243 Varmint Load

[littleguns223]

What is the best bullet to use for a good varmint load? I have been looking at the 58gr Vmax using Hodgdon benchmark powder. Any good suggestions?

 

[Galil5.56]

Most times I use Sierra 75 grain HPs or Nosler 55 grain BT's. Propellants are H4350 or H414. Mag primers always with the H414 to improve accuracy, and either bullet will produce nearly single hole groups @100. Measured velocities with worked up 75 grain loads are in the mid to high 3400's; 55s clock in just over 4000 fps... Crows literally look like puffs of smoke when the 55s connect, and the 75s are absolutely devastating to ground squirrels, rock chucks, and groundhogs in my experience at very, very long range.

My particular rifle never shot IMR 3031 or IMR 4064 nearly as well as the two mentioned, so it seems to like to live on the "slower" end of high load density, slower propellants. FWIW, my rifle also becomes more accurate the faster the velocity.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive never shot any little critters with my .243, but ive worked up loads for the 65grn Vmax, 70grn Balistic tip, 75 grn Sierra HP, 85 grn Sierra HPBT, and 88 grn berger flatbase vld. The last two are a bit on the tuff side for good expansion on light game i think. I use H4350 for all bullets and got good accuracy, and expected velocity. I also used Superformance for the lighter bullets and got OK accuracy with the 65s and 70s, and semi-terrible accuracy with the heavier bullets.
My rifle isnt a sub MOA gun with any of the lighter loads, I get my best accuracy with 95+ grain bullets.

 

[ssyoumans]

I like the 75gr Vmax bullets pushed by Superformance. 48gr gives me 3349fps out of my Marlin XS7. This weight bullet has a better BC than the 55 or 58's and you can load longer than the short 55 & 58. Good for anything from crow to Coyote. I also tried Varget, but didn't like it as much. Between this load at a 95gr SST pushed with H414, I feel I have the 243 covered.

 

[wolfe6]

Has anyone had luck with the 58 grain v-x. I just bought a hundred an wanna try this. I know win makes 55 grain but a 31 dollars a box!

 

[TC8500]

The following varmit load has worked quite well for me over the years.
Winchester Case
Federal 210M primer
H-4895, 40 grains
Nosler 70 grain BT
Velocity 3350 out of a Remington 700 with a 24" barrel
Very accurate load with no high pressure signs. a dime covered the 4 round group @ 100 yards. This load puts "Wiley" down graveyard dead right now.

 

[littleguns223]

Thanks guys for the information.

 

[wolfe6]

I found a couple on the net that guys swear by so I guess I will try those.

 

[mbopp]

Back when I had a 243 I used the Sierra 75gr HP and I-4064.

 

[Vartarg]

Just curious.....

Not disagreeing with any comments on the thread, but am just curious what you mean by "varmints?"

Prairie dogs/gophers? Coyotes?

I'd give different suggestions, depending....

Thanks,

George

 

[CHALK22]

I got me two gophers one year with a 95 grain partition on top of 4831. Pink mist.....

 

[Craigman]

best I've had is 40gn Varget under a 75gn vmax. >3300fps same hole out of a ruger. never shot animals, but peaches turn to mist and zucchini flies 30feet in all directions. lol