.243 winchester varmint bullets

[milboltnut]

Hi,
I'm new to the board and would like to thank you
for the oppritunity to post question and answers.

I started colleting WW2 and earlier military bolt action rifles,
thank to my father in-law, who started me on a M-1 Garand,
from there,.. it's been a real joy. Especially Handloading, which
He.. my father in-law, said I will have to do eventually, and
he was right.

Anyhoo.... going back to the topic at hand.

Recently I bought a .243 winchester custom built varminter
with a 1909 Argentine action, a extra heavy bull barrel,
timney trigger, custom stock, burris bi-pod, tasco 3x9-40 scope,
for $550, which by the way was a S-T-E-A-L, awesom rifle.
I know I need a better scope, any suggestions?



My question is what varmint bullet is the one to use for long
range, say 300-1000 yards? And does very slow buring powder
work better or just hotter loads?

Milboltnut

 

[Bobs243Ackley]

Hello,

You would most likely want to work with a bullet weight around 85-87 grains. You could use some of the heavier bullets, but most of them are designed for big game work and would not expand reliably for varmint work, in my opinion. For powder, the .243 Winchester will do well with powders like H-4350, H-414, RL19, N150, N550, or any other similar burn rate powder. I hope this information will help you in getting this rifle up and running.

Cordially,
Bob Blaine

 

[milboltnut]

Hey, thanks Bob... Aren't you an editor of a Gun magazine?

I have N150, I give a whirl with 85 grain Sierras? Although
it calls for 87 grain? I don't have any data for 85 grain bullets for VV. Do you?

 

[Bobs243Ackley]

I just checked int the VihtaVuori manual and they are showing the following data. It is for the 87gr. Hornady bullet, but if you start at the beginning charge and work up, you should be ok. The starting charge is 33.7 grs. @ 2,757 fps., and the maximum charge is 37.9 grs. @ 2,947 fps. I would imagine that some of the others may have some data that you could use for your .243 Winchester as well. As for your last question, I do not work for any magazines. However, I do work at Sinclair International as one of the Sales Representatives on the sales staff.

Cordially,
Bob Blaine

 

[milboltnut]

Bob,
Now I remember. Sinclair. While I have you, thanks for the VV info I'll go for it... it's only 2 grains and I ALWAYS start
from start laods,... did you guys come out with your newest
advanced handloading techniques yet?

 

[Bobs243Ackley]

I'm glad to be able to help you with the N150 data. The BK11 is still not ready. The latest information is that it will most likely not be ready until the end of this year.

Cordially,
Bob Blaine

 

[milboltnut]

Bob,
I was reading in a American Rifleman Magazine about
Sinclairs advanced reloading techniques that sold out but
will be out soon? Is it the same as BK11?

 

[Savage99]

We need to know the rifiling twist rate to suggest bullets suitable for very long range. Most 243's were twisted 1-10 and a long spitzer bullet may be your best choice but first measure it as it limits how long a bullet that you can shoot.

Pull a cleaning rod marked with a ink pen thru using a good fitting brush or patch and just measure one revolution.

As to the best load you will have to find that but with the long bullets in that cartridge maximum velocity is with the slower burning powders. The most useful powder in the 243 is 4350 but tell us what powder you have as others will work well also.

As to the scope I would try the one you have right now but more magnification is really wanted. A friend uses Simmons scopes with good results on the low price side. Many use Leupold target scopes. I don't shoot formal benchrest competiton so I use the Lyman and Unertl scopes that I have.

 

[Bobs243Ackley]

The Sinclair Precision Reloading & Shooting Handbook, and BK11, are one in the same. There is a lot of updating being done to keep it current with the latest information and technology that is being used today.

Cordially,
Bob Blaine