RL 17 and 243 Data sought

[EFR]

I am working up loads for my daughter and I for an antelope hunt this fall. Can anyone share a starting load or favorite load for a 243 Win with RL17 and Nosler 95gr Ballistic tips (me) or 85gr Barnes TSX (her).

I've had good luck with H4350 and the Nosler, but I'd like to try the RL17.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Erik

 

[Larryh128]

Whatever load that you're using with the 4350, you can start there with RL-17 & more than likely go up a grain or more. 85 gr Barnes are devastating on deer size critters. I love the BT's but the Barnes TSX & TTSX perform better.

 

[EFR]

I made it to the range the other day. I loaded up 9 rounds of 95gr CT ballistic silvertip over RL-17. 42 gr, 42.4gr, and 42.8 gr.

A max load H4350 (42gr) under the same bullet yielded app 3025fps, a spread of app 40fps. Accuracy is almost always two shots touching and one shot 1/2"-3/4" away (no idea why, don't think its me, but...)

42gr of RL-17 was app 3055fps, SD in the low teens, and app 3/4".

42.4gr of RL-17 was app 3100fps, SD in the 30's, and app 3/4".

42.8gr of RL-17 was app 3080fps (yes, less than 42.4gr), SD of almost 100 fps, and a 1 3/4" group.

Tonight I am going to spin up some more RL-17 at 42.4, 42.3 and 42.2.

 

[expiper]

I use 42 in mine with great results with 95's....--now try jammin and then jump in .010" increments all the way out to .060",,,Roger