Replacement for Hornady 75gr HP 243

[Lefin102]

Hey Everyone,

What do you recommend to replace the 75gr HP 243 Hornady discontinued??

I just started shooting a old Remington 700 BDL HB with 1-10 twist. I’ve had it for over 30 years and now decided to try it out.

So I bought some S&B 100gr soft points for starting and having some brass. I found a box of Hornady 75gr HP’s with 20 rds in it. Also bought Hornady 75gr Vmax which are polymer tip BT.

Shooting at the pit @75 yards I got 1 1/2” with the 100gr , 1” with the Vmax & under a dime size with the 75gr HP. The pit is limited for range and I thought the group might have been a freak so I got a membership to a range with 50, 100 & 150 yard distance.

Guess what! @ 100 yards with the S&B 100gr I got 2” , with the 75gr Vmax 1” & the 75gr HP 10 rds in a hole about dime size. Not a freak!

The load I used for the 75gr Vmax & HP was 36 & 36.5 gr’s of Varget , std CCI LR primers, 10 of each. This was a starting point. If I can get more Hornady 75gr HP my search is over. I had no idea this would shoot this good or I was able to do it.

Do you think the additional purchase without the BT on the rifling is what caused the better group?

Thanks for any help or suggestions, Frank

 

[Gary in MD]

That Hornady 75 grain hp was always an accurate and explosive varmint bullet. I would think that you should be able to get the Vmax shooting as good by adjusting the oal a little. You could also try the Sierra 75 grain hp.
I can check for you, I probably have a couple hundred of those 75 grain Hornady HPs if just want to stay with them.
Gary

 

[Lefin102]

Hi Gary,

Awesome I'll take what you want to get rid of. Still need a replacement. Sierra or whatever has better performance is what I'm looking for.

Thx,
Frank

 

[1lnbrdg]

70gr Speer TNT. Yes, it's a flat-base but I've yet to find a barrel those didn't shoot great in.

 

[dakor]

The 80gr Berger HP varmint would be a good one it shoots very well and performs close to the 75 Hornady. Or the 75 Sierra HP is another.

 

[K22]

70 Nosler BT with either IMR 4064 or H4895 if you want a bullet weight in that range. Very accurate, flat shooting and is hell on varmints.

Also the Sierra 80 Blitz is outstanding with IMR 4064 or IMR 4350 especially at longer ranges.

Best results I ever got in m 243's is with the Sierra 85 BTHP with either IMR 4064 or IMR 4350. Shoots like a match bullet and has excellent terminal performance. Can be use as an all purpose bullet for varmints, predators and deer.

 

[MrMajestic]

I will add the the Sierra 70 gr. Blitzking to the Sierra 80 gr. Blitz and 80 and 88 gr. Bergers. All have been extremely accurate in my 6's...

 

[Lefin102]

Thanks everyone it is greatly appreciated!! I’ll work with this and let you know how things go. Frank

 

[Mark W]

I would never give up on any 1:10 twist 243 without trying Speer 70 TNT and Sierra 85 HPBT.

 

[Zero333]

As others mentioned and couple others...

Speer 70 gr TNT

Nosler 70 gr Ballistic tip

Sierra 75 gr Varminter

Berger 80 & 88 gr FB Varmint

Sierra 85 gr BTHP Gameking


But as a direct replacement, I would try the Sierra 75 gr.

 

[WyleWD]

70 Nosler BT with either IMR 4064 or H4895 if you want a bullet weight in that range. Very accurate, flat shooting and is hell on varmints.

Also the Sierra 80 Blitz is outstanding with IMR 4064 or IMR 4350 especially at longer ranges.

Best results I ever got in m 243's is with the Sierra 85 BTHP with either IMR 4064 or IMR 4350. Shoots like a match bullet and has excellent terminal performance. Can be use as an all purpose bullet for varmints, predators and deer.

^^^^ This is excellent information.

To replace the 75 HP, maybe the 75 Vmax or the 80gr Blitz.

I LOVE a 10tw 243 for varmints, predators, hogs, and deer.. Two things that I've noticed with them over and over. Varget is ok, but hit or miss, and 95gr and heavier bullets are hit or miss. Add WW760 to the above poster's list would be all I'd have to add. JME. WD

 

[nmkid]

87 gr. Hornady or Sierra.

 

[Steve morgan]

Hey Everyone,

What do you recommend to replace the 75gr HP 243 Hornady discontinued??

I just started shooting a old Remington 700 BDL HB with 1-10 twist. I’ve had it for over 30 years and now decided to try it out.

So I bought some S&B 100gr soft points for starting and having some brass. I found a box of Hornady 75gr HP’s with 20 rds in it. Also bought Hornady 75gr Vmax which are polymer tip BT.

Shooting at the pit @75 yards I got 1 1/2” with the 100gr , 1” with the Vmax & under a dime size with the 75gr HP. The pit is limited for range and I thought the group might have been a freak so I got a membership to a range with 50, 100 & 150 yard distance.

Guess what! @ 100 yards with the S&B 100gr I got 2” , with the 75gr Vmax 1” & the 75gr HP 10 rds in a hole about dime size. Not a freak!

The load I used for the 75gr Vmax & HP was 36 & 36.5 gr’s of Varget , std CCI LR primers, 10 of each. This was a starting point. If I can get more Hornady 75gr HP my search is over. I had no idea this would shoot this good or I was able to do it.

Do you think the additional purchase without the BT on the rifling is what caused the better group?

Thanks for any help or suggestions, Frank

Sierra has a6mm 75 gr HP that has worked well for me.

 

[Lefin102]

Everyone,

I loaded Hornady 87gr, 75gr, 65gr, gr & 58gr Vmax for starting. 20 each. I'm ordering the 75gr Sierra & Speer. It might be a week or two before I get to shoot again. I'll keep you informed.

Happy Easter!

Thx for you reply's.

 

[2ndtimer]

As others mentioned and couple others...

Speer 70 gr TNT

Nosler 70 gr Ballistic tip

Sierra 75 gr Varminter

Berger 80 & 88 gr FB Varmint

Sierra 85 gr BTHP Gameking


But as a direct replacement, I would try the Sierra 75 gr.

I also would suggest trying the Nosler 70 gr Varmageddon. It is flat based, like the Hornady 75 gr HP, and in my experience shoots similarly to the Speer 70 gr TNT, in other words very well. Particularly with a near maximum charge of Ramshot Big Game.

 

[Lefin102]

2ndtimer, I picked up Nosler 70gr Varmint Ballistic Tip @ BassPro but they are boat tail and I didn’t have any brass to load up but plan to. Thx for the info.

 

[Lefin102]

Everyone first thx to Bob Fromm & Gary. I got hooked up with David Brown who supplied some old 75 gr Hornady HP’s. Didn’t help I couldn’t find the sweet spot I started with and read a lot of info about seating & neck tension so more knowledge acquired always a plus.

I did find a load which I wasn’t thinking would be a good choice to be fantastic!! 58gr Vmax with 37gr IMR3031 gave consistent 0.50” MOA holes per 5 shoot group. Total 4 groups in the target.

I did try the 70gr Noslers which were ok and still plenty of room to work with.

Also I scoped the barrel and found 2mm of erosion from use before me so might not have been the deal I hoped it was 35 years ago. Easy fix I ordered a new Hart replacement.

As always thx for your help still other loads to try!