.243 Win handloaders, what to try first?

boltgun71 · June 10, 2007, 07:37 PM

I only want to experiment with one bullet for the moment. I have 70gr Sierra BltzKings and 85gr HPBT Sierra GameKings. What do you suggest I should start with first. I have a Remington 700 BDL Varmint Special and intend to use it for woodchucks and target shooting. From what I have read IMR-4350 seems to be the #1 powder to start with, do you agree? I have IMR 4350, 4895, 4064, 4198, 4320, and 7828 on hand. Anyone have a load to recommend for one of the above bulllets with any of these powders? My new Winchester cases are re-sized, trimmed, tumbled, and primed just waiting for powder and a bullet. What should I try first?

257roberts · June 10, 2007, 07:52 PM

I use 46.5 grains of IMR 4350 under the 70 grain blitzking in my LSS BDL, be sure to seat bullet out to the rifling. Mine shoots very well. This load is a compressed load in Federal cases, and I have found will almost always shoot better than a non-compressed load IMO. You may also want to try the H380 powder. I have a 55 grain bullet compressed load that uses it and will go 4000 FPS.

crowbeaner · June 10, 2007, 09:02 PM

Right now I'm loading 37.0 of IMR 4895 over the 85 gr. Sierra BTHP with a RP lr primer. That is max. so work up. My son's M788 will shamrock them at 100 yds. I'm going to try 4320 in the near future, but he's pretty happy the way things are. Gets that from his mother I guess.

dodge · June 16, 2007, 05:30 AM

I use 38 grs of 4064 behind the 85 gr HPBT in Federal brass with CCI 200 out of my Savage.

stinger · June 16, 2007, 11:05 AM

85gr HPBT Sierra GameKings - if your rifle won't shoot these well, then your rifle just won't shoot.

I'm also in agreement with Dodge over the powder. IMR4064 is great. 37g's is my magic load, and it is relatively on the low side. I'd suggest starting around there and working up slowly.

My primers always show pressure signs with 4350 (CCI's) and even though the only sign, it makes me a bit nervous. But I think it is worth experimenting in your loads as well, it is kinda the classic .243 powder.

T-Mac · June 16, 2007, 11:36 AM

I like Berger 68Gr. Match, pushed w/4350.

jstoots · June 16, 2007, 09:53 PM

My Rem. 700 ADL likes 4064-41.5 with 70 gr. matchkings. That load may work well with blitzkings if you play with the seating depth a little. They should be explosive on woodchucks!

boltgun71 · June 17, 2007, 06:34 AM

Thanks a-loy guys! This is exactly the info I was looking for. As soon as I get the .243 scoped and load up a few rounds I will post a report for you on how everything works out. Thanks again.

elkman06 · June 19, 2007, 04:25 PM

I'm shooting 1/2in groups at 100yds w/ 100gr anything over 4831sc powder and mag primers.
elkman

YosemiteSam357 · June 19, 2007, 04:53 PM

I've had exceptionally good luck with Nosler 55gr ballistic tips on the low end, and 95gr b tips in the mid-high range. Also good luck with Sierra 70grs. I don't have the exact load data on hand, but I know I had my best luck with IMR 3010.

I love the range of bullets/loads the .243 is capable of! Very underrated caliber, IMO.

-- Sam

Scorch · June 20, 2007, 01:29 PM

My best results were with Hornady 87 gr HPBT with H450 (no longer available). I haven't run out yet, but when I do I wil have to work up a new load.

June 10, 2007, 07:52 PM	#2
257roberts Member Join Date: December 26, 2006 Posts: 41	243 load I use 46.5 grains of IMR 4350 under the 70 grain blitzking in my LSS BDL, be sure to seat bullet out to the rifling. Mine shoots very well. This load is a compressed load in Federal cases, and I have found will almost always shoot better than a non-compressed load IMO. You may also want to try the H380 powder. I have a 55 grain bullet compressed load that uses it and will go 4000 FPS.

June 16, 2007, 09:53 PM	#7
jstoots Junior Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Posts: 10	700 Adl My Rem. 700 ADL likes 4064-41.5 with 70 gr. matchkings. That load may work well with blitzkings if you play with the seating depth a little. They should be explosive on woodchucks!

June 20, 2007, 01:29 PM	#11
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	My best results were with Hornady 87 gr HPBT with H450 (no longer available). I haven't run out yet, but when I do I wil have to work up a new load. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 10, 2007, 07:37 PM	#1
boltgun71 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 547	.243 Win handloaders, what to try first? I only want to experiment with one bullet for the moment. I have 70gr Sierra BltzKings and 85gr HPBT Sierra GameKings. What do you suggest I should start with first. I have a Remington 700 BDL Varmint Special and intend to use it for woodchucks and target shooting. From what I have read IMR-4350 seems to be the #1 powder to start with, do you agree? I have IMR 4350, 4895, 4064, 4198, 4320, and 7828 on hand. Anyone have a load to recommend for one of the above bulllets with any of these powders? My new Winchester cases are re-sized, trimmed, tumbled, and primed just waiting for powder and a bullet. What should I try first?

June 10, 2007, 09:02 PM	#3
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	Right now I'm loading 37.0 of IMR 4895 over the 85 gr. Sierra BTHP with a RP lr primer. That is max. so work up. My son's M788 will shamrock them at 100 yds. I'm going to try 4320 in the near future, but he's pretty happy the way things are. Gets that from his mother I guess.

June 16, 2007, 05:30 AM	#4
dodge Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2001 Location: ridgerunner from Northern PA Posts: 291	I use 38 grs of 4064 behind the 85 gr HPBT in Federal brass with CCI 200 out of my Savage.

June 16, 2007, 11:05 AM	#5
stinger Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Location: west texas Posts: 772	85gr HPBT Sierra GameKings - if your rifle won't shoot these well, then your rifle just won't shoot. I'm also in agreement with Dodge over the powder. IMR4064 is great. 37g's is my magic load, and it is relatively on the low side. I'd suggest starting around there and working up slowly. My primers always show pressure signs with 4350 (CCI's) and even though the only sign, it makes me a bit nervous. But I think it is worth experimenting in your loads as well, it is kinda the classic .243 powder.

June 16, 2007, 11:36 AM	#6
T-Mac Member Join Date: January 18, 2006 Location: Townsend, MT Posts: 99	I like Berger 68Gr. Match, pushed w/4350.

June 17, 2007, 06:34 AM	#8
boltgun71 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 547	Thanks a-loy guys! This is exactly the info I was looking for. As soon as I get the .243 scoped and load up a few rounds I will post a report for you on how everything works out. Thanks again.

June 19, 2007, 04:25 PM	#9
elkman06 Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2006 Location: Wyoming Posts: 885	I'm shooting 1/2in groups at 100yds w/ 100gr anything over 4831sc powder and mag primers. elkman

June 19, 2007, 04:53 PM	#10
YosemiteSam357 Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2002 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 231	I've had exceptionally good luck with Nosler 55gr ballistic tips on the low end, and 95gr b tips in the mid-high range. Also good luck with Sierra 70grs. I don't have the exact load data on hand, but I know I had my best luck with IMR 3010. I love the range of bullets/loads the .243 is capable of! Very underrated caliber, IMO. -- Sam