Need some help with a .243

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Newtosavage

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I couldn't lay off a Tikka T3 in .243 that I came across the other day, and now I'm working up a hunting load for it.

I was pleased to discover that the gun LOVES Federal Fusion factory ammo, twice now giving me 2" groups at 300 yards. I probably should just shoot it and call it a day, but what fun would that be? :D

Since I'm hunting deer, I prefer 100 grain bullets. However, this rifle has a 1:10 twist which I've read can be a problem with stabilizing the heavier .243 bullets.

So far, loading Hornady BTSP Interlock 100's over H4350 I've had mixed results. One day they group great, the next not so much. Meanwhile, the Federal Fusions are as predictable as the sunrise.

Just curious what other bullets/powders folks would recommend for a 1:10 .243 Tikka T3

Thanks.
 
Try the flat based versions of the 100gr bullets. Those are plenty short enough to stabilize in a 1-10. Even my 1-10 6x47rem does ok with the flat base.

For deer size game the 85-95s game bullets are actually plenty. Some of my best results have been with 85grn sgks
 
I had a Winchester lightweight M70 rifle with a 20" barrel. What a delightful little rifle. I used a lot of 4350, IIRC, with 90 grain and 105 grain bullets for deer and killed a truckload full with that fine rifle. I do admire the .243. With either bullet it was extremely accurate and lightning on deer.
 
Not tried a tikka but I've had some great shooting loads using hornady 95 hr SSTs and H414, H4350 and a couple other powders. The SSTs have been really accurate in both of my 243s.
 
Newtosavage said:
I couldn't lay off a Tikka T3 in .243 that I came across the other day, and now I'm working up a hunting load for it.

I was pleased to discover that the gun LOVES Federal Fusion factory ammo, twice now giving me 2" groups at 300 yards. I probably should just shoot it and call it a day, but what fun would that be? :D

Since I'm hunting deer, I prefer 100 grain bullets. However, this rifle has a 1:10 twist which I've read can be a problem with stabilizing the heavier .243 bullets.

So far, loading Hornady BTSP Interlock 100's over H4350 I've had mixed results. One day they group great, the next not so much. Meanwhile, the Federal Fusions are as predictable as the sunrise.

Just curious what other bullets/powders folks would recommend for a 1:10 .243 Tikka T3

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Give Sierra Game Kings a try over 4350.
 
Thanks for the great suggestions!

I think the LGS has some 95 grain SST's. I am using H4350 powder now. Will try those next, and probably the 95 grain Partitions too.
 
Agreed, but at least 1 of my manuals lists all 3 of them in 95 grain and 100 grain 243 data. All 3 are suitable, with H4350, IMR4350 and Accurate 4350 all listed. They are not the same but all similar.
 
"...giving me 2" groups at 300 yards..." If that's with factory 95 grain bullets you're done. A 100 grain bullet will not do anything the 95 will not.
The 1 in 10 twist will do nicely with 100's. Normal twist is 1 in 9.125.
Don't think you'll beat that 2" at 300 though. Mind you, they drop like rocks past 200 when sighted in dead on at 100. Sighted in 3.2" high at 100 they should be on at 200 and about 8.7" low at 300. Energy's marginal at 300 anyway.
However, a 100 loaded to around 2900ish MV sighted in 3.3" high at 100 will be on at 200 and about 9" low at 300 with just enough energy. 2900ish is a max load for most powders, but there are some Hodgdon powders with mid range loads that'll do it.
 
I've had good results with 35gs of H380 with 100gr Sierra Game King and 37 grs of H380 with 87gr Vmax. While no means "screamer" loads, they are accurate, and stabilize well.
 
Sunray, I enjoy shooting and hunting with my own handloads. Otherwise I would say you are spot-on. And it sure is nice to know I can go down to Wal-Mart and get a box of Federal Fusions that will shoot like that from my gun. But at $20/box for the Fusion, I think I'll load my own for trigger time and the sake of my own curiosity.

I toyed with seating depth a little bit today, and my last two groups with the H4350 and Hornady BTSP Interlock were 0.9" and 0.78" at 100 yards. Now we're talking... I wouldn't have guessed they wanted to jump so far but it seems like they do.

My Chrono is telling me that 39.5 grains of H4350 under that 100 grain interlock gives me 2800 fps. from my 22" barrel. A bit slower than I expected but still plenty IMO.
 
Newtosavage said:
Sunray, I enjoy shooting and hunting with my own handloads. Otherwise I would say you are spot-on. And it sure is nice to know I can go down to Wal-Mart and get a box of Federal Fusions that will shoot like that from my gun. But at $20/box for the Fusion, I think I'll load my own for trigger time and the sake of my own curiosity.

I toyed with seating depth a little bit today, and my last two groups with the H4350 and Hornady BTSP Interlock were 0.9" and 0.78" at 100 yards. Now we're talking... I wouldn't have guessed they wanted to jump so far but it seems like they do.

My Chrono is telling me that 39.5 grains of H4350 under that 100 grain interlock gives me 2800 fps. from my 22" barrel. A bit slower than I expected but still plenty IMO.
Click to expand...

That was my exact load for my savage 11, it dupilicates Winchester standard 100gn PP load. Which is my favorite cheap .243 ammo.
 
My girlfriend's Savage Axis in 243 shoots 5 into one hole at 50 yards. It's a 1:9.25 twist rate...close to your 1:10. Running a Nosler ballistic tip, 95 grain...don't have my notes in front of me right now, but I'm 99% sure it's 40.9 grains of reloder19, CCI 200 primers, Hornady brass. Don't recall COAL, but it wasn't anything "weird".

That combo took a nice whitetail doe this year, 150 yard shot and it went down where it stood.
 
Newtosavage said:
Sunray, I enjoy shooting and hunting with my own handloads. Otherwise I would say you are spot-on. And it sure is nice to know I can go down to Wal-Mart and get a box of Federal Fusions that will shoot like that from my gun. But at $20/box for the Fusion, I think I'll load my own for trigger time and the sake of my own curiosity.

I toyed with seating depth a little bit today, and my last two groups with the H4350 and Hornady BTSP Interlock were 0.9" and 0.78" at 100 yards. Now we're talking... I wouldn't have guessed they wanted to jump so far but it seems like they do.

My Chrono is telling me that 39.5 grains of H4350 under that 100 grain interlock gives me 2800 fps. from my 22" barrel. A bit slower than I expected but still plenty IMO.
Click to expand...
So, I'd check to make sure it'll seat in your chamber but with either 95 or 100 gr bullets (partitions and btips95, Sierra prohunters100) hodgdon Max loads of h1000 seated at 2.68" will print sub .75" at 100 yds and sub moa out to 500 with the prohunters, at 30 yds, they obliterate vitals on good sized muleys, and still mushroom and exit at 500 yds, mv on a 20" bbl is 2920 with the 100 gr over a chronograph with single digit variations using mixed brass and win lr primers. If you want to download for youngsters, a reduced 4895 load with an 85 partition or gameking will do the trick. Won't guarantee the gameking will stabilize reduced in a 10 twist though, the partitions still should. And you can practice with cheaper 85 gr varminters from Sierra that group beautifully and can double as a game bullet with careful shot placement. For the 85 gr I believe I seated at 2.65 and I'm sure this would be feasible for the heavier loads as well, but my rifles take the longer coal and if it ain't broke I ain't fixing it lol.
 
Last edited:
Okay, I may have found something. LOL

5 shots - 0.472"

Hornady 100 grain BTSP Interlocks over 39.5 grains of H4350

Just had to get the seating depth right, and as luck would have it, it's right at the cannelure which makes for a great reference point.

IMG_0701.JPG
 
Last edited:
I do. Fixed it. Thanks for the catch. Not sure you could get 49.5 grains in the case! LOL
 
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