Looking for a .243 Win load

[Andrewe]

Anyone have any load specs for a .243 Win using an 85 grain Sierra HPBT? None of my manuals seem to have this exact bullet. I have one load using 46 gr IMR-4831 @ 3145 fps but I suspect this is a hot load and I'd like to try something more reasonable for my first crack at reloading.

BTW. It'll be a mid range coyote hunting round in my A-bolt Micro Hunter.

Thanks in adavance...

 

[ricciardelli]

http://stevespages.com/243_2_85.html

My favorite load:
Bullet: Sierra 85 Grain HPBT
Powder: 40.4 grains of IMR-4350
Primer: Remington 9-1/2
Case: Remington
Firearm: Ruger 77R
Optics: Leupold 3x9
Velocity: 3010 FPS @ 15' from muzzle
Accuracy: 5 shots, 200 yards, ~0.75"

 

[todbartell]

I'd be trying Varget or RL15, maybe 4064 if I were you.

 

[Andrewe]

Wow Ricciardeli!

Thanks for the great link. It is just what I need and more. Your load sounds pretty darn good too.

 

[sunray]

IMR4350 works well with heavier bullets too. 46 grains of IMR4831 is close to max, but not very close. 48.5 is max for that bullet weight. 2.5 grains is more than it sounds.
Go here too. http://www.imrpowder.com/data/rifle/243win-2005apr03.php

 

[Mike]

I don't have any books that list that bullet and powder combo so I can't help you there, but I can say the sierra 85 HPBT is one good bullet. I shoot it from a 6mm Rem into little groups and it doesn't make too much mess of a coyote (that is if you're keeping the hides).

 

[Andrewe]

That's good to know Mike. This is my first time reloading so I'm relying a lot on what the salesman tells me. I'm hoping to shoot out to 300 yards or more. We'll see how it does on targets first though.