243 Win Powder/Bullet Recommendations

P

peitech

Member
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
Winnipeg
So getting better results with reloading as I gain experience. Funny thing is my most successful loads have been:
223 Rem 52 SMK and Benchmark, 69 SMK and Varget
270 Win 130 NBT and H4831
338 WinMag 225 NAB and RL19
I tried a few powders and bullets to end up with these... I'm sure they are just about the most common loads for each cartridge listed.

So 243 Winchester bolt action 22" barrel 1 in 10" twist I am thinking two loads; 70-85gr varmint load and 85-100gr deer load.

Powders I am thinking are Varget, Imr 4350, H4350 and RL-17. Bullets Sierra, Nosler, Barnes and Hornady. Most of this is because of availabilty but willing to look at other components. No need for exact load because I'll have to develop it anyway.
 
I have a Savage in .243 that likes H4831 and a Remington psp travelling 2960 fps. It also likes a a 58G Vmax with IMR4064. I havent checked the velosity but it should be about mid range for that bullet. The 100g load goes into 1" at 100 yards and the 58G load makes an honest 1/2" hole at 100 yards. I have had a tough winter health wise so I havent got out to test the Vmax on anything other than paper. The 100g Remington dropped a nice buck at 125 yards this last season.
 
I have had good luck with 100gr Sierra gamekings and 43 gr imr 4831. Chronographed at averaging 3125 fps 22" barrel. Imr 4064 is also awesome with this bullet but about 2950 fps. Both powders gave 5 shot groups under an inch.
 
I use 4831 in my 243 with 100 gr. bullets, mostly Hornady. 4350 either make works very well with the 100 gr. bullets, likely all the powders you listed will be suitable. Play with them all, gives you much more trigger time.
 
I have tried a few combos and came up with Gr's of H4350 behind a 95 gr Hornady SST, took two whitetails last year with this load but it could be a little hot in some rifles. It clocks at 3165 on average in my 1 in 9.25 Remington VLS.
Cheers
 
Thanks for all the replies. Seems like the 243 is pretty forgiving and lots of components work for it. I know the writers from the past had their favorites (O'Conner's 270 with 60gr H4831 and 130gr bullet, Keith loved the 338 with heavy bullets) did Warren Page ever do the same for the 243?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom