Site Needs .243/.243AI Loads & Comments

[nmkid]

I will be shooting my new 243AI in 2-3 months. As I have 2 rifles to handle the 100-115 gr bullets my gunsmith will be using a 1:10 twist as I wish to shoot 70-85 gr. bullets. I have somehow accumulated several boxes of 75 gr Vmax bullets. So, any loads out there for reference? Thanks

 

[agr516]

My .243 AI load is Lapua brass, Berger 105 Hybrid, 49.5gr Retumbo, Federal 210M primer. 3,160fps from a 28" 8" twist Krieger. I could push harder for more velocity but do not feel the need.

 

[Bill Norris]

I will be shooting my new 243AI in 2-3 months. As I have 2 rifles to handle the 100-115 gr bullets my gunsmith will be using a 1:10 twist as I wish to shoot 70-85 gr. bullets. I have somehow accumulated several boxes of 75 gr Vmax bullets. So, any loads out there for reference? Thanks

This is the lightest bullet I have tried in my 243AI. My barrel is a 1 - 7.5 Tw. However, I did get good accuracy with this load. Did not chrono.

PLEASE WORK UP YOUR LOAD

80 GR. BERGER FB TAR. 2.183 O M 2.695 COL T/L
POWDER 46.0 GR. H-4350 PRIMER FED 210M
SEATED @ 2.163 O M .020 OTL .269 BUSHING /.271 LOADED NECK DIA.
TWO 5-SHOT GROUPS RECORDED
.310 02/24/21
.292 02/26/21

 

[nmkid]

I have had such good luck with Hammer Bullets in other rifles that now I'm asking about favorite loads with 70 gr HH bullets with the 243AI. Thanks.

 

[nmkid]

Some time back I got some Peterson SRP 243 cases for possible use on my new 243AI. I hadn't given the cases much thought until yesterday when I bumped into some CCI 450 Mag primers. So, have any of you guys shooting the 243AI used SRP before? What do you think?

 

[stork]

Some time back I got some Peterson SRP 243 cases for possible use on my new 243AI. I hadn't given the cases much thought until yesterday when I bumped into some CCI 450 Mag primers. So, have any of you guys shooting the 243AI used SRP before? What do you think?

The 450 is the only primer I use in my 243 AI. The Peterson 243 srp cases are what I chose also. Excellent brass & no indication of primer pockets opening up after 4 firings of some fairly stiff loads with 112 Barnes match burners.

 

[Bill Norris]

Some time back I got some Peterson SRP 243 cases for possible use on my new 243AI. I hadn't given the cases much thought until yesterday when I bumped into some CCI 450 Mag primers. So, have any of you guys shooting the 243AI used SRP before? What do you think?

Yes Sir. I use these in my 243AI and both of my 260AI as well. Very good performance. Load em and shoot em.

 

[nmkid]

Yes Sir. I use these in my 243AI and both of my 260AI as well. Very good performance. Load em and shoot em.

Great. Thanks.

 

[Brent Pugh]

100g Hornady BTSP
41g of IMR 4350
44g of IMR 4831
Rem primer
Rem case

 

[nmkid]

I stumbled upon a great deal on 65 gr VMAX bullets. The problem is, in all the searching I've done I do not have a single load for the 243AI 1:10 twist. Any help? Well, I have one load but it's with RL 15 and I don't have that powder.

 

[jja600]

Great hunting load
Tikka T3 lite .243 win 22 inch barrel
95g Berger classic
Hybrid 100V 42gr
CCI Br2
3000 FPS
COAL 2.720
RP brass

 

[nmkid]

Still working loads for my rifle. This one is done. Great accuracy and NO pressure signs. Next will be a load for the 87 gr. Vmax. Then I will end with a load with some 70 gr. Hammer Hunters.

Defiance Tenacity on a 26" Hawk Hill barrel
70 gr Sierra BKs.
CCI 200
48.0 grs. of WIN 760
Measured at ogive 2.700
Lapua Brass

 

[C.E.Smith043]

I stumbled upon a great deal on 65 gr VMAX bullets. The problem is, in all the searching I've done I do not have a single load for the 243AI 1:10 twist. Any help? Well, I have one load but it's with RL 15 and I don't have that powder.

H4895 is a great choice

 

[nmkid]

Once again! I have decided to forego the 65 gr Vmax for the 243 AI and jump right to the 87 gr Vmax. Went out yesterday and one of my loads shot a 3-shot group of .625 with 45 grs. of H-4350. Not overly happy with that result. The wind was blowing but, I don't feel it had made effect. Any suggestions on a different powder?

 

[Bill Norris]

Once again! I have decided to forego the 65 gr Vmax for the 243 AI and jump right to the 87 gr Vmax. Went out yesterday and one of my loads shot a 3-shot group of .625 with 45 grs. of H-4350. Not overly happy with that result. The wind was blowing but, I don't feel it had made effect. Any suggestions on a different powder?

If you have RL-17 or RL-19 give it a try.

 

[nmkid]

Nuts, all I have is RL-22. Guess I'll run out to the store. I was there yesterday and saw a can of RL but I don't recall what type it was.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Once again! I have decided to forego the 65 gr Vmax for the 243 AI and jump right to the 87 gr Vmax. Went out yesterday and one of my loads shot a 3-shot group of .625 with 45 grs. of H-4350. Not overly happy with that result. The wind was blowing but, I don't feel it had made effect. Any suggestions on a different powder?

Try, the 75 grain V-Max, 80 gr. Sierra Varminter or, 70 gr. NBT's as,..
I did NOT have, good luck with, 87 V-Maxes, in a 1-7.5 Twist ( the Group's, were NOT,. "Repeatable" ).
** Note,.. But, they shot great, in a 1-10 Twist, .243 win. Tikka, with N-160 and IMR 4350.
IMR 4350, H-4895 and VV N-160 Shot, the above 3 listed bullets, WELL, in my 6 XC.
Might try, N-150 with, these 3, Lighter Bullets
Good Luck !

 

[nmkid]

Try, the 75 grain V-Max, 80 gr. Sierra Varminter or, 70 gr. NBT's as,..
I did NOT have, good luck with, 87 V-Maxes, in a 1-7.5 Twist ( the Group's, were NOT,. "Repeatable" ).
** Note,.. But, they shot great, in a 1-10 Twist, .243 win. Tikka, with N-160 and IMR 4350.
IMR 4350, H-4895 and VV N-160 Shot, the above 3 listed bullets, WELL, in my 6 XC.
Might try, N-150 with, these 3, Lighter Bullets
Good Luck !

My barrel is a 1:10 twist. I do have some IMR 4350. Guess I'll try it. I only have about 1/2 lb. (or less) of H-4895 so I won't be trying that.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

IMR 4350 with, the 87 gr. V-Maxes, shoot great, in my old .243 Win Tikka, 1-10, it's now, my grandsons and he uses that Bullet for, Steel,.. Field, Practice and the 87 gr. H-VLD Berger for Deer, at around, 3,115 FPS.
Close to same, POI ( Minor Adj Left / Right ) with, the trajectory being "close", on both, bullets.
He's shot, 2 Nice, Desert Muley's with, the Berger's at 225 and 268 yards so far, with the last one being, a 4 x 5 over 30 inches wide and Heavy Horned at, 13 years old.
My son shot, a .277 Dia, 5 shot, group with that Rifle, using the N-160 / 87 gr. Berger, load.
The 87 V-Maxes are right behind that bullet with group's, usually printing around, a 1/2 to 5/8th's MOA.

 

[nmkid]

Now I'm going to try the 58 gr. Vmax. Using IMR 4064 (.243) the Hornady book lists 43.6 as the max for a listed 3800 fps. I wonder if the bullet will stay together with, say, about 45 grs. in the 243AI?