First firing of my new .243 Win (targets)

[K22]

You say that after looking at his targets? Gotta be a better powder.

I've been shooting and loading the 243 since the late 60's. I've always had very good success with IMR 4064 especially with bullet under 90 grains. In fact it's the accuracy powder listed in the 4th Edition of the Sierra Reloading Manual for 80 and 85 grain bullets.

I've never be able to obtain good groups (under 1 MOA) with Hornady 75 or 87 Grain VMax bullets. With Sierra 80 grain Blitz, 85 BTHP's and Nosler 80 BT these bullet shot well under 1 moa with IMR 4064 out all the factory 243 rifles I've ever owned (Winchester, Remington, Browning, and Tikka.)

If the poster isn't getting good results with this powder it might be the bullet choice or some other factor related to the shooter, rifle or scope. Of course nothing is absolute when it comes to rifles and reloading. I'm just saying that it always worked for me no matter which brand of rifle I was using when I was using the aforementioned bullets.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

I've been shooting and loading the 243 since the late 60's. I've always had very good success with IMR 4064 especially with bullet under 90 grains. In fact it's the accuracy powder listed in the 4th Edition of the Sierra Reloading Manual for 80 and 85 grain bullets.

I've never be able to obtain good groups (under 1 MOA) with Hornady 75 or 87 Grain VMax bullets. With Sierra 80 grain Blitz, 85 BTHP's and Nosler 80 BT these bullet shot well under 1 moa with IMR 4064 out all the factory 243 rifles I've ever owned (Winchester, Remington, Browning, and Tikka.)

If the poster isn't getting good results with this powder it might be the bullet choice or some other factor related to the shooter, rifle or scope. Of course nothing is absolute when it comes to rifles and reloading. I'm just saying that it always worked for me no matter which brand of rifle I was using when I was using the aforementioned bullets.

I'm finding its really hard to locate those bullets you listed. They are even backordered from Sierra, must be a really popular bullet choice. I tried the Sierra 100gr spritzer but did not take time to work up lengths to lands. They shot ok but the 75gr and 87gr did a lot better. I have tried some different powders since and things only got worse. I tried Varget and IMR3031 since I already have them. Neither shot worth a damn in my opinion as compared to the IMR4064. I'm going to spend more time with that powder and work the loads up a little at a time working with the lengths a little more. Have had a few recommend trying some Reloader 19 some swear by it, picked up a pound to try,.... fun to find out!

 

[K22]

I'm finding its really hard to locate those bullets you listed. They are even backordered from Sierra, must be a really popular bullet choice. I tried the Sierra 100gr spritzer but did not take time to work up lengths to lands. They shot ok but the 75gr and 87gr did a lot better. I have tried some different powders since and things only got worse. I tried Varget and IMR3031 since I already have them. Neither shot worth a damn in my opinion as compared to the IMR4064. I'm going to spend more time with that powder and work the loads up a little at a time working with the lengths a little more. Have had a few recommend trying some Reloader 19 some swear by it, picked up a pound to try,.... fun to find out!

- Try Midway or Sinclair for bullet sources.
- I've never used Reloader 19 but I too have heard very good reports especially with heavier bullets.
- In general, IMR 3031 is too fast for the 243.
- Varget is very similar to IMR 4064 in burn rate and performance. With my 243's they are pretty much interchangable so I'm surprised Varget didn't work for you. I've even used with 100 grain Sierra Pro Hunter bullet and it shot well under an inch, just stay within the recommended charge limits but IMR 4350 is a better choice for bullets over 85 grains.
- If you can get them, the Sierra 85 grain BTHP is an excellent bullet with IMR 4064, Varget, or IMR 4350. I seat my about .010" off the lands. This bullet has work exceptional well with all my 243's and is a good all around general purpose bullet for the 243.
- Another excellent bullet is the 80 Nosler BT for varmints and predators; the 90 and 95 grain Nosler BT for deer size game.

I've found that the 243 is one the easiest cartridges to reload if you stay with well established powder / bullet combos. If none of these work then perhaps something else is going on with the rifle / scope / stock bedding, etc.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

The last couple boxes of 87vmaxe I looked at were complete turds in the length department, they made 105gr custom comps look consistant. I had a friend with a brand new custom varmint rifle go crazy trying to get them to shoot, told him to try som 87vlds and what do you know...fireforming loads shoots 1 ragged hole groups.

 

[jimmymac]

I have better results with powders slower than 4064 in the couple 243's I have. I've had good success with Federal 210 primers, 40.4 grains of IMR 4350 and 95 grain SST's out of a bone stock TC Icon . That load is consistent. It is a repeatable sub MOA performer me.

As always, check your Hornady Manual and work up. Just because 40.4 grains is safe in my gun doesn't mean it's safe in yours.

Good luck.

 

[Texas10]

My 243 Savage model 11 had a sporter weight barrel and heated quickly, the first two shots using 87 V-Max and RL 19 or IMR 4320 would be right on POA and within 1/2 moa, then progressively walk out to 2 or 3 moa as the barrel heated. I always number my targets with the sequence of impacts and the numbers told the tale. Since it was a hunting rifle, the first two shots were the most important anyway.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

The last couple boxes of 87vmaxe I looked at were complete turds in the length department, they made 105gr custom comps look consistant. I had a friend with a brand new custom varmint rifle go crazy trying to get them to shoot, told him to try som 87vlds and what do you know...fireforming loads shoots 1 ragged hole groups.

The first boxes of the Hornady V-max's I bought loaded really consistently for length with my micrometer seating die. I purchased another box of the same bullet and I'm fighting every 4th or 5th round with length issues, either seating too deep or not deep enough. Currently looking for some 85gr Sierra's to try, oh and some decent weather to try them....

 

[stacy]

WHEN YOU GET THE 85GR SIERRAS GET YOU H-414 44GRS IN MY RIFLE AND 210M PRIMERS AND IF THAT COMBO DONT WORK YOU GOT A BAD 243 4 SURE!!!!!! VERY FEW THAT THIS COMBO DONT WORK VERY WELL