.243 Varmint load

[Minihuntur]

I'm borrowing some reloading stuff from a buddy to handload my .243. Any ideas for loads? I've had really good experience with Winchester Supreme 55gr Nosler Ballistic Tip factory loads(1/2 in @ 100yds) so I think I will load the Nosler BTs but how much of what type of powder is good. I really want accuracy and speed. I'm using a Weatherby Vanguard SS 24in. BBL.
Minihuntur

[Dan Morris]

First, welcome back to HC.....Several years ago, I downloaded a loading site.
www.data.hodgdon.com

It is full of info.Later, I bought a program from Rocky that is far advanced. If you cannot get a reloading book with the stuff you are using, perhaps this will help.
Loading is kinda trial and error as to what bullet/powder your rifle is gonna like best! Hope this helps.
Dan
:)

[Rapier]

Mini,
The factory cartridges are loaded to a specific velocity for a bullet weight. All you need do is find the factory velocity data on line then duplicate the velocity from a load manual. The result should be the very same accuracy. At least that is how the factories build ammo. :) On the other hand what you could do is to simply use the accuracy load in the old Lyman book and 99% of the time you will have an accurate load within +- .5 grains.
Best,
Ed

[Minihuntur]

Unfortunately the local gunstore has almost no selection even though they are a major chain store. They were sold out of all primers and .243 brass when I got there and the only suitable powder was Hodgdon Benchmark. So I bought a pound of it and eventually got some brass and primers, but I'm not having any luck with accuracy. I started with 39.0grs and got average 2in. groups @ 100yds. I stepped up to 39.5grs and averaged 1.7, so I have loaded up some with 40.5grs of powder and am hoping for the best. I was wonderin though, the recomended trim-to-length for cases is 2.045in but none of the cases I got were close to that long. Most were 2.038 but I have found some as small as 2.026in. I trim all that I use to 2.035. Also how far should I seat my bullets out? I'm using Nosler 55gr Ballistic Tips of course.
Minihuntur

[Rapier]

The OAL of a cartridge is personal prefrence as long as you do not jam the bullet into the lands. I prefer .003 off myself, because it is an easy setting to work up. You find the "just touching point" using black magic marker and back off 1/8 of a turn with your seater plug. Some prefer .010 off and some like just touching. You might try all three and see which seems to work for you. Just understand that the closer the tolerance the least forgiving the load is for dirt and dust.

I looked up Benchmark for you on a data site that had 104 loads for the 243posted. There was but one load for Benchmark and only one bullet weight, a 70gr over 39.3 gr with no group size but the velocity was 3400+ fps. So sounds like you should find something for the 55 at 39-42 grains. Just work up by .5 grains.

Ah, just found it see if this does not help you:
http://www.reloadersnest.com/detail.asp?CaliberID=5&Powder=Hodgdon+Benchmark&LoadID=6373
Best,
Ed

[Minihuntur]

I found a load for a 55gr jacketed bullet in the latest edition of the Lee reloading manual. Starting load is 39.0grs never exceed 41.5grs. I tried those loads I cooked up today and shot a genuine MOA group, I shot two acutally but one group was a bit larger because I flinched. I am now loaded up to 41.5 but its too dark to shoot now so I'l try them tomorow.
Minihuntur:)

[Minihuntur]

Now I've got a problem! I shot two great groups, .42 and .66 but the gun always shoots a 1.8in. group first. The barrel has to warm up before it shoots good. I think I'll have to use a faster powder or else free float the barrel. Sadly, there is a horrible reloading equipment shortage in Canada right now. Nothing is making it across the border!!! You Americans are hoarding it all.:mad: There are only 9lbs of powder in the biggest sporting goods store the province. 9LBS!!!:eek: The smaller stores dont have any of the right stuff either. Anyway, would freefloating help? Thanks.
Minihuntur:)

[Dan Morris]

I would just keep tinkering with it.....BTW, those were impressive groups!
I'd save the floating till much later.JMO...BTW, loading stuff here is not much better!!!
Dan

[Minihuntur]

Sadly theres not much more tinkering to do unless I get some other powder. I cant find ANY! I'd like some IMR-4831, Varget, or Winchester 760 but there is none anywhere. However, would trimming the cases longer and then seating the bullets farther out make a difference?
Minihuntur:)

[gumpokc]

I havent done much reloading in last couple of years, since i need to build a new bench, but I always had good performance fro the follwing: IMR 3031, AA 2015,AA 2495, and AA 4064.

I usually kept to the 70-75 grain bullets though with the .243
Had really good results with the old Hornady 70gr SXSP, but they arent made anymore.
Also had very good results with the Sierra TNT bullets, and Nosler ballistic tips.

[bigbrother]

You may see better results with heavier bullets dependant upon the rate of twist of your barrel. I know that in my Rem700 bullets less than 70 grains would not group well consistently. I would get a group or 2 in the .5 range with 60g Sierra's but they didn't group that well all of the time. When I went to the 75g Btip, they shot .4 to .6 all of the time. That barrel shot well with any bullet in the 87 to 100 g range but was really finiky with light bullets. Of course they're all different. I know that I never felt shorted with a 75g btip on ghogs to 400 yds or so. And actually I had a lot better kill ratio with them over the 60g. Just my 2cents.

[muskrat30]

I like the Seirra 85 grn HPBT as a 'varmint' bullet in the 243. Yes it usually goes through but the hole is on the small side.

[GP]

Listen to the Big Brother.

[Evan03]

i wouldnt run the 55gr bullet in the 243.
id be looking towards the 70-90gr bullets. maybe even get into the berger vlds and load some rds that fly like theyre on rails.

if i had 243 the first bullet i would load would be the 95gr vld. it needs 1/9 twist. the 243 has either the 1/9 or 1/10. both twist though should produce acurate loads inside an inch at 100yds.
but to give load info on your rifle is impossible. every rifle is difrent. difrent seating deapth, powder charge, primer cases. each one likes it difrent.

with the 95gr bullet i would lean towards slower powders for the 243. imr 4350 4831 h 4831 maybe even rl19 i did not look in a book to sujest these powders just oing off the top of my head.

imr 4007super short cut might also be worth trying.

just sujestions youl never know till you start trying. whatever bullet you decide on find the most acurate load you can through research and try that first. most reloading books list the most acurate load tested for every bullet they show info for