the lands .
They kill well and are also very accurate .
@elcaro has just bought himself a 243 (and is currently lurking on here) .. maybe worthwhile for him to read this thread .....
Wash your mouth out @Tahr ;) . It's ALWAYS worth a bit of mucking around :D :D :D
T
i use 43.5 gr of 2209, and a 95 gr hornady sst. my sako shoots 5 shots into a 10c peice at 200y, and my parker hale shoots just an inch and a half at 200y. still lovely to shoot my mrs enjoys hunting with it aswell.
36.5gr IMR4064 with 90gr Scirocco,s works nice
Attachment 41658
might as well add my 10cents worth.
here's a couple that work for me. on the left is a 87gr hornady sp , low tech bullet but one that kills great at normal hunting ranges.for some reason it shoots real good too.under it is a lapua case ,fed210 primer and 44gr of 2209.
if you have a 24" 1-10 barrel expect around 3150+ fps. h414 @ 44grs gives you 3300+ but the SD gets a bit high, but that wont bother you if your shooting under 350 yards.this load may be to hot for some rifles.
100gr sierra pro hunter is another old school bullet that shoots real good as well.
winchester brass works just fine as well if your on a budget.the lapua doesnt shoot any better, the primer pockets stay tighter a couple of firings longer.imr4064 and 2209 are the go to powders.dont touch re17. it delivers the xtra velocity
but im yet to see it shoot accurately in anything and the throat erosion is unacceptable.
on the right is what you make if you've got plenty of time to kill.
its a .308 lapua palma case, small primer ,small flash hole, put through several steps of bushings to get it down to a size good for inside neck reaming , then outside neck turned.
fed 205m, 46.7gr of h1000 / 2217. topped off with a HBN coated berger 105gr hybrid. delivers 3000fps with single digit SD's in a 26" 1-8 barrel
2209 works good as well but slow burning 2217 will extends barrel life 400-500 rounds.2217 burns cooler witch helps if your doing 20 shot strings in f-class type events.
n560 delivers as well but tends to burn alot more sooty.
Visiting my LGS today and they showed me a picture of a 243 Howa that a customer had bought and hand loaded some rounds for, he couldn't get the bolt to close or remove a chambered live round so took it to the local gun smith, he managed to close the bolt and fired the round, which blew the bolt handle and much of the RHS of the action to pieces.
turns out the guy had never reloaded before and just filled the case up and seated the projectile on top, luckily the gunsmith wasn't injured
shot this 30 mins ago , kimber 243 using factory 95 grn fusion at just over 200m , I really rate the fusions always hold together.
Attachment 41760
Attachment 41762
General consensus is 2209 for 90gr softpoints? 2208 work ok?
Loaded up some 90gr Hot-Cor FBSP rounds (heaviest projectile that I know a 1:10 will spin fine) Should be decent weather this saturday so will give her a go then.
The best load ever after using a 243 on the odd occasion is:
243
85 grn Interbond
2.715 oal in my rifle (10 thou off lands)
43 grns Hybrid V 100 (don't try this at home. Start lower)
3270fps
20" xbolt.
Tiny target holes. Large animal holes.
Best load for a 243?
Get a 243 improved. Commonly known as a 308.
Funny way of spelling .260
I got one of these howa .243s (a friend owns it...honest!). I was happy to learn I can use my stocks of 4831sc but bummed out at how short the howa chamber throat is. I mean it's bugger all out much further than (using the canulure line to the case mouth. Now where's the fun in that??
Forbes .243
90Gr Speer hotcore
2209 43.5gn
15 thou jump
Lapua brass
CCI primer
3025fps out of 21"
Literally a single hole, approx 5 mm 3 shot group
Thanks @Barefoot, just loading up some 87gr BTHP's, will go 43.5gr 2209.
Going to see how these go, if not happy with the performance I'll switch to the 85gr Sierra