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I have purchased a 243 browning abolt for my nephew which will be 13 first of next month. He’s plenty big enough to handle a full house load and was wanting opinions on bullet and loads.
I have shot 95gr nbt out of another rifle through the years with good success but that’s the only bullet I’ve ever tried.
I would like to get as high of velocity as possible with what ever bullet we decide to go with.
Any pet loads out there?
Side note, I was thinking about the 85gr Sierra but read in another post many mixed results.
Thanks for any information

Here is a link with plenty of options.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3524925/1

I use the 95 grain Ballistic Tip or the 100 grain Hornady SP with H4350.

The 87 grain VLD, 85 grain Sierra bthp loads from HSM all shoot great out of my x-bolt and my BAR .243. That 87 VLD flattens deer.

80ttsx and 45.5 of 4350

You might want to look at Hodgdons online data with the Staball 6.5 powder. I’m using this powder with a 85grn TSX out of my pre 64 standard and it’s very accurate and am getting 3325 FPS avg. measured. RP brass with cci200 primers.
I’m loading 1.0 grn under max....

100gr Corelokts or Hornady flat base, 41gr of H4350, and a standard magnum primer.

The 95 gr Nbt or Npt work up to max 7828 shoots good in all my 243's. The 100 gr Hornady sp was my goto bullet in all things 6mm but the bean counters at Hornady discontinued it for SST crap. MB
Ps that is a mighty fine gift and the kind of mentoring that flat counts in my book.

95nbt

Imr4350 or h4350. Work up to max


Kill stuff. Always worked for me

For those of you who have shoot the 95nbt what max velocity was y’all able to get with imr 4350?
The last I used was in a BAR and I wasn’t maxing it out?

Yes sir he’s a great kid.
Around home if you have a browning and a leupold you’ve got the real deal. ( not saying vx3i is my favorite) but he’ll be set

I use Layne Simpson’s “pet load” of 42.0 grains of H414/W760 behind the 95 NBT.

IMR4350 also works great.

37.0 of Varget with an 87grn Vmax. Shoots ragged holes in a 1978 Ruger M77 Varminter. Work up to this load.

That one is great for me too.

I’ve got plenty varget and imr 4350 so I’ll try both and see what works better

41.5 of imr4350 is very accurate in mine. Velocity is 2950ish.

42.g Imr4350 2875 chronographed out of a 18” barrel

4350 and a Partition. I hunted for many years with a .243 and a few different bullets. I found the 85gr. Sierra HPBT to be accurate, but a bit "tender" for close shots. 100 gr. Sierra Gamekings worked well. My favorite was the 100 gr. Partition. Great expansion and penetration. Never tried any of the newer mono-metal bullets.

85 grain Sierra Varminter soft point with a tank full of IMR-4350 is my favorite.

95 grain Nosler Partition with a tank full of IMR-4350.

100 grain Sierra Gameking or Prohunter with same powder as above.

I have used all of the above bullets in a 243 and 6mm and have used all of these at ranges of 20 yards or so on out to 350sh with the Sierras.

Can also use IMR-4064, H414/W760 or even IMR-4831 with the 95/100 grain stuff.

Never used monos for deer as I see no need for a sub 250# critter that is very easy to kill.

I haven't used a .243 in years. Back then when I did it was with the 100 gr. Hornady SP and H4350. Brass and primers were Winchester as I recall.
Paul B.

A middle of the road charge of Varget propelling a 95 grain Nosler Partition has put several dozen KY WT's in the freezer around here over the past 20+ years... Never caught a bullet... Never lost a deer...