Help with a 243 load for an old Remington 700

[TMJ]

HI All,

First time post. I've been a small bore shooter most of my life and wanted to load a non-lead round for my Wife's 243 with Barnes 80 grain TTSX BT and I'm looking for some pointers. The rifle is an older BDL with a 9 1/8 twist on a 22 inch barrel. I know this isn't a popular rifle to shoot, but thought it was .243/6.0 caliber you guys would most likely have some great feedback and advice.

What have you guys been using for powder, primers (and if applicable, non-lead bullets) for this setup?

Thanks all and appreciate any feedback or advice,

TMJ

 

[Riesel]

Welcome to this Forum. Make it easy on yourself. Google Barnes Bullet reloading data and you will find that which you seek.

Also, nothing wrong with an "old Remington 700"

 

[jds holler]

I can't say about your Barnes Bullets, but for my 243, I mostly use IMR 4895 for everything 85 Gr. and under. A lot of guys say it's a little too fast, but my rifle always liked it. jd

 

[TMJ]

Thank you Riesel, I did pull up the Barnes load data for the 243, but it was speaking to a 24" Bartlean barrel with a 1:10 twist, but it's a little different than what I'm working with and I was curious if someone here had worked up something for this very factory rifle.

 

[Homerange]

Thank you Riesel, I did pull up the Barnes load data for the 243, but it was speaking to a 24" Bartlean barrel with a 1:10 twist, but it's a little different than what I'm working with and I was curious if someone here had worked up something for this very factory rifle.

Er well yeah, your 1:8 twist is better suited to stabilize these longer homogeneous projectiles anyway.
If I was you I'd use the Barnes data but possibly go to a slightly faster powder if you want to try and mimic or attempt to get close to their velocities.
Play safe and watch for pressure signs.

BTW, what powders do you have on hand for this job ?

 

[TMJ]

I haven't bought any particular powder yet. I was thinking of H4350 and/or Ramshot or RL 17. The last two are preferred for the 1/10 inch twists vs. the 9 1/8.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

I haven't bought any particular powder yet. I was thinking of H4350 and/or Ramshot or RL 17. The last two are preferred for the 1/10 inch twists vs. the 9 1/8.

If I was putting together a load with that bullet I would definitely look towards IMR 4350 or H4350. When it comes to Barnes Bullets I have had my best luck seating them where the case mouth just covers the very last ring on the bullet. In my experience, anytime I loaded the bullets closer to the lands and exposed any of the Rings on the bottom of the bullet, the group's opened up and started to get horrible. Of course your experience may differ than mine.

 

[Riesel]

Thank you Riesel, I did pull up the Barnes load data for the 243, but it was speaking to a 24" Bartlean barrel with a 1:10 twist, but it's a little different than what I'm working with and I was curious if someone here had worked up something for this very factory rifle.

Duly Noted

 

[ranger3]

I'd look at IMR 4064. 210 M PRIMERS. I have a load with 87 VMAX THAT has worked well in a couple of rifles.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Dont let the twist rate dictate what load you want to use- put that out of your mind. Find a powder suitable to your bullet and load it up. As long as the twist will stabilize it i should say (which yours will)

 

[thatguyshm]

I just built my first 243 and am using RL16 exclusively in this barrel. I want to see how these new powders treat stainless barrels. I'm getting 3334fps with 70gr and 3033 with 87-90gr.

Temps taken with fresh barrel in sub 20 degree weather. Accuracy is great, really good powder.

 

[riflewoman]

I have the same issue and I was going to load with RL 17, 4350, and RL 19.

 

[Three44s]

An “old” Rem 700 is nothing to sneeze at, not in this forum, not in any forum.

A grand rifle in any crowd.

Three44s

 

[mmcu]

RL-17 with the 80 grain Barnes TTSX has worked very well for me in 2 of my 243's.

Check out the Barnes load data on their website.

 

[Eric Leonard]

I'd look at IMR 4064. 210 M PRIMERS. I have a load with 87 VMAX THAT has worked well in a couple of rifles.

4064 is awesome powder for 70-85 grn 243 and 6Rem loads

 

[argrendel]

Don’t forget Varget. Works well with both my 243 and 6br.

 

[Jagermeister]

HI All,

First time post. I've been a small bore shooter most of my life and wanted to load a non-lead round for my Wife's 243 with Barnes 80 grain TTSX BT and I'm looking for some pointers. The rifle is an older BDL with a 9 1/8 twist on a 22 inch barrel. I know this isn't a popular rifle to shoot, but thought it was .243/6.0 caliber you guys would most likely have some great feedback and advice.

What have you guys been using for powder, primers (and if applicable, non-lead bullets) for this setup?

Thanks all and appreciate any feedback or advice,

TMJ

For years I loaded 42.5 grs. of IMR 4350 with an Sierra 85gr. BTHP. Super accurate.

 

[Zero333]

H-4831sc

Start at 44.5 and work up to 47.5, Probably find good accuracy around 46-47 gr.

 

[normmatzen]

I shot long range bench rest with a 243 for a couple years and ended up using H1000 to increases bore life. I used 46gr H1000 behind 107gr SMK in an 8 twist barrel and got ~2900 fps. And, yes, it was a slightly compressed load. Before that I used H4350. If I was doing it today I would use RL-16.
By the way, Barnes recommends long jumps! I use 140 TTSX in my 7X57 which shot lights out with 162gr A-MAX but had too much meat damage. Went to TTSX 140 gr and had lousy accuracy. Found out about Barnes recommendation and seated down to nearly min COL and now they out shoot the A-MAX!
I load to the front bullet ring just in the case. I also now use RL-16 in the 7X57.

 

[stacy]

NOTHING LIKE H-414 WITH 85GR (1530) SIERRA'S IN THE 243 FOR ME