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Old June 22, 2009, 10:08 PM   #1
johnf
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ultra light 20" 243 load

I've got an nef superlight youth 243 that I'm having a booger of a time finding a good load for. I've got IMR 7828, and 4350, RL22, and Varget. I've done the 7828 but not the others yet. Any suggestions on which one might be my best bet?
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Old June 22, 2009, 10:12 PM   #2
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Welcome to the forum.

Depends on the bullet weight. Heavier bullets work better with slower powders than light ones do. What are you trying to shoot?

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Old June 22, 2009, 10:37 PM   #3
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Also check your barrel's twist. If unknown, it can be checked with a cleaning rod and bronze brush. Most .243s are made with a 1:10 twist, some have a slightly slower 1:12 or faster 1:9. Knowing the twist rate will help to determine what bullet weight range will be suitable for your particular rifle.

My Ithica, a Sako import from what I'm told, has a 1:9.25 twist as best I can determine. Thus far, it doesn't like the lighter-weight bullets available in the 6mm design. It does like IMR-4350 and 100gr bullets.
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Old June 23, 2009, 12:17 AM   #4
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Are you trying to keep recoil to a minimum while keeping a useful hunting load? Hodgdon had done a great study on that topic that includes the 243. If that's not your goal, then the world has plenty of different combos that will work on any rifle including yours.
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Old June 23, 2009, 08:38 AM   #5
johnf
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I'm using a 100gr. Hornady btsp. Recoil isn't an issue as I will be shooting the gun. I'm short and prefer the length of pull on youth guns, but have plenty mass to take care of recoil. The primary use of this gun is deer hunting. The barrel is 20" and the rate of twist is 1:9 1/8.
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Old June 23, 2009, 11:16 AM   #6
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With that twist rate, those Hornady 100gr bullets should shoot some tight groups over IMR-4350 if the gun and shooter are capable. I have not tried the other powders.

Reload data is available ffrom Hodgdon's site as well as from most manuals. Follow your standard load development, increasing each lot by 0.5gr until you find a good grouping. Then deviate +/- 0.2 gr from that to see what works best. (Sorry - I don't give out load data anymore as too many people take it for granted without proper development for THEIR weapons. )

I'd also recommend neck sizing only if you have previously shot the brass thru that particular rifle. There are numerous other tips, however they don't come into play until you have found the best powder load for the bullet you intend to shoot.
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Old June 23, 2009, 01:19 PM   #7
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That 4350 thing is funny. I just pulled bullets with 5 different 4350 loads cause they didn't work well in my other 243. I guess I'll give it a try first. Thanks.
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Old June 23, 2009, 01:34 PM   #8
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Good powders for 100 gr bullets the 243 in my experience are IMR 4320, W760, H4831, and H450.

I have never loaded Varget, but it may be a little too fast for that heavy of a bullet.
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Old June 23, 2009, 03:58 PM   #9
James R. Burke
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My wife has the Ruger No 1 A light sporter that I reload for. The bigger bullets like the slower burning powder. I am using RL-22, and Nosler 100 grain partitions for the bullet. Very accurate in her rifle, but might not be the one for you. She shot at her first two deer last season, and got them both. Have some good manuals and start at the min. Good luck! Jim
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Old June 24, 2009, 09:45 AM   #10
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I got to thinking about the whole short barrel thing and looked up a load for 243 pistol and it had only one of my powders, Varget. It gave the same load data for pistol and riffle using Varget and a 100gr. bullet so I loaded some up last night. I'm going to try them when it's not so nasty hot outside. Could be a while.
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Old June 24, 2009, 10:00 AM   #11
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243 loads

I have a 243 rem youth model with a 1-9 twist. The gun was a little picky on what it shot. But here are the loads it likes.

40 grs imr 4350 95gr noslar bt for deer.

43 grs imr 4350 65gr vmax for ground hogs.

Hope this helps.
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Old June 24, 2009, 12:22 PM   #12
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243 Ultra Lite loading

I can not speak for the .243 caliber but...
I have a "first run" Ruger Ultra Lite in .223 Remmington that gave me a 3 1/2 inch group with FACTORY or 26.5 grains of Winchester 748. The twist is 1 in 12 so I used a 55 grain bullet.
It looks like you might need to come down on your load like I did.
I finally got it to shoot:
55 grain bullet---21.5 grains of Win. 748 [Cover the group with a dime.]
60 hrain bullet---25.0 grains of Win. 748 [Cover the group with a dime.]
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Old June 24, 2009, 03:39 PM   #13
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If you have the RL-22 with a 100 grain bullet give it a try. You may be surprized. Let us know how it all comes out.
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Old June 24, 2009, 05:18 PM   #14
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For 100 gr .243 loads I've had better luck with faster powders, i.e. IMR 4895 or IMR 4320.
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Old June 24, 2009, 05:44 PM   #15
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for 100 gr loads i use h414
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Old June 27, 2009, 07:37 AM   #16
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John visit graybeardoutdoors its the most comprehensive site ive found on the handi rifle. Ive read the lite model has been very difficult to turn into an accurate shooter. My son has the model with the bull barrel and while not being a tack driver this load has consistently produced 1 1/2 three shot groups @ 100 yards. CCI magnum 250 primers,42.5 grains of IMR7828, Hornady 100 gr. interlock round nose bullets(we deer hunt mostly and these get it done) 2.660 oal, and load data puts this at around 2800 fps. My old mossberg bolt produces 1/2 groups at 100 with this load. good luck I hope this helps. Steve
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Old June 27, 2009, 11:12 AM   #17
James R. Burke
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I use the H-414 for the Nosler 55 grain b.t. works great. That 7828 would be my next choice after the RL-22, if using a 100 grain bullet.
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