Thread: .243 load data

There is already a bit of info on here but certainly no harm in getting some more up to date stuff.
Just purchased a .243 and looking to see what loads are giving people optimum velocity.

Currently have 95gr SSTs and going to try the 105gr targex and see if they will stabilise in a 1 in 9".
Powders at hand that will be suitable, 2208, 2213sc, superformance, reloder 17 and reloder 26.

Any info would be much appreciated!

Have not done much load dev on the 243, but starting with RL17 with 95gn NBTs ( if it ever stops raining so I can go shot a ladder) and will try Superformance if I don’t get what I want from RL17. From doing a bit of investigation on threads here and elsewhere these 2 powders are often recommended.

95gr SST use 43gr 2209. Ring the Matakohe man ask if he has got any 95gr Targex. Some are going out tonight sightseeing. Same brew. They are a wicked pill. The SST's do not take prisoners. Lotsa proof they are dead when you skin them out. At night you can see the 95gr Targex like a vapour trail. 2213 sc is also a good alternative for heavier pills in 243. Best.

Originally Posted by TeRei

95gr SST use 43gr 2209. Ring the Matakohe man ask if he has got any 95gr Targex. Some are going out tonight sightseeing. Same brew. They are a wicked pill. The SST's do not take prisoners. Lotsa proof they are dead when you skin them out. At night you can see the 95gr Targex like a vapour trail. 2213 sc is also a good alternative for heavier pills in 243. Best.

@TeRei He's got no jackets to make any at the mo, I hit him up last week. Dammit!

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

@TeRei He's got no jackets to make any at the mo, I hit him up last week. Dammit!

1am. Stag @ 410m. Phil Collins musta been involved... no jacket required.[LoL]. Running out of the Sako 75 and DPT 2 can. No noise. My son looked at me over the bipod grinning. Nice fatty. Matakohe magic.

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

@TeRei He's got no jackets to make any at the mo, I hit him up last week. Dammit!

1am. Stag @ 410m. Phil Collins musta been involved... no jacket required.[LoL]. Running out of the Sako 75 and DPT 2 can. No noise. My son looked at me over the bipod grinning. Nice fatty. Matakohe magic.

You'll need to do a work up anyway so best bet just look up data from the ADI, Alliant, and Nosler websites.

2208 probably a bit fast burning but 2213sc should be decent. You'll see which is stated to give better speeds just from a quick comparison.

its a 243 /twoforfree/EBRG you dont need to overthink it... just poke a load together and go shoot stuff... dont tell my mighty .270w I said so..but they just work.

I tried 44 grs of Superformance with the 95 SST and got an average velocity of 3165 fps, That is Max in my gun, start lower and work up.

i run RL26 under my 105 & 108gr bullets in my 243 for 3000fps at or just under book max recomended.
i started with win 780 under 105gr but they never shot well for me.
for mid rang 87gr bullets i run H414/W760. this is meant to work well on anything in the 70-95gr range.
Z

Cheers fellas!

I'll definitely be trying the 95gr targex when they get in but for now pickings are quite slim. If the 105gr stabilise they should work alright and it looks like reloder 26 could push them along quite nicely.
Like other calibers .243 seems to be drying up in the projectile choice pretty quickly! Looks like the likes of gunworks have ramped up the price of their few remaining elds etc in .243 as well.
Done a few loads yesterday, 2208 was a bit average, 2213 done reasonably well.
Tipped over a few deer, those SSTs sure whack them pretty hard!

I've shot quite a few fallow with my 243 now and it's very quickly growing on me after only a short period of ownership. 85gr Barnes TSX does the business, 44.7gn superformance gives over 3200fps in 18.5" barrel.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

I've shot quite a few fallow with my 243 now and it's very quickly growing on me after only a short period of ownership. 85gr Barnes TSX does the business, 44.7gn superformance gives over 3200fps in 18.5" barrel.

yip Ive always thought the EBRG was just about made for a barnes projectile,they could go much lighter n faster too....

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

I've shot quite a few fallow with my 243 now and it's very quickly growing on me after only a short period of ownership. 85gr Barnes TSX does the business, 44.7gn superformance gives over 3200fps in 18.5" barrel.

Am curious, point of aim and distance, speed of kill?

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

Am curious, point of aim and distance, speed of kill?

I've had two go about 20yds while their chest cavity drained out but dead right there on several others. I always aim at the rear of the shoulder at what I would describe as the crease. Haven't recovered a projectile yet. Usually tiny little entry wound and about 1" exit wound, great energy transfer in the vitals on its way through but not a massive amount of bloodshot meat etc on the off side as is often the case with larger calibres or softer bullets. I've shot one in the neck at the shoulder/neck junction and it also just dropped on the spot. It's such a soft shooting calibre it's easy to take confident shots with it. Longest shot to date 290yds and closest about 60yds and performance was very much the same across the range.