.243 WIN. Reloading Question

[jlm223]

I have acquired a Winchester Model 70 chambered in .243, I would like to reload for this rifle, after the Google search the standard factory twist rate for this year is 1 in 10 does that sound right ? Question what would be a good bullet for this and what grain. Thanks

 

[42769vette]

1-10 is probably corrrect and is probably most popular in the 243. a 1-10 will not staliboize the extreamly heavey bullets like the 115gr but will do good in the 80ish grain range. what are you wanting the bullets to do.

 

[billybob44]

I have acquired a Winchester Model 70 chambered in .243, I would like to reload for this rifle, after the Google search the standard factory twist rate for this year is 1 in 10 does that sound right ? Question what would be a good bullet for this and what grain. Thanks

jlm, I do not load the .243 Win. I do load the 6MM Rem. Same diameter bullets, longer, smaller diameter case.
For my loads these are the weights I use in my 6MM:
Target/Bench=75gr. (Nosler BT/Hornady V-Max.)
Varmint=70gr.Speer TNT/75gr. Hornady V-Max.
Deer=85gr. Hornady V-Max./Hornady 100gr. SP
I like IMR-4064 powder best in my 70-85gr. loads.
Most 70-75gr. loads are up to 3300fps.
As said before, this is NOT a .243 Win., but similar caliber
Bill....

 

[Aszerigan]

I just loaded 100 rounds of .243 WIN - they're for sale in the classifieds. Brass is in great condition, if you'd like to test the rifle, and reload the casings. 85gn bullet, 35.0gns of H4895. Holler if I can help.

 

[kludge]

1:10" should work with bullets up to 100gr.

 

[jlm223]

Thanks for the info, just looking for accuracy, varmint load, was not sure about twist rate and bullet to use, I was thinking about 100 Grain Hornady V-max bullet, but now I am going to start with 75 Grain, I have Varget on hand but may try different powder. Thanks again.

 

[billybob44]

Thanks for the info, just looking for accuracy, varmint load, was not sure about twist rate and bullet to use, I was thinking about 100 Grain Hornady V-max bullet, but now I am going to start with 75 Grain, I have Varget on hand but may try different powder. Thanks again.

Don't sell Varget short on your .243Win. loads. It will do just fine also. I also had good accuracy+explosive results with the Sierra 70gr. BlitzKing bullets..They would change a Coyote or groundhog attitude quickly...Bill..

 

[1946]

+1 for Varget in this camp too. I've loaded the Sierra 70gr. BlitzKings pushing 4,000fps.
I won't shoot too many as I'm guessing it would burn the barrel out pretty quick.
Punched a Coyote at about 110 yds. with one. The entrance wound was just a quarter inch red dot. But that was on the muscle that was exposed. The fur and skin was completely gone in a round one inch circle around the entry point. It was as if someone had taken a scalpel and trimmed the skin and fur cleanly away.

 

[42769vette]

i used h414 when i loaded for 243. the accuracy was great with 80gr pills but the tempature sensitivity left alot to be desired. id look at varget or even h4350 if you go with heavy pills but probably varget

 

[Yeah]

I've loaded the Sierra 70gr. BlitzKings pushing 4,000fps.

Out of a 243 Winchester? Post the specifics, if you don't mind.

As for what twist you might have, just measure it by running a patch through. 1:10 will handle most all hunting bullets up to 120 grains or so, but some of the VLDs will be too long.

 

[billybob44]

Out of a 243 Winchester? Post the specifics, if you don't mind.

As for what twist you might have, just measure it by running a patch through. 1:10 will handle most all hunting bullets up to 120 grains or so, but some of the VLDs will be too long.

4000fps. out of a .243 Win.?? I sure do NOT want any of his 1 fired brass..
That's a fast speed for my 22-250Rem. with a 52gr. pill??
I think for what the OP has posted, his best weights would be in the 70-80gr. range, for target/varmint use.

 

[42769vette]

i think it must be a typo 4000 should be 3000

 

[1946]

My bad...sort of........... powder is Varget, bullet is Nosler 55 gr. Ballistic Tip. Federal match primers.
Max 45.5 gr. Velocity: 3934fps

H380 powder:
Same bullet as above;
Min: 49 gr. Velocity 3783fps
Max: 53 gr. Velocity 4069fps
I used the Varget max. load at 3934 fps to take the coyote. If you noticed, I said "pushing 4000fps in my original post.
The above information is in the box of Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets.
My brass is perfectly normal and has been reloaded a couple of times since, just not that hot. Primer was flat but no sign of over pressure.

 

[daclamdvm]

I don't have my 243 any more and often regret it. I loaded 70 gr bullets for target and varmint shooting and 100 gr Nosler Partitions for deer hunting. It shot both very well. I used IMR 4064, but would probably try a ball powder if I were to do it again. The 4064 could stack up in the neck. Very forgiving round.

 

[Mr.Lubie]

I just loaded 50 .243 win bullets tonight using Hornady 100grain interlock BTSP bullets and your run of the mill Winchester brass and large rifle primers.Using 40 grains of IMR 4831 powder and couldn't be happier with them.Loaded a few with 44 grains of powder for deer hunting.

 

[parson]

I've owned and loaded for a Savage .243 for over 20 years. Gun shoots MOA with 100 grain bullets. I've tried several powders, but always come back to IMR 4350. I've always used data from Sierra manuals and have never been disappointed with it.

By the way, it's a 1:10 twist.

 

[yotebutcher90]

speer 6mm 75 jhp, it'll tear yotes up

 

[jsn_mooney]

I had better luck with the 75gr V-Max bullets as opposed to the 58 grainers/ over RL-15. Worked really well on coyotes.

 

[slow1911s]

.243 Win + .243 AI Cartridge Guide

 

[Krumm09010]

+1 for Varget in this camp too. I've loaded the Sierra 70gr. BlitzKings pushing 4,000fps.
I won't shoot too many as I'm guessing it would burn the barrel out pretty quick.
Punched a Coyote at about 110 yds. with one. The entrance wound was just a quarter inch red dot. But that was on the muscle that was exposed. The fur and skin was completely gone in a round one inch circle around the entry point. It was as if someone had taken a scalpel and trimmed the skin and fur cleanly away.

well im not sure how you got a 70 grain bullet going 4000 fps with a 243. I loaded some 62 grain varmint grenades and chronographed them at 3600 fps. The casing was pretty full and if i really pushed it i could get them at 3650 but thats about all.