Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles m77 243

i came across an unfired Hawkeye in 243 that i want to set up as a varmint/target gun. Looking for advice. Thanks,Paul

minimum range you will be shooting?

mostly up to 300 yds, i have a 330 yard field at my camp that we shoot groundhogs in

so 0-330 yards.

I'd say fixed 6x with a dial - since the range is close enough that a ballistic plex reticle wouldn't be any use in the flat shooting 243.

The dial will allow you to adjust for target shooting. I don't think you would need the dial for varmints over that range if you zero'd at 200.

good deal, thank you very much. i have just really never fooled with a 243 before. growing up in Pa, and being the baby of my family and the youngest cousin, the natural progression was .22, 30/30, and then whatever you purchased yourself when you were of age. 243 was never in my safe till now, and im 51. what about loads for it? i only shoot what i load, so i have not purchased any powder or bullets yet.

Here are some cool new bullets to try

Lehigh defense

Try around 41.0 grains IMR 4350 with 80-100 grain bullets.

i will give it a look. thanks!

lanenebraska, I could of gone the rest of my life with out the knowledge of Lehigh bullets existence,

SEM

I just got in 300 of the .224 45grain bullets and they were great! You can read my review on the site

Always something new and improved

Lane stuff

.243 load for varmint, 49g H380, 55g bullet will lay em out to 700 yards.
I run a Nikon 4.5-14x40mm, mildot SF scope on my sporter 243 22" rig. Covers everything from 50 yards to 700.
Flat out drop coyotes on the spot.
Easy carry predator rig.

What model of Nikon Scope do you have? I was looking at something similar to that for a 223 sporter.. went on their web site after looking at a few at a local store... and Nikon has a pretty broad product line on scopes.. more than I thought.. that's for sure..

Nikon prostaff 5 # 6743. I get mine from midwayusa mostly.
They dropped the buckmaster line which was the same scope, but part # 6469.

Thanks 5Speed....

was looking at that for one to put on top of a 223, that just happened to come my way....on a rifle thats everything my Ruger Predator should have been but isn't...

55 gr Nosler Varmegdeon hp and either IMR8208xbr and Varget make for messy varmints and at 330 yds. you could hold pretty much dead on across the field....