243 NEF Handi Rifle and Berger 95 VLDs

[Swamp Hunter 38]

I went to the range yesterday with my Stepsons 243 Handi Rifle. I had 4 loads with different powders and two of the loads had COAL of 2.710 , 2.750, 2.800 and 2.850. They were all loaded to shoot right under 3000fps and ALL of them performed horrible. They did shoot under 1ft at 100 yrds. My 300 WSM loves 155/168 Bergers and I plan on trying them in other calibers but that little 243 would not shoot them.
We had great success with IMR 4064 and 90 and 95 gn NBTs last year . I was looking for better blood trails so I tried the Bergers. Does anyone have a good load that I could try?
Thanks

 

[blacktailhunter]

It seems that the .243 Win will digest a variety of powders with good results. I have much preferred either 7828ssc or R-19. Any of the 4350's or slower seem to have worked best for me. I would start with R-19 and either the 90 grn Speer or 90-95 grn Ballistic Tip. 7828ssc with either the 100grn Sierra or 100grn Grand Slam have been scary accurate for me, but a little on the slow side, just over 2800fps. Again, I don't think you could pick a wrong powder for the 243, but it does look like you need to avoid Bergers with that rifle.

 

[HTDUCK]

When my boy was about 10 I bought him a youth model SB2 Handi Rifle in 243.
As I had never owned a 243 before I went to the local gunshop and bought a box of Hornady Custom ammo. It was a 100 grain SPBT loading.
Figured it was a good starting point and decent brass to reload.

Topped with a Tasco 3x9x40 World Class (translates to cheap scope)
I shot nickel sized groups all day long despite the 12 LB lawyer trigger.

I had a trigger job done on it and it only shot better.Matt killed several deer with it and when he outgrew it I traded it offfor his current rifle a VSSF 308.

Wish I'd have kept the rifle,I still have four or five boxes of once fired Hornady 243 brass.

Howard

 

[str8meat]

40 gr. h4350

 

[Swamp Hunter 38]

Thanks Guys!
I think I will take HT DUCKS advice because what he said mirrors what I almost did yesterday. While I was waiting for the range gunsmith to adjust the trigger on my 300WSM ,I was looking at the the sparse selection of ammo behind the counter and there was one box of Hornady Custom ammo in 100 SPBT . I almost bought it so I had something to do while waiting but I was tired of shooting after 6 guns and 100 degree heat . I also left the 243 at the shop to get the trigger down to 4.5 from what felt like 20 lbs. I will load up some more 90gn NBTs but I will buy the ammo next time I go to the range.

 

[chet]

h380 and 80gr BT!! shoots sub moa in my handirifle.... my trigger doesnt feel to bad.. now I'm curious, I'll put a scale on it tonight