.243 Reloaders

3macs1

3macs1

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Nova Scotia Canada
Getting back into reloading rifle after 10 years and starting with the 243.
Like to know now what is your go to powder, primers and bullets.
I will be using it for deer and coyotes so looking at 58g and 100g possibly.
Don't want pelt damage on the coyotes or minimal damage and don't want to blow a 3" hole in the deer. 50 -200 yard shots max
Please don't tell me to buy a book. I have a ton of books. Just asking from real life experiences with 243 reloads and today's components. Thanks for the feedback:cheers:
 
I can't tell you much about coyote pelt damage since I always want an instant humane kill!

For components, it's simple:
  • Hornady brass (my preference but Nosler, Norma and Lapua are better),
  • Federal 210M primers,
  • Varget for 68gr Berget Match or 70gr Sierra MatchKing - short, medium range target,
  • Varget for 70gr or 80gr Ballistic Tip - medium range varminting,
  • H-4350 for 87gr Hornady V-Max - long range varminting,
  • H-4350 or H-4831 for 95gr Berget VLD or 95gr Sierra MatchKing - long range target,
  • H-4350 or H-4831 for 85gr Barnes TSX or Nosler Accubond - for deer

My deer load only depends on which bullet among Barnes TSX or Nosler Accubond is accurate from a given rifle while feeding through the magazine.
I have a preference for light, fast TSXs but Accubonds will yield match accuracy!

One extremely accurate bullet which I've never used for hunting is the Hornady 95gr SST. Accuracy has to be seen to be believed.

Most 243 Win will shot 1/2 MOA at 200m with a high quality 85-95gr bullet, H4350 powder, Federal 210M primer and quality cases (I like Hornady but Nosler, Norma and Lapua are better).

I can talk about 243 Win reloading all day long but must go back to work ;)

Alex
 
I know one thing, in my Remy VLS 243 I shot a coyote at approximately 425 yds with the Gr v-max, it blew the side out of him. I have shot the Gr v-max as well but not at anything living,groups were so so. I went to the Gr Hornady SST's and found (in my rifle) I get 1/2 inch groups a 200m so this will be my go to bullet for both Deer and Wolf this year. I use winchester brass,Remington 9 and 1/2 primers, Gr SST bullets seated thou off the lands with Gr's of H-4350 doing an average of 3165fps.

Keep testing I always say.
Cheers:cheers:
 
100 Partition chased by H3831 or H4350 for deer.
55-58 grain bullets chased by Varget or H380.
I prefer the 55 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, since it does not always exit a coyote at 243 velocities. If it DOES exit, there will be pelt damage.
I consider Norma & Nosler brass very good but on the "soft" side
Lapua is best, with my second choices Winchester & Hornady.
Regards, Eagleye.
 
Hornady 100gr BTSP #2453 over a MAX load (+1gr) of H-4350 for deer - works like lightning!

I think a work-up to a max load is a good idea and watch for pressure signs on the way...

Standard primers work well - although some manuals suggest magnum primers. I use WLR with no problems. OAL = 2.650" is fine.

58gr V-max bullets can make a mess on groundhogs - never tried them on 'yotes. For these bullets, I use a VERY healthy dose of H-380.

I read somewhere that the best powders for the 243 are H-380 for bullets up to 87gr and for over 87gr, use 4350 (either H- or IMR-). Works for me!

Welcome back to reloading - have fun!
 
I haven't shot any coyotes with the 243, only deer.

For deer I load 80gr ttsx/85gr tsx with H4350. I have zero interest in any other bullet for deer in this caliber.

Cheers

P.S. I use remington brass and remington 9 1/2 primers.
 
In my newly acquired 700 VLS, I have had some nice results with Win Brass, IMR4350 powder, Rem 9 1/2 primer and 100 gr. Speer BTSP.

In my Son's Savage; Win Brass, H4350 or IMR4350, Rem 9 1/2 primers and 100 gr. Hornady spire point.
 
Don't want pelt damage on the coyotes or minimal damage
Click to expand...

Then you have the wrong caliber. .243 will almost always produce a great big exit wound. I shot a bunch of yotes using the 70gr BT and it smotes them dead like the fist of god but the pelt aint pretty afterward.

Something smaller and faster would be the ticket if you want to save pelts.
 
Suputin said:
Then you have the wrong caliber. .243 will almost always produce a great big exit wound. I shot a bunch of yotes using the 70gr BT and it smotes them dead like the fist of god but the pelt aint pretty afterward.

Something smaller and faster would be the ticket if you want to save pelts.
Click to expand...

Trouble is that is the smallest I am allowed to use for deer and I want just one gun to reload for.
I shot 4 last year with the factory 58g varmit and almost no damage.
 
My Best has just been with deer bullets. 100gr sierra gameking behind a hefty charge of IMR 4831. Good groups and chronographed averaging 3075 out of a 22" barrel. I can live with that.
 
I just started reloading for .243 and have shot 3 coyotes with it,1 was 372 yds(lucky shot)87 gr hornady HPBT with 43 grs imr 4350 rem brass and winchester mag primers.That seems to be the best load I have found for mine so far.243 and no pelt damage might be a little tougher though.
 
After shooting Superformance 95 gr SST out of the Bavarian of my wife, i quit reloading for that caliber, i just cant match their velocity and it will group with my best handloads, for 26.00 for 20 u cant beat that... JP.
 
For your uses, I would load up an 80gr TTSX for deer. For coyotes/target practice. I would use a cheap, C&C bullet of similar weight, like a Sierra 85gr HPBT, Hornady IL, etc. Worked well for me, and many deer fell to the 85gr TSX (the 80gr TTSX is the newest version).
 
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