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Site Needs .243/.243AI Loads & Comments

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
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 !
 
Last edited:
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 

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