243 load/bullet opinion

[SJB358]

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

I am looking forward to giving this bullet a go in my boys 243. It seems to shoot most everything well, so I am thinking it should do fine with the 90 AB. He has been shooting the 100 PT for awhile, and that bullet is about as good as it gets. I can't imagine the 90 AB will beat the PT much, but I was able to pick up a couple hundred of them for a good price, so they might be fun. I have alot of confidence they will hold up well, seeing some of the bullets tests they have came out well on.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I used the 80 gr BT for the .243 as a varmit load for years. I still maintain that the one all-around-bullet is tha 85 Partiton if deer and antelope are on the menu. It will shoot like an 80 gr for varmits and like a 90 grain for game animals. IT kills deer fast and as sureley as the 90 grain does and never fails to penetrate.

 

[YoteSmoker]

I asked the similiar question here a few months ago concerning deer/coyotes and decided to go with 95 ballistic tip. I've only shot paper with it so far but it was pretty accurate with 39.5 IMR4350 but is most accurate in my rifle using 41.7 RL-22.