243 loads question?

[PA BEN]

I loaded up for the first time some 243's. I just started reloading so type slow. I loaded up 10 rounds w/ IMR4350, 40 grs-REM. case WIN. large rifle primers. I used Hornady InterLock 100 gr. BTSP. They don't group worth S#!t. I'm thinking It's the bullet.
BTW, I loaded up 7mm. rem. mags. w/Nosler AccuBonds and there tack drivers.

[257 Wby Mag]

Ask Josh T, he knows EVERYTHING..........

[dontgetcrabs]

Ask Josh T, he knows EVERYTHING..........

Now that's funny..   

[Mike450r]

I loaded some for my kids a few years ago, 39.5 grs H4350 100 gr partitions, Rem brass, federal primers.   grouped very nice

[jdb]

I'm gald this was brought up as I am kinda looking for either a load that will work for both deer and coyotes or two loads that have a similar poi? any idea's?

[BULLBLASTER]

i load nosler b-tips (95 gr.) over 42.5 grains of IMR 4350 and they shoot great out of my stainless ruger 77

[JoshT]

Ask Josh T, he knows EVERYTHING..........

That's my wife bro...

Never seen a .243 that don't like 100s though...

[jackelope]

i aquired a pile of hand loaded 100grn boat tails and my 243 loves them.
 
i'll scribble down the recipe tonight and post it tomorrow.

[JackOfAllTrades]

What you're shootin them out of matters too.

I started my boys out on Rossi single shots. The Hornady, Nosler and Remington CoreLocts shoot fine from those short barrels. Best accuracy has been from the Noslers, but the Hornady 100BT's are close. Best load has been with H4895. I didn't get the best accuracy with IMR4350 for that short of a case. (I love that powder for some larger cases though).

Here's what I do. Pick a powder that the books list for that bullet. Find the mid/low load. Load five. Mark them with a sharpie.

Load five more at the mid value. Mark them. Load five more at a mid/high value. (not high, and start looking for over pressure signs when you shoot this batch) Mark them.

Shoot each of the five from a cold barrel. (yes, let it cool between each shot)

Stick with one seating depth/OACL. Of the three loads, your notes/target should be self explanitory of where you need to go with that powder.

Then I do it all again with a different powder.

Once I'm in the ball park of accuracy I'm looking for, then I play with bullet seating depth to get the most accurate load.

Then I do it all again with a different bullet.

-Steve

[Buckmark]

I am not a .243 expert, but i do shoot 6mm and what jackofalltrades said, depends on what your shooting them out of, just curious what your rate of twist is? My 6mm did better with .95grain then 100. Isnt reloading fun...

[Big10gauge]

I've got a Ruger Mountain rifle that my Rem 1100 puts a better pattern out than the Ruger when using 100 grainers, switch to 95 grain and under and it shoots 1moa or better

[carpsniperg2]

the rifle i have in 243 like the 100grain bullets alot nos-part bullets for deer nos-balitstic for yotes

[jmkuhlman]

It is more than likely your load amount and not the bullet.  I recommend performing a quick ladder test to match your powder and bullet to your rifle. 

[lazydrifter]

Could be the gun.  Maybe you better sell it to me.

[KimberRich]

i load nosler b-tips (95 gr.) over 42.5 grains of IMR 4350 and they shoot great out of my stainless ruger 77

Shot some very similar loads and they grouped OK out of my Kimber but hated what they did to the animal.  I'll never shoot ballistic tips at anything I plan on eating, again.  If your looking for serious impact and blood shot meat I think they are fine but not what I need out of a .243.  It already shoots flat and fast.  Hit a nice buck a couple inches behind the shoulder when he was quartering away and the bullet blew apart and destroyed most the front shoulder even though I didn't hit it.

I think I used to shoot a Speer bullet.  Possibly a Grand Slam.. In 100 grains and it shot great.

[C-Money]

I load 40.5 gr of imr 4350 with the 100gr hornaday interlock. That load has shot very well and proved deady for my family in more than one rifle. Sorry you are having trouble, it can be frustrating!

[bow-n-head]

I just started shooting 95 gr. Berger bullets. I tried many charges, and different powders, and 40 grains of IMR 4350 shoots great out of my Rem. 700.

[BULLBLASTER]

i load nosler b-tips (95 gr.) over 42.5 grains of IMR 4350 and they shoot great out of my stainless ruger 77

Shot some very similar loads and they grouped OK out of my Kimber but hated what they did to the animal.  I'll never shoot ballistic tips at anything I plan on eating, again.  If your looking for serious impact and blood shot meat I think they are fine but not what I need out of a .243.  It already shoots flat and fast.  Hit a nice buck a couple inches behind the shoulder when he was quartering away and the bullet blew apart and destroyed most the front shoulder even though I didn't hit it.

I think I used to shoot a Speer bullet.  Possibly a Grand Slam.. In 100 grains and it shot great.

i have seen that same thing, but not in the last 4 or 5 years. i actually switched to something else for a few years and heard they changed the b tips that i was using to hold together. the newer ones IMO are a lot better about holding together, or at least not exploding.

[257 Wby Mag]

Just did some 100 Nosler Partitions, 45.5 grains 7828. Haven't chrono'd em yet, supposed to be 3123 fps, a little slower outta my 20'' snout. Also did some 55 Bt's, they're pretty "magical" on bucks too...

[KimberRich]

i load nosler b-tips (95 gr.) over 42.5 grains of IMR 4350 and they shoot great out of my stainless ruger 77

Shot some very similar loads and they grouped OK out of my Kimber but hated what they did to the animal.  I'll never shoot ballistic tips at anything I plan on eating, again.  If your looking for serious impact and blood shot meat I think they are fine but not what I need out of a .243.  It already shoots flat and fast.  Hit a nice buck a couple inches behind the shoulder when he was quartering away and the bullet blew apart and destroyed most the front shoulder even though I didn't hit it.

I think I used to shoot a Speer bullet.  Possibly a Grand Slam.. In 100 grains and it shot great.

i have seen that same thing, but not in the last 4 or 5 years. i actually switched to something else for a few years and heard they changed the b tips that i was using to hold together. the newer ones IMO are a lot better about holding together, or at least not exploding.

It was probably 4 or 5 years ago I experienced that so maybe they have changed the design which would be good.  I'll have to look into that and maybe load a couple and try them out.  Thanks for the info!

[gtrplr]

I have a Winchester model 70 .243 and have always used Sierra 100 grain gameking bullets and have always shot .5" groups or better. Usually can shoot 5 that a quarter will cover so you might try them. I have shot two deer and the bullets held together and did a fantastic job.