Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 243 Winchester

The last time I shot a 243 was 12 yrs ago I didn’t have the rifle long it was a stainless ruger 77 with boat paddle stock. I didn’t even reload for it. Prior to that I had a savage 99 and 110 in a 243 when I was 11-12yrs old. My dad did all the reloading for them. Well I picked up a Winchester in a 243 so I bought some bullets 100gr partitions, 95gr partitions and 100gr hornady btsp. Going to give staBALL 6.5 a try in it. I recently started loading for my 25-06 again I haven’t had/shot one since I was 18. Anyhow if it’s nice tomorrow will go shoot them.

I also started out with a 243 win. It was a Rem. 788 wish I still had it. The 243 I have now has not been shot in years.
To many other rifles not enough time. 243 win is a great round if used for it's intended purpose.

Are you chronographing your loads? I’m interested in the accuracy and velocity with 100g bullets and StaBall.

I’m interested in this as well. Let us know how it performs. I’ve got two .243’s at the moment.

I dont have or use StaBall but my 243 shoots 100 grain partitions really good with 42 grains of IMR4350.

Well 42.0gr staBALL and 100gr hornady btsp avg velocity was 2789 not very good and accuracy was abysmal. Now same load with a 100gr partition shot a lot better but the barely 2800 is not for me. I tried same load with 95gr partitions it was nothing to write home about. I’m going to use the more traditional powders in the 243 the 4350’s

I have talked to three people, two said they could not get StaBall to shoot accurately in various cartridges. The third said he had one load out of several loads in two different rifles that worked well.

Staball has become my favorite 6.5 Creedmoor powder. I've yet to try it in anything else. I may have to load some 243's up with some and see what it does for me.

That sounds pretty slow. Have you tried nudging up the charges a bit and seeing what happens? I am using it in my 6 CM with 105 HPBT's and its getting book'ish speeds with just a little more than what Hodgdon has on their site. Not saying you need to firewall it, but it should easily eclipse 3K with a 95-100 grain bullet in a 243. I have a Ruger Hawkeye 243 I haven't used in quite awhile. Maybe if I get a chance I'll load some up with Staball to compare. I like the stuff, it works great in my 30-06 and 6 CM so far.

My current powder choice for my .243 with 95 gr ballistic tips is RL16. Alliant data worked for me. Chrono'd over 3000 fps from 22" barrel.

I have brass prepped will up the the charge and see what speeds I get . Also going to seat bullet out further this rifle has a lot of freebore.

If I get a chance I'll load some up and try it out as well. I have some Lapua brass I got just for that rifle and 100 grain Partitions and 95 BT's. Be interesting to see what I get. Might be a good after work project for me.

This is what I got this evening John. Please don’t flame me but I used the same 6 cases over and over through finding a spot and then for shooting a few groups. Pockets remained tight, easy bolt lift, etc.

I used a Ruger 243 Hawkeye, WW cases, CCI200’s and Staball under 95 grain Ballistic Tips.









3200’ish is where I topped out at. Seeing as they all seemed good I decided to try them on paper.





Nothing special but this gun was brand new before I started shooting it for speeds. Pulled it out of the box and through a Burris 3x9 FFII on it to shoot a few groups.



Here is what Hodgdon shows, 3171 for a Partition at 58k PSI, I’m no Ballistician so I’m sure I’m probably in the 63-65k range but I kinda went off the feeling if my 6 CM will do 3150 with the same powder and a 105 I can’t be too darned different with the 243 and a 95. Just my results. Figured I’d post it up.

I loaded 10 up with 42.6gr staBALL shooting 100gr hornady’s And I got 2813 fps for my avg. groups were okay, but nothing I be happy with. I tried imr 4350 42.0grs with 95gr partitions I was getting 2880. Groups are still not great, I loaded them .010 off the lands.

Start adding the powder to that 95 grain load. It will speed up and I bet groups shrink.

Another option is to run the first stage of a Satterlee ladder. Not only will it indicate how much velocity you can reach (so long as you are aware and monitor pressure signs), but it will also tell you where the node is. It is entirely possible to have a node 'under' your preferred velocity. Let the rifle speak its mind.

Beretz replied with what looks like a Satterlee ladder. My interpretation of that data puts his node somewhere between 45 and 46 grains, but, it is entirely possible that its just his style of recording load data.

Yes, I bastardized his process and try to cheat some with 1/2 grain increments. If I want to really refine it I'll go back with 2/10 charges to get in the spot. Usually 1/2 grain increments works fine with 308'ish sized cases and larger.

It looks like 42-43 is another node around the mid 2900's as well. Hard to believe you're over a 100 FPS less at 42.6 than I am.

On another note, I was perusing the H data online and saw they were nailing down 3400-3500 (243 and 6 CM) with the 80 grain mono's.. That right there would be a zippy deer killer I'd bet.

I’m using the magnetospeed V3 chronograph. I shoot 5 for velocity pull it of and shoot 5 for groups. With this featherweight barrel I might just stick with the how dare you 3 shot groups. But it’s pretty cool
Up here low 40’s, so hot barrel shouldn’t be a big factor. Well my next off week I mess with it more.

I use the MS Sporter myself. Love it. Once I find a few nodes I shoot for groups and usually 3 shots, but I’ll double up and shoot 2 - 3 shot groups. I don’t claim to be good but good enough for my grid square.

The nice thing is 10-15 rounds with the MS on the gun is all I have to deal with. I don’t put it back in till I check for a finished loads average which is usually just a verification since I did the ladder but seating depth changes will change average speed a bit.

Is anyone using IMR 4451 in .243? i have been shooting 95 gr. LRX and 41.5 gr. of IMR 4451 at 3075 fps, it kills the hell out of pigs and coyotes, have only shot 1 deer with it dropped where he stood. i am planning to use this load to cull does in November Rio7