Looking for accurate .243 antelope load

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TonyM

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I realize each gun has it preferences, bullet weight, etc. etc. However, I've also found some "generally" work well with many guns. I've spent years working up loads in 7mm rem mag and 300 win mag. Unlike many, spending time working up loads is not my favorite past time. Tweaking them is ok.
With that anyone have any antelope loads they recommend? I'm not hellbent on any particular bullet weight- min would be 85 max 100+....
 
The .243 is, to me, probably the perfect antelope medicine but why don't you just use the 7? I will run away and hide now! lol
If your shots may well be over 300 yards, go with a boat tail, of course. I'd use something 90-100gr. Good luck and have fun.
 
If my only goat gun was a .243 I would feel just fine with that. But if you have a 7 mag. load that big boy up with a 120 gr. on top of some RL22 for 3400 fps of long range goat getting stopping power. But if you insist on the .243, then pick a 90 or 95 gr. BT and load it with a slow burning powder.
 
85gr Sierra HPBT #1530- IMR 4350 or H4350-42.0gr COL 2.640" CCI-Br2 primer- Win or Rem brass. 400 yds max. range.
 
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Thanks to all who have replied. I've been using my 300 win mag with 150 grain accubonds screaming out of it. "Shortest" shot has been 370 yards. I've been hunting late season Does and they are skittery.... Thoughts on max range of .243 on smaller antelope??? My 7 doesn't seem to like the lighter bullets (140's) except at minimum loads, which kind of defeats the purpose of using the magnum IMHO....
 
For your application, I suggest the 95gr Nosler Ballistic Tips.
I've found that for two rifles I've recently worked with that 41.5gr of IMR4350 was excellent.
However, I'd suggest you start at 39.0 and work up. 41.5gr gives 3,100fps from a 22" bbl. It has an excellent ballistic coefficient (95gr B.T.) and will open up (expand) well at the extended ranges you are shooting at.
My experience with the .243 is that the bullets can fail at close ranges (under 75yds) due to high velocity and fail to expand at extended distances (over 300yds). The ballistic tips are very frangible at close range, but at longish distances perform as they are intended to.
For a close range load, I suggest the 100gr Hornady Interlok (flat base) as it holds together decently. The 100gr boat-tail Hornady isn't an "Interlok", so avoid it for close range shooting. For long range (0ver 100yds) it's "ok". For mule deer, you'll do better with the 100gr Nosler Partiton.
I'm not a huge fan of the .243. I've shot too many deer with a .257 and .223. I'll take a .257, 6.5, or .270 over the .243 any day. And a .22-250 for varmints...... and small deer. The .243 just dosen't "do it" for me.
 
My old 243 gets it done with 45. grs. of IMR7828 and 100 gr. Sierra GK, don't know how far you plan on shooting goats, but I've taken some good sized whitetails out as far as 363 yards with that load. Drops them quickly. And shoots sub MOA in my rifle. 2nd favortie load will be 42 grs of RL22 and a 100gr. Nosler partition. Accuracy is ho-hum (almost moa) but it sure puts the smack-down on them. The Nephew took a nice black bear with that load this year. If you gonna shoot out past 400 yards, you better stick to the big guns. BTW have you tried 61. grns of IMR4831 and a 150 Nosler BT in your 7mag. Clocks around 3000 fps and shoots sub MOA in most rifles I've tried in. That would make you a great goat load.
 
Thanks for all the replies-- I think I'll try the 95 grain nosler ballistic tips. I tried the ballistic silvertips- factory first, than handloads. Ironically I couldn't get the handloads to shoot as well as the factory loads. Weird.... Also, will the ballistic tips shoot differently than ballistic silvertips? I thought they were the same bullet, only the combined technology "silvertip" had a coating?
 
tony, are you neck-sizing, or full-length resizing? if the factory loads are more accurate, you may want to full-length resize.

murf
 
Do not know your range, but you could try this, Hornady 95 Grain SST with 34.5 grains of H-4895, Win LR Primer, set to 2.63 OAL. Works well for my rifle. 1:9.25 twist.

Jim
 
I think I'll try the 95 grain nosler ballistic tips.

I would think that having used the accubonds in the 300 Win Mag, I'm wondering why you didn't even think to consider the bonded bullets from Nosler or Hornady for the 243? If they shoot well in the rifle, they are one of the best choices on game, and work well at any range, and are reasonably priced.
The 243 can use all the help it can get in the bullet department, because most of the complaints about it is due to bullet performance on larger game.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/42...er-243-diameter-85-grain-boat-tail-box-of-100

The 90gr Nosler Accubond is not in stock right now.


NCsmitty
 
I've been using the 95 gr. SST's w/ H-4350 out of my Rem 788 for a number of years now and it absolutely hammers deer. I'm sure it'd do the same on antelope. I have a Model 7 that shoots the same bullet well with IMR-7828. That said, I think H-4350 is the better choice.
 
I've been full length resizing... I didn't even realize there was a bonded .243 bullet- thx! I've heard the partitions aren't quite as accurate out of the .243....
 
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