Factory Ammo For 243

[Dogbone]

Thanks Bill, that makes a lot of sense!!

 

[K22]

If you have a buddy, see if you can get him to load for you. I can give you some outstanding loads for the 243 for varmint hunting if you decide you can go that route.

Actually, I do have someone that has reloaded 45-70 for my Trapdoor. I could ask him and use the empty brass from the different ammo I will be trying. That is if he has the dyes for 243?

And not that your custom load for 243 would not work (I'm more than willing to try it), but based on a number of comments made here, even if you reload, a lot of experimentation is necessary to find the one that works the best in a given gun. I guess it would be another to try along with the factory stuff, but with lots of consistency built in?

Don't mean to minimize your time and effort in developing your 243 load. I'm very appreciative of your offer if you're still willing to share it with me!! ;D

I've been shooting and reloading the 243 for almost 40 years now, it's one of my favorite cartridges. You're correct - there is no "silver bullet reload" that will work perfectly in every rifle but I've learned a few general prinicples when loading the 243 that may save you some time in finding a good load. I'll limit my comments to varmint applications since that seems to be your primary interest.

The two powders that have worked the best for me are IMR 4064 and IMR 4350. The former with the lighter bullet weights and latter with heavier bullet although I've shot some very tight groups with 4350 using 80 grain bullets.

For a 10" twist, I've found that the Sierra 80 grain blitz bullet is outstanding for varmint hunting. The heavier varmint bullets (.i.e 80 to 87) always seemed to do better in my three 243's. The Nosler 80 grain is also outstanding.

Seating depth also significantly affected the accuracy in my three guns. For hunting reloads, I'd start at .020" off the lands and move back from there however I like to have a minumum of one bullet diameter seated in the case - again for hunting reloads.

I shot a ton of groundhogs with the 243 in the "old days" when I lived in southern western Pa were long shots were the rule. In fact, the 243 was my first rifle. It's an outstanding long range varmint cartridge, great in the wind and an adequate deer rifle with the proper bullets and shot placement. These days, living in eastern PA, while I still shoot a lot of 243 at the range, my go to ghog guns are all 223's since I rarely get a shot over 250 yards and I like to make the least noise as possible due to the more setteled areas here.

There's some really good factory ammo being made these days since they are using preimer bullets like Nosler BT's, Hornaday V-Max, and Sierra Blitz Kings. Look for these kind of bullets in the factory ammo offerings to enhance your chances of finding something that works well if you decide to stay with factory ammo.

Good luck

 

[doc gordon]

if you are going to try 95gr try federal fusion.also inexpensive,shoots very good!

 

[Dogbone]

Thank you gentlemen!!

K22. Appreciate very much you sharing your reloading knowledge and expertise with me!!! When I get enough used brass for a couple of boxes I will provide your reloading data to my friend to see if he would be interested in loading up some up for me.

 

[Yotecallr]

Read the review for this ammo. It shoots way under an inch in my Tiika rifle.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/587928/federal-power-shok-ammunition-243-winchester-80-grain-speer-hot-cor-soft-point-box-of-20

 

[doc gordon]

when u find the load u want,put all data hear for th next .243 man !