Looking for a solid starting point

[TJV]

I just got my Rem 700 SPS in .243 Win. I'm going to put on a Bell & Carlson stock and Timney trigger (Calvin Elite). One thing I need a start on is load development.

I am looking for a solid starting point for load development.

Any recipes that are tried and reliable for shooting out to 600 yards? Just looking for a place to start.

Thanks in advance for the info.

 

[watercam]

If you scroll down to the 6mm/.243/6XC etc. section you will find a wealth of experience there. That plus searching the Reloading section will give more of the same. I shot a .243 for all 940 shots the barrel gave me and was very successful on LR matches as long as it lasted.
With a factory barrel I am assuming you have a 10" twist. That will limit you to match bullets in the 95 gr. area. You can check your twist by running a tight patched rod down the barrel and measure the length of one rotation of the rod. If by chance it comes up closer to 8" you can run 105s.
If you do not have a reloading manual, get one. I like the Nosler version as it's real world charges always came out close. www.hodgdonreloading.com is a good resource but is limited.
Remington barrels tend to have long jumps to the barrel lands so VLD type bullets may not be best. 80-95 gr. Sierra Matchkings, Berger non-VLD and Hornady bullets should work. Think about powders in the H4350 or slower range.
Don't put too many shots down range at a time without cooling the barrel a bit to help the life of the barrel.
Have fun!

 

[K22]

I can't comment on shooting at 600 yards but based on shooting this cartridge for almost 50 years now, the go to powder for the 243 with bullets 85 grain and heavier is IMR 4350.

 

[ballisticxlr]

If you have an 8 twist then 115gn DTAC's are inexpensive and awesome and will stabilize just fine down to 2800fps near sea level. Have yet to have a barrel not perform that way with them. I like 42-43gn of RL-23 with 115's. With super light 55gn pills I ran BL-C(2). RL-23 makes for a pretty loud load but returns great velocity with the heavies. I didn't spend much time messing with the intermediate weight bullets.

 

[JFrank]

 

[3Ackleys]

108 Berger cci 250 H4831sc