243 load/bullet opinion

[chet]

howdy fellas!
so, I just picked up a M70 coyote in 243win. It's going to be my multi purpose truck gun (if it impresses me).
I want it to whack varmints as far as the eye can see, but I'd also like the same load to be usefull on antelope out to 400 yards or so.......
I have a 25-06 that shoots 110 AB's @ 3150, so there's no need to shoot 100gr PT's @ 3100 out of the 243........
I'm thinking something around 70 grains....... and @ 3400+ I don't think that a BT is the right answer......
The 90gr AB 243 isnt going to do anything that the 110gr AB 257 can't do.......

Is there such a thing? thought?

a 70 gr Etip might be cool........

 

[chet]

here's a pic

also picked up a fabarms HK silver lion.......... yes I have the disease.

 

[DrMike]

Looks to be a couple of fine catches. Yup, there's no cure for RADD; but what a fine and pleasant misery as we suffer with this delightful malady. :grin:

 

[Guest]

If you're looking at lighter than 90gr, but still enough for antelope, my bets are on just a few bullets. All are going to be a compromise, but what isn't when you want to hunt varmints and antelope?

Take a look at the following (listed in no particular order):

Nosler 85gr Partition
Hornady 85gr Interbond
Hornady 80gr GMX
Barnes 80gr TTSX
Speer 80gr Deep Curl
Speer 85gr Boat-Tail

Those are the ones I'd start with. If you're lucky, you might find that the 85gr Interbond and the 87gr VMax or BTHP from Hornady hit close enough to the same point of impact that you can simply swap out depending on what you're after. That might not work, though, if you're lucky.

The dividing line for me would be three things. First, accuracy. Second, suitability for antelope. Third, suitability for varmints. But that's just me. The last two could be swapped up in order of consideration if you prefer. I tend to believe a bullet that will hold together for antelope will likely whack varmints, if it's accurate. The reverse may not always be true.

 

[chet]

I was unaware of the 85PT.......
the GMX might be good too!
thanks!

 

[SJB358]

I know it wouldn't do anything more than your 25-06, but that little 90 AB or 90 BT would give me a little piece of mind for antelope. Your still looking at 3150-3200 out of your rifle and man, that would be slick for yotes and antelope.

Cool rifle Chet. Any M70 is a good one!

Cartridge          : .243 Win.
Bullet             : .243, 90, Nosler Accubond 56357
Useable Case Capaci: 49.342 grain H2O = 3.204 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 62000 psi, or 427 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

149 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Norma MRP                          104.1     49.4     3.20    3304    99.5    62000   12048   1.096  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N560                    105.8     49.2     3.19    3291    97.2    62000   12232   1.092  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Ramshot Magnum                     107.8     52.5     3.40    3277    98.0    62000   11958   1.088  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
SNPE Vectan SP 12                  108.1     52.5     3.40    3276    98.1    62000   11932   1.088  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
PB Clermont PCL 517                108.2     52.5     3.40    3276    98.0    62000   11947   1.088  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
IMR 7828 SSC                       104.3     48.7     3.16    3275    97.5    62000   11851   1.084  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate MAGPRO                    105.9     51.2     3.32    3272    95.8    62000   12205   1.101  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-22                 106.0     48.8     3.16    3269    98.7    62000   11826   1.098  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Raufoss RA15                       106.0     48.8     3.16    3269    98.7    62000   11826   1.098  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation       106.0     48.8     3.16    3269    98.7    62000   11826   1.098  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
IMR 7828                           110.0     48.6     3.15    3268    97.4    61546   11834   1.087  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Winchester WXR                     108.9     49.0     3.17    3267    98.6    62000   11829   1.098  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
ADI AR 2213                        105.2     48.4     3.13    3259    97.4    62000   11729   1.083  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
ADI AP 2214                        108.8     51.4     3.33    3237    97.6    62000   11503   1.084  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-25                 110.0     49.8     3.22    3236   100.0    57767   11546   1.123  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                        102.2     46.2     2.99    3231    98.4    62000   11241   1.086  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Rottweil R905                      107.2     48.4     3.14    3230    97.0    62000   11475   1.098  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-17                  90.7     43.3     2.80    3229   100.0    62000   10474   1.085  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Winchester 760                      92.9     44.7     2.89    3228    99.5    62000   11080   1.100  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon H414                        92.9     44.7     2.89    3228    99.5    62000   11080   1.100  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-19                 102.7     46.7     3.03    3227    98.5    62000   11295   1.095  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Ramshot Hunter                      98.2     46.1     2.99    3226    99.8    62000   11019   1.100  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Somchem S365                       100.1     45.3     2.93    3224   100.0    62000   10280   1.108  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP14 ~approximation         103.4     47.0     3.05    3218    98.5    62000   11205   1.096  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Norma URP                           97.9     44.0     2.85    3212   100.0    62000   10619   1.104  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP19 ~approximation          97.9     44.0     2.85    3212   100.0    62000   10616   1.104  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N550                     95.1     44.2     2.86    3211   100.0    62000   10739   1.109  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation       108.7     50.4     3.27    3210    95.3    62000   11439   1.089  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate 4350                      101.5     44.2     2.86    3207   100.0    62000   10596   1.121  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Raufoss RA4                        100.6     45.8     2.97    3203    98.3    62000   11016   1.094  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Norma 204                           97.4     45.8     2.97    3203    98.3    62000   11016   1.094  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP4 ~approximation          100.6     45.8     2.97    3203    98.3    62000   11016   1.094  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Ramshot BigGame                     91.4     42.9     2.78    3194   100.0    62000   10255   1.102  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon H4831                      108.0     47.7     3.09    3193    96.7    62000   11049   1.093  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon H4831 SC                   103.8     47.7     3.09    3193    96.7    62000   11049   1.093  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

 

[nvbroncrider]

You can't ask for anything better than that right there if you want dual purpose either the 85PT or 90AB. If you go to a lighter bullet like the 70 BT it won't serve the hunting round purpose. Or maybe go up to the 95BT but the 90 AB will be faster if I remember right higher BC and you can't tear it apart. Put one into jugs at 25 yds outta a 6-284 @ 3700 and it held together.

 

[AzDak42]

Man... Lost my post... let's try this again.

Take it with a grain of salt, but I like the idea of keeping one load per rifle. With that in mind, I think an AB or Partition in the 25-06 makes sense for turbo goats and deer. If it was me in that situation, I'd leave the 243 for the light weight varmint rounds. The really good coyote bullets like the 58/87g VMAX or 55/70g Ballistic Tip -Varmint. Those will be perfect medicine to a coyote but a tad light for an Antelope.

Then again, it's all splitting hairs. Any premium hunting bullet in either of those rifles will do the trick. Antelope aren't exactly buffalo tough.

 

[6mm Remington]

I'm with Scotty and nvbroncrider. The 85 gr. Partition would work well on both, but man that's a bit more expensive to shoot those at gophers although I do that with 100 gr. Partitions in my 6mm all the time. That way I know how that bullet shoots at different ranges and there isn't any better way to practice. The 90 gr. AccuBond might just be your perfect ticket though with speed, high BC, and tough while expandable at the same time. If I can get some loaded up here soon, maybe I can put one and catch it in gallon water jugs at 400 and 500 yards! The 100 gr. Partition in my 6mm opened up very nicely even at 400 yards.

90 gr. AccuBond.
David

 

[Guy Miner]

When I was using my little 6mm Rem for everything, at first I switched back and forth between 75 gr hollow points for varmints, and 100 gr soft points for deer.

One year I found out that the 100 gr soft points worked real well on ground squirrels too...

Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

In regards to the several .243 Win, 6mm Rem rifles which I have owned over the past 50 years, I have found that the 80 grain Nosler Ballistic tip varmit bullet does all of the non-game animals shooting tasks that I want, very well and with high accuracy. I have killed coyotes to 400+ yards with the 80 grain BT's. Also, considing that many 6mm's will not shoot the 55 grain bullets with sufficient accuracy to suit me, the 80 grain bullets are always accurate and work very well.

If I had to pick one bullet for all use in the various 6mm rifles, I would use the 85 gr Partition exclusively. I do not shoot a lot of small varmits with the .243 (I have a .204 Ruger for that) and most of my varmit shooting is larger varmits (coyotes and racoons). This is not volume shooting and the 85 Partition works great. I guess that it comes down to deciding what you are going to use the rifle for, most of the time?

 

[taylorce1]

I'm still hoping and praying that Nosler will bring out a 70 grain NAB same length as the 70 grain NBT. I'd take a look at the 80 grain TTSX, and maybe the Speer 80 grain Deep Curl when it hits the shelves. 90+ grain bullets would give you a ballistics advantage, but you probably wouldn't see it until past 600 yards.

I know it wouldn't do anything more than your 25-06, but that little 90 AB or 90 BT would give me a little piece of mind for antelope. Your still looking at 3150-3200 out of your rifle and man, that would be slick for yotes and antelope.

Cool rifle Chet. Any M70 is a good one!

Cartridge          : .243 Win.
Bullet             : .243, 90, Nosler Accubond 56357
Useable Case Capaci: 49.342 grain H2O = 3.204 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 62000 psi, or 427 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

149 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Norma MRP                          104.1     49.4     3.20    3304    99.5    62000   12048   1.096  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N560                    105.8     49.2     3.19    3291    97.2    62000   12232   1.092  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Ramshot Magnum                     107.8     52.5     3.40    3277    98.0    62000   11958   1.088  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
SNPE Vectan SP 12                  108.1     52.5     3.40    3276    98.1    62000   11932   1.088  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
PB Clermont PCL 517                108.2     52.5     3.40    3276    98.0    62000   11947   1.088  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
IMR 7828 SSC                       104.3     48.7     3.16    3275    97.5    62000   11851   1.084  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate MAGPRO                    105.9     51.2     3.32    3272    95.8    62000   12205   1.101  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-22                 106.0     48.8     3.16    3269    98.7    62000   11826   1.098  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Raufoss RA15                       106.0     48.8     3.16    3269    98.7    62000   11826   1.098  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation       106.0     48.8     3.16    3269    98.7    62000   11826   1.098  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
IMR 7828                           110.0     48.6     3.15    3268    97.4    61546   11834   1.087  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

I see you got to play with the "code" button, now if you just change the font size it doesn't wrap it around. Plus it isn't all that hard to read a little smaller IMO.

 

[SJB358]

I see you got to play with the "code" button, now if you just change the font size it doesn't wrap it around. Plus it isn't all that hard to read a little smaller IMO.

I will have to monkey with it. It does present a little better like that.

 

[PJGunner]

Years back when I lived in Nevada, I picked up a .243 in a trade and the first load I worked up used H4831 and the 100 gr. Hornady Spire Points. I used it on game as small as Pocket Gophers to jack rabits, coyotes and when I took youngsters out for their first deer hunt, they usd it for their first deer. A firm believer in one load for one rifle, I never did try anything else in that rifle. Shortly before I left to come to Arizona, I gave that rifle to the don of friend who'd taken his first deer only the year before with that rifle. His dad offered me money for the gun but I didn't want to sell it. I surprised even myself when I just gave it to the kid. To be honest, the look on his face was payment enough.
These days, I have two rifles in .243, a Ruger #1A and a Winchester M70 made around 1969 based on the serial number. My wife has claimed the M70 The #1 has just been a bit of a safe queen but I plan on doing something with it in the near future. The M70 likes that 100 gr. Hornady load so it's good to go. I still have to find out what the #1 likes.
Paul B.

 

[chet]

I've got some 90gr BT's laying around from an old project, I'll try them first.........
It's odd that 3200fps seems boring to me right now

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

80g nbt is what I would do.

80g nbt will kill antelope pretty easily out to 400-500, and coyotes as far as you can hit them.

Antelope aren't very hard to kill. Doesn't take much put em down...

 

[onesonek]

I'm with Scotty and nvbroncrider. The 85 gr. Partition would work well on both, but man that's a bit more expensive to shoot those at gophers although I do that with 100 gr. Partitions in my 6mm all the time. That way I know how that bullet shoots at different ranges and there isn't any better way to practice. The 90 gr. AccuBond might just be your perfect ticket though with speed, high BC, and tough while expandable at the same time. If I can get some loaded up here soon, maybe I can put one and catch it in gallon water jugs at 400 and 500 yards! The 100 gr. Partition in my 6mm opened up very nicely even at 400 yards.

90 gr. AccuBond.
David

I agree also,,,,while there are few dual purpose chamberings available, it's much harder to find a dual use bullet when varmint are concerned. Specially so if pelts are wnated to be saved. But I would much rather us a heavier bullet on yotes, than a lighter one one Antelope. While either the 85/PT, or 90/AB will both do, the 90 gr. AB is a bit less costly to shoot, and gives more benefit in BC. With that said however, if there is a fair amount of difference in accuracy between the two, I would go with the one the shot the best.

 

[BK]

Well, I'd sure be looking at the Hornady 105 A-Max if you really want to be able to whack vermin way out there, but I think I am going to try and work up a decent load for my .243 with a 90 AB.

 

[EOD Diver]

Not to hijack the post, but for those looking to try the new 90gr AB, I think you'll be pleased. I've got a very finicky .243 FN Mauser that I've been loading for and they seem to be the ticket. I've tried 80gr TTSXs, but they gave me a huge SD, so I kind of lost interest. I tried E-tips, but they didn't work so well in my rifle either. The mythical 90gr ABs finally came out and were at the local sportsman's warehouse, so I picked up a few. This rifle is the most unforgiving thing I've ever loaded for and has popped out primers only 1 grain above the listed minimum in the Hodgdon manual I use, but it's putting 90gr ABs into 0.81" over 39.6gr of H4350. I know it's a low charge, but with much more than that I start getting flattened/cratered primers, so I think my pressure is up there and I imagine the velocity is too, although I've yet to put 'em over the chrony. Anyway, it seems to be a safe/accurate load for a rifle that has been difficult to load for thus far. I'm a huge AB fan, as they've always shot well in just about anything I've loaded for (.270, 30-06, & 300 win) and they always do the job on elk. Just my .02.
Joe

 

[baltz526]

85gr Sierra HPBT game king is a very good bullet also. I have a couple 243 that shoot it ok. If you shoot a lot and can not get Nosler seconds it is a cost effective bullet.