Where to start with the .243 ?

Alleycat

Alleycat

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I want to start reloading .243 for a new Axis I just acquired and I'm pretty much ready to go except for one important thing. I'm overwhelmed with bullet powder combinations and don't know where to start. What I would like to do is put together a smokin varmint load based around a 58 to 70 grain bullet (really not sure what bullet to go with) and a deer hunting load possibly with the Barnes TTSX in mind as I've read good reports on these however I'm open to opinions.

Since I'm posting I'll also mention I have a couple nice model 99's in .250 and .300 sav and I think I may give reloading these a try as well. I don't shoot them that much but there isn't much available from the factory any more, particularly for the .250.

Thanks
A
 
"...reloading .243..." To do what? Deer sized game or varmints? If varmints, you shooting ground hogs or coyotes/fox. Coyotes/fox for the hides?
I've been using a .243 for eons. Ground hogs mostly. Went to 90 grain FMJ's for varmints, including coyotes/fox after I saw a fox with his back to me. (Didn't know at the time that there was no season for 'em so I didn't shoot. Naturally I've never seen one since.) Speer 105 grain SP's for deer sized game. 105's do astounding things to ground hogs. Never bothered with light varmint bullets.
Commercial hunting rifles, like your Axis, are rifled for heavy bullets (85 grains and up.). A varmint won't know or care what the weight of the bullet was that killed it, but it matters for deer sized game(deer, bear, antelope. Not that you'll see any of those near Ottawa.) though. Not so much the weight as the construction. Most bullets less than 85 grains are varmint bullets and are not suitable for deer sized game. It's not a horrible idea to pick a deer bullet, work up the load and use it for everything.
Barnes bullets are both expensive and not terribly easy to find here. And you cannot bring 'em in from the States. U.S. law. They require Barnes' load data too.
"....250 and .300 Sav..." You might have a time finding brass. Epp's(first place to go for anything remotely unusual) list it, but that doesn't mean they have any in stock. I have data if you need it.
 
You will never go wrong with the 100gr Nosler partition for the .243 on big game. I have tried 70gr sierra blitzkings and 80gr spire points. Good results with Varget, I4064, I3031 for lighter bullets. H or I 4350 for 100 grainers. You will really enjoy how the 243 shoots tight groups with the wide variety of options. My two bits.
 
Thanks guys,
My rifle will be used for coyotes and other small critters, deer, maybe even black bear if the opportunity arises and of course non competitive target shooting...what am I saying? target shooting is always competitive in one form or another...;)
Local supplier says they have IMR 3031, Benchmark and H4350 in stock ... figures I have to start reloading in the middle of a component drought! :redface:
 
We have had very good results with H414 and 58 or 75gr Vmax bullets. For deer, we use 100gr Partitions or other 100gr game bullets with IMR 4350. We have some 85gr TSX bullets on hand, but haven't tried them out yet. So many options, have fun trying out different ones. If your Axis shoots anything like our model 111, you will be very happy.
 
I've been shooting the 87 gr vmax on top of some reloder 17. Shoots really well for me out to 500M (farthest I've had a chance to shoot) and the 2 yotes I got with it had no exit wounds and both didn't move an inch, both taken at less than 100M.
 
Your deer load can do double duty for coyotes and the occasional groundhog....for an all-around load, consider the Barnes 85 grain TSX bullet atop a charge of between 41 and 44 grains of IMR4350 (start with the lesser charge and work up in half grain increments....) Other good powders are H4350, RL-19, and IMR4831.....Another good bullet choice is the Hornady 95 grain SST bullet....

Good luck in your load search....
 
A good 85 grain bullet and 760 has worked for me as well. Currently Sierras HPBT but I only use them for groundhogs.
For the other stuff that's easy, it's my ....
257 Roberts
 
i have have a smokin load for my 243 with 58gr vmax bullets and IMR 4350 powder. The load came out of the Lyman manual, start is 45gr. Groups very well in both of my 243 rifles. FS
 
The .243 is one of my favorites... If you don't mind rezeroing and want to go the two load route....Varmints, H-414 or W-760 with 70gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip....Whitetail, IMR 4831 and the 100gr Partition.

Another route to consider and the best as far as I have found....The all around for everything and I mean have killed everything with load H-414 or W-760 and the Speer or Sierra 85gr boat tail. Loaded up around 3300fps. In my rigs this combination is very accurate, very flat and hits very hard.
 
Lastgun said:
The .243 is one of my favorites... If you don't mind rezeroing and want to go the two load route....Varmints, H-414 or W-760 with 70gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip....Whitetail, IMR 4831 and the 100gr Partition.

Another route to consider and the best as far as I have found....The all around for everything and I mean have killed everything with load H-414 or W-760 and the Speer or Sierra 85gr boat tail. Loaded up around 3300fps. In my rigs this combination is very accurate, very flat and hits very hard.
Click to expand...

I like the sounds of that Sierra 85gr load!
 
First off, whats your stock twist rate, that will limit your bullet sizes. 1-8 or 1-9" will go up to 107grn, ive got a 1-10 and its good up to 90 grn, i have used sierra match kings at 70 grn, game king at 70, and sierra game king at 85 grn with good results, just load up, back the bullet off the lands .020" and load up with varget, h4895 or 4350 for the heavy stuff 90+ grn get some retumbo.
 
Alleycat said:
I like the sounds of that Sierra 85gr load!
Click to expand...

I prefer the Speer 85gr boat tail spire point as she is a little sleeker with a BC of .404....The Sierra is a great bullet but with the hollow point it is not as efficient at the longer ranges.
3300fps is a book load according to Hodgdon and my Pact chronograph backs it up...With a 23 inch one in ten twist Gaillard barrel.
 
Lead Loader said:
First off, whats your stock twist rate, that will limit your bullet sizes. 1-8 or 1-9" will go up to 107grn, ive got a 1-10 and its good up to 90 grn, i have used sierra match kings at 70 grn, game king at 70, and sierra game king at 85 grn with good results, just load up, back the bullet off the lands .020" and load up with varget, h4895 or 4350 for the heavy stuff 90+ grn get some retumbo.
Click to expand...

It's suppose to be a 1-9.25 twist. I'm finding out, like everyone, I'm limited by what the dealers have in stock. I'm going to check Stittsville Range and Hingginson this week. I can drive to these places so no shipping required.

Thanks for the info guys. Nothings beats advice from those who have actually been there...
 
The thing I have done with the .243 is find a load that works for deer, then I know that it will work on everything else. Some guys load just for varmint, and use a very thin jacketed bullet. But then, as other have said, when you do this, you have to zero again. Look for a heavier bullet, get it to shoot straight, then keep the load that works best. Im using a Hornady 87gr BTHP. It took me a lot of farting around to get the load I wanted, but now I have it :)
 
im using , lapua or hornady brass , primer cc1 #200 or br 2 , and v-mag 87gr with 36.5gr of varget or the berger bt 90gr with 36.5g of imr 4064 , they do sometime under .5 at 100yards , i stay far of the smaller bullet because the barrel will wear faster , i have à 1:9 twist im my ruger mark 2 target
 
As much as I wanted to take the advice of many and go with a 80gr to 90gr deer/varmint combo load I ended up with a box of 58gr V-mav and some n-140.
Basicly It was what was in staock and I'm anxious to get started. I now find out i could have got a hold of some H414 as well. This should keep me going until more stock arrives. Anyone have experience with this combo? I'll be using Federel brass.

Is there a big difference in performance between different primers? I ended up with CCI 200 basicly because that's what was in stock.
Thanks for the help and believe me when I say I've taken note of all of it.
 
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