Post by: skeeter 20i on February 24, 2016, 10:48:03 AM
And second I am totally at a loss for which powder to start working up reloading loads for. I have manuals and will verify and work up the loads on my own but which powders are you guys having success with and are there any combinations that seem to preform well for you? I know each rifle is different but if you guys could suggest a place to begin, I was thinking I would start out with around a 95 grain? The Barrel is a 1:10 22" 6 groove. The rifle's sole purpose in life will be a Whitetail backup gun and a fun paper puncher.
The powders I have on hand are IMR4350 and H4831sc (RL22 is the next powder I'm going to buy) I'll buy whatever powder I need to but that's what I have on hand.
I appreciate any help you guys can offer.
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 24, 2016, 10:52:44 AM
Post by: skeeter 20i on February 24, 2016, 10:54:49 AM
What is the twist rate? What bullet(s) are you going to load?
I was thinking I would start out with around a 95 grain? The Barrel is a 1:10 22" 6 groove
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 24, 2016, 11:00:08 AM
Varget and IMR 4350 have been good for me in the lighter bullets (55grain)
H380 is listed and would definitely be worth a try. The only downside to it is temperature sensitivity. If you buy RL22 and that works good then I would stay with that :tup:
Post by: C-Money on February 24, 2016, 11:02:16 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 24, 2016, 11:17:47 AM
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 24, 2016, 11:19:04 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 24, 2016, 11:23:58 AM
There is so much load data/bullets/powders that will work for you at that bullet weight. Just start experimenting :tup:like I always tell guys before I work up a load for them. Pick the bullet you want to shoot then work from there. I have never been able to NOT get a bullet and powder to shoot well. There is always a compination of charge/seating depth that will work. :tup:
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 24, 2016, 11:28:05 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 24, 2016, 11:31:09 AM
:yeah: I usually back myself into a corner that way and buy 500+ of the same bullets :chuckle::chuckle: I have 1100, 190gr 30 cal LRAB.......just sayin :chuckle:
Post by: Kittman on February 24, 2016, 11:36:30 AM
Post by: skeeter 20i on February 24, 2016, 11:36:52 AM
There is so much load data/bullets/powders that will work for you at that bullet weight. Just start experimenting :tup:
Thanks yeah I really appreciate what you're saying. I guess what I was wondering is if there was any sort of general consensus like there is for a 30.06 I can't tell you how many times when I was just starting out that I read something to the affect "if your 30.06 wont shoot 165/168's over 57gr of one of the 4350's sell the rifle"
I chuckled at first and worked up my own loads with IMR4350 & 165AB's, & 165 Interlock's, 165 SST's and ended ± 57gr and sub MOA. I was just wondering if there was anything like that floating around for the .243.
Post by: bobcat on February 24, 2016, 11:40:22 AM
http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/ocw-load-recipes/4533485759
Post by: Emptyhanded on February 24, 2016, 12:01:01 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: jasnt on February 24, 2016, 09:17:49 PM
Post by: skeeter 20i on February 25, 2016, 08:57:55 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 25, 2016, 09:03:56 AM
anyone have a information source location for Hornady 95gr SST's with IMR 4350? It doesn't list this powder in the hornady book or on the hogdon website? Can I use the IMR 4350 range from the Nosler BT and Part. as a guide and start in the middle and work up or am I asking for trouble substituting info in broad strokes for somewhat similar projectiles like that?You will be fine
Post by: lokidog on February 25, 2016, 09:36:57 AM
There is so much load data/bullets/powders that will work for you at that bullet weight. Just start experimenting :tup:
Thanks yeah I really appreciate what you're saying. I guess what I was wondering is if there was any sort of general consensus like there is for a 30.06 I can't tell you how many times when I was just starting out that I read something to the affect "if your 30.06 wont shoot 165/168's over 57gr of one of the 4350's sell the rifle"
I chuckled at first and worked up my own loads with IMR4350 & 165AB's, & 165 Interlock's, 165 SST's and ended ± 57gr and sub MOA. I was just wondering if there was anything like that floating around for the .243.
That's funny, my go to load for the last almost 30 years is 56.3 gr IMR 4350 behind pretty much any 165 gr bullet. It is good to hear that the 4350 will work for the .243 as I have one that I'd like to start reloading for sometime as the factory loads I've used are not as tight as I would like.
Post by: Taco280AI on February 28, 2016, 05:32:18 AM
Post by: Todd_ID on February 28, 2016, 10:08:45 AM
Long story short is that I'll stick to bowhunting or use my 45-70 for a few years until that sour taste is gone.
Post by: Motorjosh on February 28, 2016, 10:24:13 AM
Post by: huntnphool on February 28, 2016, 10:28:21 AM
Post by: jasnt on February 28, 2016, 11:10:41 AM
Well, I'm not a reloading guru, but here's my experience this year. I used 41 grains of 4831 with a 100 grain Interlock in a Ruger American compact .243. That's an 18" barrel. I put a shot on a big-bodied mature muley buck this year at 140 yards. I hit him exactly where I would with my bow: just behind the shoulder for a good double lung hit. I left him overnight as it was close to dark, but I knew my shot was within 1" of where I intended. I tracked him almost 2 miles with only pencil point drops of blood. My guess and research has led me to believe the bullet never expanded, and I put a 6mm hole through his lungs. I've now learned that my combination either needs to be limited to 100 yards or MUST hit the shoulder AND be limited to 250 yards based on velocity that the bullet needs to work properly.this is why I shoot bergers for deer. I love the double lung shot and don't like to ruin meat, never had a buck go more than 50 yards. I hate punching shoulders.
Long story short is that I'll stick to bowhunting or use my 45-70 for a few years until that sour taste is gone.
Post by: JLS on February 28, 2016, 11:14:39 AM
Post by: buckfvr on March 13, 2016, 02:35:02 PM
I know our test does little for you and the 10 twist barrel, but my 10 twist with 95gr Berger Classic Hunters also very much likes H4831sc.
I am waiting on a 7.75 twist Benchmark barrel for a new .243 Im putting together, and I will jump right to the IMR 7828 head to head with H4831. I have no doubt all the work we put in to develop the RPR in .243 will carry over to my 7.75 twist .243 with little to no modification.
Post by: WoodlandShooter on March 15, 2016, 10:27:06 AM
We did a load development for the .243 Ruger Precission over on Long Range Hunting and 24 hour Campground. It was specifically for the 105gr Berger VLD Hunting bullet since the rifle comes with a 7.7 twist. We tried many powders and primers. In the end, it came down to IMR 7828ssc and H4831sc. Both had low es and sd. We settled on the H4831 with sub 1/2 moa 5 shot groups consistently at 100 yards. The rifle load combo has also produced 1/2 moa at 800 yards.
I know our test does little for you and the 10 twist barrel, but my 10 twist with 95gr Berger Classic Hunters also very much likes H4831sc.
I am waiting on a 7.75 twist Benchmark barrel for a new .243 Im putting together, and I will jump right to the IMR 7828 head to head with H4831. I have no doubt all the work we put in to develop the RPR in .243 will carry over to my 7.75 twist .243 with little to no modification.
I had similar results with my RPR in 243WIN. Settled on 43 grains H4831SC pushing a Hornady 105OTM.
Post by: ELKBURGER on March 15, 2016, 11:04:46 AM
sounds like you are set for life, unless you are a tournament shooter. :tup::yeah: I usually back myself into a corner that way and buy 500+ of the same bullets :chuckle::chuckle: I have 1100, 190gr 30 cal LRAB.......just sayin :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on March 15, 2016, 07:42:43 PM
No tournaments for me but I do burn a lot of powder :chuckle:sounds like you are set for life, unless you are a tournament shooter. :tup::yeah: I usually back myself into a corner that way and buy 500+ of the same bullets :chuckle::chuckle: I have 1100, 190gr 30 cal LRAB.......just sayin :chuckle:
Post by: theleo on March 16, 2016, 07:24:27 AM
Well, I'm not a reloading guru, but here's my experience this year. I used 41 grains of 4831 with a 100 grain Interlock in a Ruger American compact .243. That's an 18" barrel. I put a shot on a big-bodied mature muley buck this year at 140 yards. I hit him exactly where I would with my bow: just behind the shoulder for a good double lung hit. I left him overnight as it was close to dark, but I knew my shot was within 1" of where I intended. I tracked him almost 2 miles with only pencil point drops of blood. My guess and research has led me to believe the bullet never expanded, and I put a 6mm hole through his lungs. I've now learned that my combination either needs to be limited to 100 yards or MUST hit the shoulder AND be limited to 250 yards based on velocity that the bullet needs to work properly.I've never had that problem with my 243, but the loads are also ones my dad came up with in the 70's. They're moving out their north of 3200 fps and the only thing we've ever recovered has been the occasional shredded copper jacket. I've put about a softball size hole in coyote at 350 yards with that load. 243's are very effective deer rifles with the rite loads.
Long story short is that I'll stick to bowhunting or use my 45-70 for a few years until that sour taste is gone.
Post by: NWShooter on April 03, 2016, 08:54:27 PM
Upon close inspection of the terminal damage, the jury is still out on which could be said to perform better? All were quick one shot stops with the lungs completely destroyed.
After years of shooting the .243 Winchester for Varmints, some big game here and there and for introducing young hunters to hunting and shooting. I found that Varget is hard to beat for the combo of speed and accuracy. It is also a extremely temperature tolerant powder.
Post by: WoodlandShooter on April 05, 2016, 10:08:35 AM
Trued velocity is ~2950