Howa 1500 .243 Homeload

[Huntertech27]

Hi I’m looking for anyone with experience loading for a Howa in .243..
I have been using federal 80gn soft points for hunting Deer and fox, no problems shoots sub MOA all day every day! 0.3 best group.

However I have recently started shooting out a bit further and have acquired some loading equipment.
I’m looking to narrow down the huge selection and find a good load for longer range target shooting.

Got a much better scope now and a good stock, Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56 and GRS berserk stock, was hoping spending that amount of money I would see some improvements.... not there yet.

Help and advice welcome!!

 

[uncle-buck]

Hi I’m looking for anyone with experience loading for a Howa in .243..
I have been using federal 80gn soft points for hunting Deer and fox, no problems shoots sub MOA all day every day! 0.3 best group.

However I have recently started shooting out a bit further and have acquired some loading equipment.
I’m looking to narrow down the huge selection and find a good load for longer range target shooting.

Got a much better scope now and a good stock, Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56 and GRS berserk stock, was hoping spending that amount of money I would see some improvements.... not there yet.

Help and advice welcome!!

You're not going to get benchrest accuracy from a hunting rifle

 

[Huntertech27]

You're not going to get benchrest accuracy from a hunting rifle

Not really what I asked...... don’t think I mentioned bench rests?

 

[stacy]

I HAD VERY GOOD RESULTS WITH H-414 AND 85 GR BTHP SIERRAS HAVE USED THAT LOAD IN SEVERAL 243 HOWAS WITH GREAT RESULTS OUT TOO 400YDS

 

[JLT]

I'm assuming that you're still running the factory barrel. You have a very good action, outstanding optics and a very good stock, but a substantial improvement in accuracy is unlikely until you get yourself a good custom barrel.

You're getting sub-MOA accuracy as it sits now. If it were me, I'd shoot the heck out of it and take it hunting and when the barrel gives up, get a good custom tube for it. Of course, load development will begin all over again.

Is your barrel a 1:10" twist? If so, you're current bullet weight range is a good choice. The longer, heavier bullets will not stabilize properly in a 1:10" twist. When the time comes for a replacement barrel, consider a 1:8" twist for the 105 grain class bullets if you're serious about stretching your range.

 

[K22]

243 Proven Powders I've used: 85 grain bullets and under: IMR 4064, Varget, IMR 4895; 90 grain bullets and over: IMR 4350.

Best all around load I've used in the 243 is 85 Sierra BTHP with IMR 4064 or Varget. This bullet shoots like a match bullet and is very effective on varmints, predators and small to medium size deer.

 

[Huntertech27]

I'm assuming that you're still running the factory barrel. You have a very good action, outstanding optics and a very good stock, but a substantial improvement in accuracy is unlikely until you get yourself a good custom barrel.

You're getting sub-MOA accuracy as it sits now. If it were me, I'd shoot the heck out of it and take it hunting and when the barrel gives up, get a good custom tube for it. Of course, load development will begin all over again.

Is your barrel a 1:10" twist? If so, you're current bullet weight range is a good choice. The longer, heavier bullets will not stabilize properly in a 1:10" twist. When the time comes for a replacement barrel, consider a 1:8" twist for the 105 grain class bullets if you're serious about stretching your range.

Thanks for that! Yes 1/10 twist Yes still running the factory barrel, and I’m more than happy with the performance with the federal 80gn soft points but I’m paying £30 for 20...

I’m looking to develop a load that will give me similar performance out to about 500 yds.just want to narrow down the options a bit.

Now that I have the loading kit I don’t want to buy any more federal factory amp regardless of how good it is.

Looking at getting a tikka tac a1 in 308 or 6.5 Cree for going further.. but that’s not in the cards for now.

 

[Huntertech27]

243 Proven Powders I've used: 85 grain bullets and under: IMR 4064, Varget, IMR 4895; 90 grain bullets and over: IMR 4350.

Best all around load I've used in the 243 is 85 Sierra BTHP with IMR 4064 or Varget. This bullet shoots like a match bullet and is very effective on varmints, predators and small to medium size deer.

Perfect thanks!! I’ll check this out!

 

[JLT]

H414 has been mentioned and I'll echo that recommendation. Hodgdon H100V is also a good choice for the 85 - 90 grain range.

 

[AckleymanII]

We had good success with the 87g Hornady bTSP with 37.4g-37.6g of IMR 4064, excellent accuracy with fed 210 primer. I shot this load in several rifles.

Winchester 760 and H414 with cci 250 primers are hands down winners, accuracy node is near max pressure.

R#19 with a win primer is going to give you excellent accuracy with top end speed with accuracy, probably near 3300 fps, my last rifle liked 44.5g, but work up to that load in your rifle.

Use tough brass, float your barrel, bed your rifle, you will have a very good shooter.

I like Forster Benchrest dies, and their neck sizer is an excellent shoulder bumper die that saves some full length sizing.

Check this site for loads listed by shooters:

http://centerfirecentral.com/MDB/Ca...iber=243Win&Weight=&Powder=&Submit=Search+Now

Good luck