Reload opinions for a .243?

[Mr.T]

Just picked up a Savage Axis for my daughter (11) and want to find a load it likes. Would love to get some opinions on brass, bullets n powder.  She will be hunting deer with me and an occasional yote.  Thanks!

[Biggerhammer]

A 90gr nosler Accubond parked on top of a ample charge of Varget.

[Hornseeker]

I am pushing the 85 grain Barnes TSX with about 37gr of H380... mainly...because I had a fresh can of it... there are tons of options... Pick a bullet (either the Barnes or the 90 Accubond noted above) and load some different charges up... and go shoot it! See if it likes one bullet or the other... see if it likes a max load or a lighter load (my guns seem to like nearer max loads)... then fine tune by adjusting the seat depth...

Good Luck!

[BULLBLASTER]

I shoot either 90 grain accubond or 95 grain ballistic tip over some imr 4350 from my 243. Both are hell on deer and yotes. Lots of bang flops with either. And almost always pass throughs on deer.

[nwwanderer]

Load lots and let your daughter shoot them. 

[ELKBURGER]

I have loaded a wide variety of combinations, 55 gr ballistic up to 100 gr, with diferrent powders and charges. Its been fun experimenting since the 243 is a sweetheart to shoot. I have had good accuracy results out to 300 yards but I have not taken a deer further than 40 yards with it. Still wanting to play at further distance and take a buck beyond 200 with it.
Bottom line, experiment with loads and see what your rifle likes. Good luck and have fun!

[Mr.T]

Thanks for the replies...daughter is excited to figure out the right load with me. Shooter confidence can make tighter groups too.   Good point on the seat depth Hornseeker. I'm newer to reloading but did that naturally with my Savage 110 after I found a charge it liked. Thanks ya'll!

[jrebel]

Just a thought....if you daughter is not going to shoot a ton it may be cheaper to buy ammo.  My wife's Savage Lady hunter loves Winchester Super X 100 grain.  It shoots tighter groups than I can load and is extremely devastating on deer sized game.  I load .243 for myself and use H414 with 100 grain bullets with real good luck.