.243 Load?

[elkhuntingfool]

I've been doing some research on a load for my .243 and have come up with the following - just wanted to get some opinions.

87g bullet, 40.5gr of IMR 4350

Sound good? This is my varmint/predator rifle.

Thanks!

 

[KI.W.]

Sounding

Sounds better; VihtaVuori N-560 48gr for me, but I live in Finland

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I tend to stick with the load data for the bullet I'm using. Nosler bullet, I use the Nosler load manual. Speer or Sierra, their manual.

That said, I've had good luck with the boys cheaper Rossi single shots in .243 with Noslers and 4350, but even better accuracy with some H4895.

Every rifle barrel is different, so work your loads up to what's most accurate, not neccessarily most powerful. Look for excess pressure signs, and be warned that there is some controversy regarding light loading the .243.

-Steve

 

[Galil5.56]

Elk,

The load you mention is rather light, and could be worked up a lot if desired, and proven safe in your rifle. I use a custom Mauser .243 for varmint hunting, and when I lived in Utah it really did a number on Rock Chucks, and ground squirrels at very long, windy ranges.

I have used a lot of H4350 and 75 grain bullets with very good accuracy, but for many years I have been using H414 with fantastic results! H414 will push Nosler 55 gr BT at an actual chroned velocity of over 4000 fps, will easily drive 75's at almost 3500, and 85 HPBT's 3300-ish, all with great accuracy (best so far .232" @ 100/3 shot group off bags). IMR 4831 has worked well for me too, but H414 is fantastic because of its easy ball metering, and even very large charges do not compress (not that there is anything wrong with that )

About the only "issue" I have found with H414 is the mandatory use of Magnum primers to keep loads accurate. Not to sway you from IMR 4350, but H414 is touted as "ball 4350", and this burning rate IMO and experience. is about ideal in the .243 Win.

Good luck!

 

[Shawnee]

Hi elkhunt...

Your load strikes me, as another noted, to be too "light" for best accuracy with that bullet.

I have for years used 42.5 gr. of IMR4350 behind the Hornady 87gr. BTHP for deer (about 40 of them) and it is absolute lightning on 'em. Have sent numerous coyotes, woodchucks, a few javalinas and a few feral hogs to Paradise with it too. It has always been very, very accurate in most of the dozen or so .243s I've owned. The best 5-shot, 100-yd. group I recall was .432" but many, many groups hung around 3/4" at 100yds. You should work up to this load in half-grain increments though. I usually seated the bullet just barely off the lands.

With all that said, it is obviously way more load than one needs for chucks or prairie dogs. The Hornady 75gr. pills have also done very well for me with near-max loads of IMR4350 and that's what I would suggest you try for your varmint loads.

HTH