.243 Pet Loads

ArmySon · August 29, 2000, 10:30 AM

Any of you guys have a pet load for .243? This will be used for deer. I load several rifle calibers but this will my first crack at .243

Thanks!

**Art Eatman** · August 29, 2000, 05:31 PM

Well, if your deer are likely to field dress no more than 120 pounds; if you are a good shot and can watch the distance and pick "the" best place to hit the deer: I use the Sierra 85-grain HPBT bullet.

I think it's my Sierra book which shows the max amount of 4064 as 37.5 grains. (As always, start below this and work up.) I started with this load in 1970, and have never seen any need to change. 3/8" groups are good enough.

FWIW, Art

ArmySon · August 29, 2000, 07:35 PM

Thanks Art!

WalterGAII · August 29, 2000, 11:24 PM

I've got 8# of AA 4064 coming in by UPS tomorrow. I'm not going to be deer hunting, but will be loading lots of 55gr.- 75gr. bullets for varmint hunting.

Best groups so far have been with Hodgdon's 380, but couldn't find 83 on sale anywhere.

BMiracle · August 30, 2000, 11:49 AM

37.6 grs IMR 4320, 95 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, COL 2.70". Will shoot one hole groups in my rifle.

Mel Hoskin · August 31, 2000, 04:03 PM

I load the Hornady 100 gr. BTSP using 42.0 gr of H4350, with Fed 210 primers, COL:2.617". Am getting 3/8" group @ 100 yds with this load in my rifle.(it is a Rem 700 with a Bull Barrel that I mainly use for ground hogs, but have used to for deer). <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ArmySon:
Any of you guys have a pet load for .243? This will be used for deer. I load several rifle calibers but this will my first crack at .243

Thanks![/quote]

------------------

JerryM · August 31, 2000, 08:23 PM

My favorite load in the .243 for deer size game is 45 gr IMR 4350 behind a 100 gr Hornady or Sierra Sp. Today the handbooks don't give this heavy a load. Use your head and work up slowly. Your rifle might not handle it. It chronographs from my Pre 64 FW M 70 at 3150 fps. It is accurate and I get 1 minute groups most of the time. However, I am not an accuracy nut. I prefer to settle on a minimum accuracy requirement for big game of 1.5 min. When I reach that I prefer to have increased velocity for flat trajectory and long range killing power. I wouldn't personally settle for less than an honest 3000 fps in the 6mms. I have read through the years of criticism regarding the killing power of the 6mms on deer size game. The loads used are usually around 2800-2900 for a 100 gr bullet. When you add another 250 fps or so you have a different cartridge. Again I caution to work up loads carefully. You only get one set of eyes, etc. Jerry

labgrade · September 1, 2000, 04:48 PM

Have had excellent results with Hornady's 87 spire point with a suitable amount of IMR 4895 that makes the grade in your rifle. Have used it since about '65 for everything - all varmits through deer. I have been the ony thing left living to tell the tale.

Thinking about going to a ball type powder though that meters much better.

Getting old & sick of weighing out each charge .....

ArmySon · September 1, 2000, 07:11 PM

I loaded up some rounds last night.
85 grain Nosler behind 35 grains 4064 and 100 grain Sierra behind 35 grains 4320. Lets see which bullet my Remington likes the best. Thanks everybody!

labgrade · September 3, 2000, 12:32 AM

Uh, one thing I didn't see mentioned is that when working up a load, you should start at ~10% max & without changing anything else, change your powder weight .5 grains.

May be mistaken, but appears that you're missing the boat by just loading up X grs with one bullet & X grs for another. It should get quite a bit more in depth than that to really squeeze out your rifle's best performance.

Fer instance (& don't take this literally one bit) using an 87 gr bullet, start with three rounds @ ~35 grs IMR 4895, next is three rounds with 35.5 grs, then 36.0 grs, etc. to max (& quite frankly) I'll usually go as much as 2 grains over max. If I start to see pressure signs, I don't shoot the heavier charge & just pull 'em when I get home.

I'd not suggest just loading up one combo, going to the range & settling for whatcha got - the best between the two. That's the whole beauty of working up loads.

ArmySon · September 3, 2000, 07:54 AM

I completely agree BUT, this isn't my bench rifle. I load very slowly for my .308's and .223's but this is just for hunting. If it's close to MOA, I'll be more then happy. Hence my lack of concern for working the load up.

bergie · September 3, 2000, 01:29 PM

JUST FOR HUNTIN!!! ***???

bergie

[This message has been edited by bergie (edited September 03, 2000).]

GWN · September 3, 2000, 10:21 PM

Years ago I used a Win M70 in .243 with a 22" barrel. For deer I used a Nosler 95 Partition in R-P cases, CCI 200, 41.0 IMR 4350 at OAL of 2.770. My records from 91, shooting over an Oehler M33, indicate an instrumental velocity of 2950-2960 fps with groups of about 1.5 MOA. This rifle would shoot .75 MOA with lighter bullets but with 95-100 1.5 MOA was typical. At the time I thought that this load was approaching max in this rifle. I did kill 2 deer with this load(longest shot about 80 yds.) with 1 shot each. I had stopped using this rifle for deer but in 97 I aquired an Oehler M43 and glued a strain gage on it to learn to use this system. I dug up some of the obove loads that had been loaded in the early 90s. At 200 yds I got 3.3" groups at a velocity of 2893 with an ave. peak pressure of 50,400 psi,M43.

August 29, 2000, 10:30 AM	#1
ArmySon Staff Alumnus Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 2,926	Any of you guys have a pet load for .243? This will be used for deer. I load several rifle calibers but this will my first crack at .243 Thanks!

August 29, 2000, 05:31 PM	#2
Art Eatman Staff Lead Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX, USA Posts: 20,929	Well, if your deer are likely to field dress no more than 120 pounds; if you are a good shot and can watch the distance and pick "the" best place to hit the deer: I use the Sierra 85-grain HPBT bullet. I think it's my Sierra book which shows the max amount of 4064 as 37.5 grains. (As always, start below this and work up.) I started with this load in 1970, and have never seen any need to change. 3/8" groups are good enough. FWIW, Art

August 29, 2000, 07:35 PM	#3
ArmySon Staff Alumnus Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 2,926	Thanks Art!

August 29, 2000, 11:24 PM	#4
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	I've got 8# of AA 4064 coming in by UPS tomorrow. I'm not going to be deer hunting, but will be loading lots of 55gr.- 75gr. bullets for varmint hunting. Best groups so far have been with Hodgdon's 380, but couldn't find 83 on sale anywhere.

August 30, 2000, 11:49 AM	#5
BMiracle Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2000 Posts: 159	37.6 grs IMR 4320, 95 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, COL 2.70". Will shoot one hole groups in my rifle.

August 31, 2000, 04:03 PM	#6
Mel Hoskin Member Join Date: April 9, 2000 Posts: 29	I load the Hornady 100 gr. BTSP using 42.0 gr of H4350, with Fed 210 primers, COL:2.617". Am getting 3/8" group @ 100 yds with this load in my rifle.(it is a Rem 700 with a Bull Barrel that I mainly use for ground hogs, but have used to for deer). <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ArmySon: Any of you guys have a pet load for .243? This will be used for deer. I load several rifle calibers but this will my first crack at .243 Thanks![/quote] ------------------

August 31, 2000, 08:23 PM	#7
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,727	My favorite load in the .243 for deer size game is 45 gr IMR 4350 behind a 100 gr Hornady or Sierra Sp. Today the handbooks don't give this heavy a load. Use your head and work up slowly. Your rifle might not handle it. It chronographs from my Pre 64 FW M 70 at 3150 fps. It is accurate and I get 1 minute groups most of the time. However, I am not an accuracy nut. I prefer to settle on a minimum accuracy requirement for big game of 1.5 min. When I reach that I prefer to have increased velocity for flat trajectory and long range killing power. I wouldn't personally settle for less than an honest 3000 fps in the 6mms. I have read through the years of criticism regarding the killing power of the 6mms on deer size game. The loads used are usually around 2800-2900 for a 100 gr bullet. When you add another 250 fps or so you have a different cartridge. Again I caution to work up loads carefully. You only get one set of eyes, etc. Jerry

September 1, 2000, 04:48 PM	#8
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	Have had excellent results with Hornady's 87 spire point with a suitable amount of IMR 4895 that makes the grade in your rifle. Have used it since about '65 for everything - all varmits through deer. I have been the ony thing left living to tell the tale. Thinking about going to a ball type powder though that meters much better. Getting old & sick of weighing out each charge .....

September 1, 2000, 07:11 PM	#9
ArmySon Staff Alumnus Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 2,926	I loaded up some rounds last night. 85 grain Nosler behind 35 grains 4064 and 100 grain Sierra behind 35 grains 4320. Lets see which bullet my Remington likes the best. Thanks everybody!

September 3, 2000, 12:32 AM	#10
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	Uh, one thing I didn't see mentioned is that when working up a load, you should start at ~10% max & without changing anything else, change your powder weight .5 grains. May be mistaken, but appears that you're missing the boat by just loading up X grs with one bullet & X grs for another. It should get quite a bit more in depth than that to really squeeze out your rifle's best performance. Fer instance (& don't take this literally one bit) using an 87 gr bullet, start with three rounds @ ~35 grs IMR 4895, next is three rounds with 35.5 grs, then 36.0 grs, etc. to max (& quite frankly) I'll usually go as much as 2 grains over max. If I start to see pressure signs, I don't shoot the heavier charge & just pull 'em when I get home. I'd not suggest just loading up one combo, going to the range & settling for whatcha got - the best between the two. That's the whole beauty of working up loads.

September 3, 2000, 07:54 AM	#11
ArmySon Staff Alumnus Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 2,926	I completely agree BUT, this isn't my bench rifle. I load very slowly for my .308's and .223's but this is just for hunting. If it's close to MOA, I'll be more then happy. Hence my lack of concern for working the load up.

September 3, 2000, 01:29 PM	#12
bergie Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 1999 Posts: 567	JUST FOR HUNTIN!!! ***??? bergie [This message has been edited by bergie (edited September 03, 2000).]

September 3, 2000, 10:21 PM	#13
GWN Member Join Date: February 23, 2000 Posts: 19	Years ago I used a Win M70 in .243 with a 22" barrel. For deer I used a Nosler 95 Partition in R-P cases, CCI 200, 41.0 IMR 4350 at OAL of 2.770. My records from 91, shooting over an Oehler M33, indicate an instrumental velocity of 2950-2960 fps with groups of about 1.5 MOA. This rifle would shoot .75 MOA with lighter bullets but with 95-100 1.5 MOA was typical. At the time I thought that this load was approaching max in this rifle. I did kill 2 deer with this load(longest shot about 80 yds.) with 1 shot each. I had stopped using this rifle for deer but in 97 I aquired an Oehler M43 and glued a strain gage on it to learn to use this system. I dug up some of the obove loads that had been loaded in the early 90s. At 200 yds I got 3.3" groups at a velocity of 2893 with an ave. peak pressure of 50,400 psi,M43.