Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Help with 243 load

I'm new to reloading 243 so looking on opinions. Gun is new 243 weatherby vangaurd ll (1-10 twist and 24 inch barrel)and I have shot some factory ammo out of it just see how it would do. Shot really good. Will be using on whitetails. Suggest anything you want but i either have or can get what i list.

Bullet 80 gr ttsx, 90 game changers, or 100 gr interlocks.
Powder H4350,H4831
Note: game changer recommended in 1-9 twist or more

Opinions?

My favorite 243 load is a 100 grain Partition over the old style H4831.

The Interlock is a good substitution for the Partition, if that's what you have available.

It's nice if your powder about fills the case. A lot of people think that this tends toward accuracy. The old long cut H4831 just nicely fills the case with a 100 grain bullet.

I think that a lot of people get into trouble with the 243 by driving lighter bullets at speeds that cause cup and core bullets to break up. So a heavier, slower bullet is one answer to the problem. The TTSX probably also solves that problem, if you are inclined toward that solution.

I got nice groups and very similar POIs with 100gr NPTs over 44gr of H4831 and 95gr NBTs with 41.0gr of H4350 in a Howa Alpine. That rifle has gone to some descendants, along with a supply of that ammo. The 4831 was a shot in the dark based on what was on hand, and is 1.5gr under the Hornady data max for their bullets, which uses the same brass and F210 I did. I have very limited Interlock experience, but imagine one in the ribs wouldn’t do a deer much good.

Very nice. Any velocity data on those loads?

I'd recommend going with the 100 gr Hornady Interlocks...

Keep it simple and then you will have a point of reference. The old Interlocks are proved achievers.

4831 or 4350 are pretty interchangeable for both accuracy and velocity.

Slow it down a couple grains from max velocity, which in most instances will be a little more accurate...and also a hair of lower pressure which will be easy on the brass, for longer brass life .

Mine like 41.5grs 4350 with the 95 BT and 45grs 4350 with the 80 ttsx.

I load 100gr Corelokts over 41gr of H4350 and a WLR primer. The Hornady Interlock is a great choice.

I switched over to 105gr bthp's a while back.

But with what you have on the shelf already l, I would be running the interlocks.

I used to load the 100 gr. Hornady Interlock SP, not the boat tail over IMR 5350. Worked up a load that took 4 fairly large Nevada Mule Deer for some of my neighbors kids doing their first deer hunts. I just used that load to shoot coyotes. I can't recall what the load was as when I moved from Nevada to Arizona the moving company lost some stuff including many years worth of reloading notes. I gave the .243 to one of my friend's kid when I left Nevada. All I can remember about the load is it was either at the max in one of my manuals or close to it. The only .243 I have now is a Ruger #1A and it's been more of a safe queen that a shooter.
PJ

Just what the book suggested. Since shots here tend to be under 100 yards, way under usually, I don’t worry about it much (at all). I do like tidy clusters, but don’t obsess over those either. Good bullets with decent accuracy are what I want.

We've been killing deer in S. Miss. for over 20 years with the .243 Win. I do the loading for the family. We've used the Hornady 100gr. SP for most of that time. Typically with 4350 loads. Here is a link to the Hodgdon load data with 4350 and 4831 powders.

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

I've been rolling 95 grain partitions with 42 gr H4350 for years. That's about a max charge so start low and work up.

I’ve used the Nosler 95 and 100 gr Partitions and the 100 Hornady.. Of the ones you have I would use the 100 Hornady and H4350. .

If those 100 gr Hornady bullets are the SP not the BTSP don't waste them they are better than the btsp by far. I USE 7828 myself or H4831 they get more velocity...mb

41 grains 4350 and 100 grain hornady

Barnes 85gr TSX and 36.5gr of IMR4895 has wacked a lot of deer for me and my kids.

I have used 100gr Hornady but use slower powder like RL19 or IMR4350. The first load is just too good in several rifles.

When I got my first 243 I tried 100nosler partitions but my rifle didn’t like them. NExt was the old 100 hornady soft point with flat base. It shoots great over H4831 and that’s all I’ve shot through it since. I guess when I run out of those I’ll try the box of 90 nosler accubonds I picked up.

Myself, my brother, and my dad all hunted for about a dozen years from my Jr high days until I graduated college with a box of 100g Hornady btsp interlocks that I loaded over imr 4831. We took a lot of mule deer over the years with those in our 6mms. I can't recall ever losing a deer. I was poor and cheap back then and just stuck with what worked. I reloaded and the family mooched off me.

Around 2004 or so I noticed Hornady started changing their bullets from lot to lot and moving the interlock and changing jacket thickness. I lost a little faith in my do everything interlocks. Around then I found SPS and got some really good deals on nosler portion 2 nds. They were about the same price as interlocks so I went to partitions for an all around hunting bullet.

The first year I switched I watched my little brother stone a nice buck from about 375 yards with my little model 7 6mm and a 100g partition. It dropped instantly and never moved. Now he requests those.

I just loaded some 85g partitions for a new 700 youth rifle I dropped in an mdt lss with a magpul adjustable stock for my 10 year Olds back up gun. I loaded some lighter h4895 and 8208xbr loads that should only clock around 3000. I'll go see which load it likes hopefully in the morning. I also did some 90g accubonds. I still have a bunch of those 2nd partitions so I'll let the kids burn them up. I shoot 108 eldxs in my 6s these days. At least the ones twisted for them.

Bb

I have maybe three boxes of 85gr overruns IIRC. Been thinking about some .250 Savage-equivalent H4895 loads with those for my 6CM. Oughta be easy on the barrel and tough on scrawny whitetails.

100gr interlock from hornandy,imr7828ssc or 4831ssc go by book loads one more powder has my recommendation hunter.getting some greT speed and accuracy from hunter. Check hogdon reloading data center