243 with 18" barrel

[buckfever]

A friend of mine had the barrel of the barrel on his 243 chopped down to 18". I would like to now if anyone has any loads they would like to share in the 55 to 75 gr range but open to all bullet weights. The rifle is Remington 700 adl.

 

[SJB358]

I run the same loads in my shorty 243 as I would in a long barrel. Mostly RL19 and RL22 with 90 and 105 grain bullets. You'll lose a little speed, but it isn't nearly as bad as what you think. I still get mid 2900's with the 105 AMax and RL22, and nearly 3100 with RL19 and the 90 AB. Accuracy is excellent as well. Sorry, nothing to add, as I don't really shoot the light weights much.

 

[buckfever]

thanks SJB358 I've got some rl19 and 22 and also some 95 gr bts.

 

[SJB358]

thanks SJB358 I've got some rl19 and 22 and also some 95 gr bts.

Those two, along with 7828 did really well for me in the 243 and 95 BT's.

 

[buckfever]

I'll give 7828 a shot also this should be fun first time loading for a 243.

 

[Oldtrader3]

For light bullets up to 90 grains, I have had good luck with IMR 4350 in the .243.

 

[buckfever]

Thanks Oldtrader I will definitely give imr 4350 a shot.

 

[ridgewalker]

Buckfever, I have been loading 43.5 gr H4350 for years behind several different 85 gr bullets (Sierra, Nosler BT, Hornady 87gr, etc) and it always shoots very well. A friend shot it for the first time from his Remington heavy barrel using 85 gr Bergers and it cloverleafed 3 rounds at 200 yds :shock: His shooting pals at the range immediately wanted to know the load.

Almost being out of H4350, I had a lb of H414 nearly full and decided to get a back up load using an 85 gr Nosler Partition for my Kimber Montana. 3 shots in 1" at 200 yards. The load...42.0 gr H414. The little spindle barreled Kimber starts opening up pretty good after 3 shots, so I always just group with 3.

Sorry but I can't help you on anything lighter. I have used the Sierra on everything from prairie dogs to mule deer. I always wait for a broad side on mulies and antelope. Never took a raking shot. The Nosler BT and Hornady seem to be a little delicate for mulies and antelope. They have never gone very deep and just explode.

I have used the H4350 and 85-87 gr bullets in a couple of Remingtons, my little Kimber, and several Savages. They have all shot it very well, although you may need to go down or up a little and finally play with the seating depth for the optimum in accuracy.

Good luck (especially finding powders and primers!) and I hope this will help.

 

[FOTIS]

H414 and win 760 did almost 4k fps with the 55 gr in a 22" tube.

 

[onesonek]

With the 55's and 70 gr. BT, I had best results with H-4895 and Varget with the 70's. I shoot 55's with the H-4895 mostly, running 3650 out of a 15" pistol barrel.

 

[baltz526]

Here is a load that works in a 18.5" rem mod 7 youth. 75gr Vmax, 39gr varget, rem 9 1/2M primer, 3000fps

 

[buckfever]

Thanks for more info I have some varget and some 75 gr vmax. Wife has me pretty busy right know so not sure when I'll have time to but all this info into action.