Cheap guy question - Bullets and powder that work for both 6mm and .243 win

[privateer]

I am cheap. I am also starting to reload for my rifles. Mostly bench shooting for now.

Are there bullets that work well for both 6mm and .243 for bench shooting? Please let me know what you guys recommend.

I was planning to use Varget to start with. Is there a better recommendation for use with both calibers?

As background, I will also plan to eventually reload .223 and 308.

 

[eggman]

Just off the top of my head for benchrest shooting bullets on the cheap you might give the Speer TNT bullets a try. They are a varmint bullet by design but I know some guy's that shoot the 30 cal. regularly in 30 BR's and the 6mm TNT's should shoot decent for short range BR. Varget should be a good powder for both caliber's as well as H-4895.

Rodney

 

[privateer]

Thanks. What weight bullets?

 

[eggman]

All that Speer offers in a 6mm bullet in the TNT line is a 70 gr. bullet but this is very close to the 66 gr. or 68 gr. that is what is mostly used in short range benchrest. You didn't mention what twist rate your barrel was but the 70 gr. should work. You can buy the TNT's in bulk from Speer for a discount after you find that they will shoot for you .

Rodney

 

[GSPV]

The 68gr Berger flat base has shot very well for me.

 

[Ackman]

Winchester 760 is real good in .243/243AI/6mmAI/257AI. Also the 22-250. It works well in that size case. I'm not shooting 6mm bullets heavier than 70gr.

 

[cliffy]

Speer TNT 70 grain bullets are very accurate with H4350 Powder in .243 fare. I consider these a great starter downrange. While NOT good deer-fare, they are excellent coyote loads. To create a great deer loads, work your reloading magic with 90 grain Swift Scirocco II bullets. These are real deer-takers! 44.0 grains of Hodgdon H4350 can hustle these Swifts to deer-smashing velocities. cliffy

 

[cliffy]

One of my latest experiments regards 85 grain Barnes Lead-Less TSX bullets: 45 grains of Hodgdon H414 is my starting and stopping point with a muzzle velocity of 3330 fps. It's a wowser to 250 yards. A Swift Scirocco II 90 grainer has superior ballistics to 350 yards. Cliffy

 

[15Tango]

If you're stick with the 70 grain area your fast to mid-range powders like Varget and Reloder 15 should work well and they both work great in .223 Rem. and .308 Win alike.

 

[cliffy]

Much as I like Alliant RL-15 propellant, I find it too-slow-burning for most .223 Remington applications below 65 grains of bullet weight. RL-15 is just right or too-fast-burning for some .243 Winchester loads. Experimentation is the key here, and experimenting takes time and dedication and a good chronograph. My best 70 grain .243 loads involve Hodgdon H414 and H4350, while RL-15 is the true sizzler with Barnes 62 grain Varmint Grenades. I become confused at times regarding burn rate and bullet design and weight, so I keep records of outings at the range, because while hunting is no time to figure-out what's best for the proper application. I never venture afield with less than three selected loads. Taking a chronograph on a hunt, is too little: too late, Cliffy

 

[cliffy]

When you find the "perfect" load, cherish it! Only through handloading can "perfection" be attained. Occasionally, factory-loads can accel, but seldom to the degree as honest handloads developed through sweat and tears. Cliffy

 

[okbob51]

From one cheapskate to another.....my .223 likes Varget or RL-15 and Hornady's 60 grain V-Max. While these aren' t the cheapest components if you watch prices/sales and only buy at the right time in large quanities you can shoot the good stuff pretty cheap. From time to time Cabela's puts all their bullets on sale....they also have coupons for 20% off and free shipping to one of their stores. Buying cheap is as much a hobby as reloading and shooting...it's all good.