.243 load recommendations

[Redmt]

I'm loading for a buddies .243 Winchester model 100 semi auto. It has a 1:10 twist barrel. I need to use a copper bullet. I was looking through the Barnes load data and it looks like there's a few recipes for the 85,gr that look pretty interesting. The problem is I don't have any of the recommended powders. Does anyone have a favorite go to load for copper 85 gr bullets?

 

[Jbotto]

IMR4064 with the Barnes 85gr TSX has been my go-to load for almost ten years now.

 

[mtmuley]

I like the 80 grain Hammer Hunter. Nosler data lines up well and there is data on their site. mtmuley

 

[Redmt]

I like the 80 grain Hammer Hunter. Nosler data lines up well and there is data on their site. mtmuley

Hammer Hunter requires a faster twist rate. 9.25:1 minimum.

 

[mtmuley]

Hammer Hunter requires a faster twist rate. 9.25:1 minimum.

My Ruger 77 is 1:10. No issues. mtmuley

 

[Redmt]

My Ruger 77 is 1:10. No issues. mtmuley

I'll bet your Ruger 77 is in better condition than the model 100. It's a 65 year old rifle with hundreds of not thousands of rounds through it. I'm sure your rifling is in much better condition.

 

[mevertsen]

I'm loading for a buddies .243 Winchester model 100 semi auto. It has a 1:10 twist barrel. I need to use a copper bullet. I was looking through the Barnes load data and it looks like there's a few recipes for the 85,gr that look pretty interesting. The problem is I don't have any of the recommended powders. Does anyone have a favorite go to load for copper 85 gr bullets?

70 grain Hammer is deadly too. Anything in the 4350 powder range will get you where you need to be.

 

[mtmuley]

I'll bet your Ruger 77 is in better condition than the model 100. It's a 65 year old rifle with hundreds of not thousands of rounds through it. I'm sure your rifling is in much better condition.

75 HHT would work. Some guys find Hammers shoot well in well used rifles. Accuracy at longer ranges doesn't sound like a concern so I'd just pick a bullet and go. mtmuley

 

[slatebuilder]

.

 

[Redmt]

He decided to pick up a box of Federal 85gr. TSX. We'll see if the rifle likes them acceptably well. That will at least narrow down the bullet weight to start with.

 

[Bux_N_Beards]

Have had luck essentially duplicating the Barnes Vor-Tx factory 80gr TTSX load using Ramshot Hunter.

 

[brendog84cj8]

Late to the game. Have a Browning micro midas in .243 that my son shoots and I have had great success with Rl-17 using both Barnes ttsx and Nosler Accubonds.

 

[BRI]

Currently redeveloping a load for my savage axis 2 with 1 in 9.25 twist. Current load is with100 grain hornady BTSP with 39.7 grains RL17 but out of powder and only 19 rounds left. I've done ladder test with N150, RL16, IMR4350, RL23, H4831sc. Interesting thing I'm seeing with this gun is the pressure quicker than expected and speeds higher than expected. I've had to start the ladder about 2 grains below most published load data and hit pressure well before published max. Good example of how guns can be different and start low. All powders seem to shoot decent enough for the application I'm planning to use the gun for. RL16 at 38.3grains yields 2950 fps has been the best of all.