1/10 243 Reloading

[DLH_]

I'm sure there are several threads and I have searched. Non are specific to my needs. I have purchased a lovely full custom .243. Sadly it's fitted with a 1/10 twist. I've begun my loading with the 87gr V-Max and IMR4350. I'm looking at a 100-400 yard target load, a long range load (95gr Berger?) and a varmint load. The 87 V-Max will more than likely be the varmint. Is there any specific powder or bullet that is renowned for spectacular performance? N133 and 68gr Barts in PPC for example. Specs are Borden action, 26in Kriger, HVR trigger, McMillan Sako hunter.

 

[hunter243sgk]

With the 87g v-max i use hybrid-100, h414, and imr4350. I have had good luck with all three. Also try rl19.

 

[mikeinct]

My first 1-10 twist 243W loved the 87Vmax & 88 grain Berger Flat base..I used IMR4064 a pretty Hot Load in that old barrel ...that powder & load Cooked the barrel but shot really well..I now run H4350 w 105's 9 & 8 twist barrels...Good luck, mike in Ct

 

[K22]

Try the 90 grain Nosler BT with IMR 4350. Good ballistic coeff and very accurate in my 10" twist 243's.

 

[Zero333]

100 sierra gameking btsp and H-4831 / H-4831 sc

 

[DLH_]

I have the 100gr gamekings in stock, I didn't think they'd stabilise in a 10 twist?

 

[WyleWD]

I'm sure there are several threads and I have searched. Non are specific to my needs. I have purchased a lovely full custom .243. Sadly it's fitted with a 1/10 twist. I've begun my loading with the 87gr V-Max and IMR4350. I'm looking at a 100-400 yard target load, a long range load (95gr Berger?) and a varmint load. The 87 V-Max will more than likely be the varmint. Is there any specific powder or bullet that is renowned for spectacular performance? N133 and 68gr Barts in PPC for example. Specs are Borden action, 26in Kriger, HVR trigger, McMillan Sako hunter.

If you're looking for 100-400yd loads and can get those 87gr Vmaxs to shoot well you're fine right there. They have a very good BC and very good terminal performance. I've used a 10 twist 243 for 40 years of hunting and never felt disadvantaged with it for varmint, predator, or deer hunting. I also have a 10twist 6xc and am just as happy with it too for a varmint, predator rifle. Most of my shots are under 400yds and the 75gr vmax serves me just fine.

As far as the holy grail of bullet powder combination for the 243, there are about as many as there are hunters. The 243 is an accurate cuss and there are a host of powder/ bullet/ primer combinations that will work fine in one rifle or another. The only powder that I've ever tried that I could NOT get consistent performance with was Varget. Others swear by it, and I'm happy they do. One of the 4350's, ww760, R-17, n550, and 4064 all have worked well for me. The Sierra 80gr blitz, and 85gr HPBT bullets are almost always solid performers in the 10twist 243's as well. There'll always be a 10 twist 243 in my gunsafe and rounds loaded for it. WD

 

[boltgunluvr]

I have the 100gr gamekings in stock, I didn't think they'd stabilise in a 10 twist?

The 100 gr GK would not stabilize from my 1/10. Neither would the 100 gr Pro Hunter which is generally a nice mellow and forgiving bullet. Even the classic load using the 85 gr GK hpbt with IMR 4064 wouldn't group. BUT the 85 gr SPT flat base with IMR 4064 brought mine to life. Varget was a no go. Hope this helps.

 

[DLH_]

The 100 gr GK would not stabilize from my 1/10. Neither would the 100 gr Pro Hunter which is generally a nice mellow and forgiving bullet. Even the classic load using the 85 gr GK hpbt with IMR 4064 wouldn't group. BUT the 85 gr SPT flat base with IMR 4064 brought mine to life. Varget was a no go. Hope this helps.

Thank you. According to the Berger twist rate calculator, the Pro Hunters should, emphasise on should, stabilise. If you don't mind me asking, who manufactured the barrel? I'm shooting a Bartlein barrel.

 

[expiper]

The 100 gr GK would not stabilize from my 1/10. Neither would the 100 gr Pro Hunter which is generally a nice mellow and forgiving bullet. Even the classic load using the 85 gr GK hpbt with IMR 4064 wouldn't group. BUT the 85 gr SPT flat base with IMR 4064 brought mine to life. Varget was a no go. Hope this helps.

my first .243 back in the 60's was a Winchester M 70 with a 1/10 bbl...(and several since) would shoot the Sierra 100 gr SBT and the 85 Sierra HPBT wonderfully ,,,there were no Berger/Lapua/etc bullets available and the Sierra in the "green box" were to way to go,,,,if you have a 243 tht will NOT shoot these two bullets I think you need to look at your load data and loading methods,,,,Roger

 

[boltgunluvr]

Thank you. According to the Berger twist rate calculator, the Pro Hunters should, emphasise on should, stabilise. If you don't mind me asking, who manufactured the barrel? I'm shooting a Bartlein barrel.

It was a Winchester Model 70. Loved the gun. Such a smooth action. Like butter! Should've kept it. It was great with those 85 gr SPT pills loaded towards the hotter side with IMR 4064. I was surprised. Even the Sierra techs had informed me "they should stabilize, but a 1 in 9 or the Rem 1 in 9.125 would be better."

Really thought they'd stabilize since the Pro Hunters have nice bearing surface. The 100 gr GK was far worse than the Pro Hunter, for my rifle. It may have been a lemon.

 

[Zero333]

I have the 100gr gamekings in stock, I didn't think they'd stabilise in a 10 twist?

If you have true 10" twist I guarantee the 100gr Sierra btsp (#1560) will stabilize.

 

[jimbo88mm]

I run a 95gr SMKs in a 9.25 twist barrel. IMR 4451 and H1000 both yield good groups. Might work in your 10 twist.

 

[boltgunluvr]

I run a 95gr SMKs in a 9.25 twist barrel. IMR 4451 and H1000 both yield good groups. Might work in your 10 twist.

I tried the 95 SMK for fun too, but that was another no go for that rifle. Tried it for kicks and grins, knowing it's a rather long pill for 95 gr.

However, I use the 95 SMK with H4350 for long distance paper fun from my factory Rem 700 which is 1 in 9.125.

 

[Loggins J]

Try 90 grain bergers they work well in a 6mm Remington with 4350 in a 1 in 10 twist

 

[expiper]

OP....over they years I have found that a 1/10 bbl will not stabalize a bullet that is 1.100" or longer with target accuracy ,,,,,,,no matter what the BC is,,,you might be able to hit a deer but accuracy is out the window if its longer than stated above,,,,Roger

 

[Zero333]

OP....over they years I have found that a 1/10 bbl will not stabalize a bullet that is 1.100" or longer with target accuracy ,,,,,,,no matter what the BC is,,,you might be able to hit a deer but accuracy is out the window if its longer than stated above,,,,Roger

Going from memory, the 100gr Gameking SBT was a hair under 1.100"
1.075"ish. But I could be wrong. And different lots can measure differently.

 

[expiper]

Going from memory, the 100gr Gameking SBT was a hair under 1.100"
1.075"ish. But I could be wrong. And different lots can measure differently.

you have a good memory,,,,,and your mesurement is correct,,,the 100 gr Sierra SBT is perfect with 10 twist ,,,Roger