Advice on reloading for 243 browning xbolt

883Iron · March 2, 2012, 03:07 PM

Hey everyone. First post on here im new to reloading and am going to be reloading for my wifes rifle which is a 243 browning xbolt i just purchased and i really have no idea what would be a good round to put together for it would be.
My goal is to put together the most accurate round to shoot out to around 700 yards.

I also reload for my 3036 1903 Springfield and am loading
winchester primers
IMR 4350 powder
168g hornady amax
that seems to work but any advice on this subject would be greatly appriciated.
Thanks in advance for any help

Wyoredman · March 2, 2012, 03:15 PM

IMR 4350 works well in my .243 with 100gr. sierra gamekings.

FrankenMauser · March 2, 2012, 03:19 PM

X-Bolts should have a 1:10" twist barrel, so you should be able to stabilize 105-107 gr bullets, if needed.

What necessitates the 700 yard goal? Hunting? Competition?

kraigwy · March 2, 2012, 03:45 PM

With a 1:10 I wouldn't use 105-107 grn bullets at 700 yards.

I'm working on a project now practicing for the SH Sniper Challenge using the 243. Mine is a Winchester action with a 1:10 barrel.

I found the Hornady 100 grn BTSP (BC .405) or Sierra 95 Grn MK (BC .480) are your best bet, keeping them about 2900 (saves barrel life) are the best bet for a 1:10).

If you're talking about long range hunting I'd recommend the Hornady, if you're only talking about long range target shooting, then the 95 gr SMKs would be my choice.

Depends on the altitude, I'm at 4500 ft, so I would need a faster twist, Still its been my experience 100 grns are about the max for 1:10 twist barrels.

joe45c · March 2, 2012, 04:08 PM

your wifes goal is to shoot 700 yds? Man thats my kind of women. I wish mine would just shoot. I can't help with the load, my browning a-bolt is chambered in 7mm-08.

AllenJ · March 2, 2012, 05:22 PM

I'm currently using IMR4350 in my 243 and getting excellent accuracy with 80 grain Barnes bullets. If long range shooting was my goal I would look at a heavier bullet though.

David Bachelder · March 2, 2012, 05:54 PM

I tried both IMR4350 and Varget; Varget gave me the best results. .75" groups at 100 yards. I can't imagine shooting 700 yards. The target would need to be big as a barn for me to do any good.

Remington 788 bolt 243
Hornady 95 gr SST, 35 grains Varget, WLR primer

hooligan1 · March 2, 2012, 06:23 PM

I'm working on some 95 grn Ballistic Tips with the IMR4350 also, good luck hope this helps!

883Iron · March 2, 2012, 10:23 PM

Thanks all for the advice I think i have a good idea to start now... Will post results when we start shooting thanks allot.

883Iron · March 2, 2012, 10:45 PM

The sevenhundred yards just what id like her to hit out to and be able to hunt with. Thanks for al the advice i will update with what i come up with. I shoot hornaday out my 06 so will probably be starting with 100g amax with IMR 4350 pushing it.

Zach W. · March 2, 2012, 11:32 PM

A good place to start with rifles is universal.

Pick a powder that mostly fills the case or is slightly compressed that gives good velocity.

Get the bullet close to the rifling.

Be anal about case prep and sorting.

Make concentric ammo.

Push the shoulders back only .002" past firformed dimensions.

243winxb · March 3, 2012, 11:43 AM

CAUTION: USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. I do not assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. 243 win. Loads- Target- 90gr Berger HPBT- IMR 4831-45,0gr- CCI-Br2 primer- COL 2.770" Win brass- 5 shot groups @ 300 yds- .894"- .948"- 2.431"- 1.763" For Hunting- 85gr Sierra HPBT #1530- IMR 4350 or H4350-42.0gr COL 2.640" CCI-Br2 primer- Win or Rem brass. The target load gets full benchrest brass prep, with outside neck turning. Rifle used Rem 40X single shot, 36 power scope. The Sierra hunting load will group into 1" @ 100 yds or better in most any 243win that i have shot it in.

Tom68 · March 3, 2012, 12:52 PM

I also have a .243 Win X-Bolt that was among my first projects when I began reloading. I never was successful in producing anything that came near 1", then moved on to other projects/cartridges. I was new to reloading, and never tried any premium factory ammo to compare, so it's evident that I was going about it all wrong.

I've since revised my practices, and after I finish up on some current projects (a new .308 and two new-to-me mil-surp .30/06), I'm going to pick it up again and give it another go. I'll flag this thread to provide some new starting points. thanks guys!

March 2, 2012, 03:15 PM	#2
Wyoredman Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,358	IMR 4350 works well in my .243 with 100gr. sierra gamekings. __________________ Go Pokes! Go Rams!

March 2, 2012, 03:19 PM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,474	X-Bolts should have a 1:10" twist barrel, so you should be able to stabilize 105-107 gr bullets, if needed. What necessitates the 700 yard goal? Hunting? Competition? __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

March 2, 2012, 05:54 PM	#7
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 637	I tried both IMR4350 and Varget; Varget gave me the best results. .75" groups at 100 yards. I can't imagine shooting 700 yards. The target would need to be big as a barn for me to do any good. Remington 788 bolt 243 Hornady 95 gr SST, 35 grains Varget, WLR primer __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, 38 and 40 S&W, 38 Special, 357Magnum, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 223, 300 AAC, 243 and 30-06

March 2, 2012, 06:23 PM	#8
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,595	I'm working on some 95 grn Ballistic Tips with the IMR4350 also, good luck hope this helps! __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

March 2, 2012, 10:23 PM	#9
883Iron Junior Member Join Date: February 20, 2012 Location: Virginia...way to close to dc for me Posts: 3	thanks all Thanks all for the advice I think i have a good idea to start now... Will post results when we start shooting thanks allot.

March 2, 2012, 03:07 PM	#1
883Iron Junior Member Join Date: February 20, 2012 Location: Virginia...way to close to dc for me Posts: 3	Advice on reloading for 243 browning xbolt Hey everyone. First post on here im new to reloading and am going to be reloading for my wifes rifle which is a 243 browning xbolt i just purchased and i really have no idea what would be a good round to put together for it would be. My goal is to put together the most accurate round to shoot out to around 700 yards. I also reload for my 3036 1903 Springfield and am loading winchester primers IMR 4350 powder 168g hornady amax that seems to work but any advice on this subject would be greatly appriciated. Thanks in advance for any help

March 2, 2012, 03:45 PM	#4
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	With a 1:10 I wouldn't use 105-107 grn bullets at 700 yards. I'm working on a project now practicing for the SH Sniper Challenge using the 243. Mine is a Winchester action with a 1:10 barrel. I found the Hornady 100 grn BTSP (BC .405) or Sierra 95 Grn MK (BC .480) are your best bet, keeping them about 2900 (saves barrel life) are the best bet for a 1:10). If you're talking about long range hunting I'd recommend the Hornady, if you're only talking about long range target shooting, then the 95 gr SMKs would be my choice. Depends on the altitude, I'm at 4500 ft, so I would need a faster twist, Still its been my experience 100 grns are about the max for 1:10 twist barrels.

March 2, 2012, 04:08 PM	#5
joe45c Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2012 Location: peru ny Posts: 218	your wifes goal is to shoot 700 yds? Man thats my kind of women. I wish mine would just shoot. I can't help with the load, my browning a-bolt is chambered in 7mm-08.

March 2, 2012, 05:22 PM	#6
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	I'm currently using IMR4350 in my 243 and getting excellent accuracy with 80 grain Barnes bullets. If long range shooting was my goal I would look at a heavier bullet though.

March 2, 2012, 10:45 PM	#10
883Iron Junior Member Join Date: February 20, 2012 Location: Virginia...way to close to dc for me Posts: 3	thank all The sevenhundred yards just what id like her to hit out to and be able to hunt with. Thanks for al the advice i will update with what i come up with. I shoot hornaday out my 06 so will probably be starting with 100g amax with IMR 4350 pushing it.

March 2, 2012, 11:32 PM	#11
Zach W. Member Join Date: March 4, 2010 Posts: 72	A good place to start with rifles is universal. Pick a powder that mostly fills the case or is slightly compressed that gives good velocity. Get the bullet close to the rifling. Be anal about case prep and sorting. Make concentric ammo. Push the shoulders back only .002" past firformed dimensions.

March 3, 2012, 11:43 AM	#12
243winxb Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2011 Location: USA Posts: 1,730	243 Winchester CAUTION: USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. I do not assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. 243 win. Loads- Target- 90gr Berger HPBT- IMR 4831-45,0gr- CCI-Br2 primer- COL 2.770" Win brass- 5 shot groups @ 300 yds- .894"- .948"- 2.431"- 1.763" For Hunting- 85gr Sierra HPBT #1530- IMR 4350 or H4350-42.0gr COL 2.640" CCI-Br2 primer- Win or Rem brass. The target load gets full benchrest brass prep, with outside neck turning. Rifle used Rem 40X single shot, 36 power scope. The Sierra hunting load will group into 1" @ 100 yds or better in most any 243win that i have shot it in. Last edited by 243winxb; March 3, 2012 at 11:49 AM.

March 3, 2012, 12:52 PM	#13
Tom68 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 349	I also have a .243 Win X-Bolt that was among my first projects when I began reloading. I never was successful in producing anything that came near 1", then moved on to other projects/cartridges. I was new to reloading, and never tried any premium factory ammo to compare, so it's evident that I was going about it all wrong. I've since revised my practices, and after I finish up on some current projects (a new .308 and two new-to-me mil-surp .30/06), I'm going to pick it up again and give it another go. I'll flag this thread to provide some new starting points. thanks guys!