Load data needed .243 with the 90gr E-Tip...

[Colin]

Ordered a box of the 90gr E-tips for the .243 and need some load data, please.

 

[FOTIS]

This should get you started. drop 10% in each load and work up


Cartridge : .243 Win.
Bullet : .243, 90, Barnes 'X' S 24315
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch or 68.83 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch or 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.

Matching Maximum Pressure: 59000 psi, or 406 MPa

or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 105 %

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 !

132 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 97.8 46.3 3.00 3118 98.5 59000 12617 1.044 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 105.0 47.4 3.07 3111 99.7 57808 12258 1.043 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 99.6 46.2 2.99 3099 95.2 59000 12691 1.042 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum (Big Boy) 102.7 49.6 3.22 3097 96.3 59000 12520 1.053 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12 102.4 49.6 3.21 3096 96.4 59000 12495 1.053 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517 102.6 49.7 3.22 3096 96.3 59000 12508 1.053 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 98.5 45.9 2.97 3094 95.7 59000 12357 1.033 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 104.1 45.9 2.97 3094 95.7 59000 12357 1.033 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation 99.7 45.7 2.96 3081 97.2 59000 12328 1.047 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 99.7 45.7 2.96 3081 97.2 59000 12328 1.047 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 99.7 45.7 2.96 3081 97.2 59000 12328 1.047 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213 99.5 45.6 2.96 3081 95.6 59000 12223 1.032 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR 102.4 45.9 2.98 3078 97.0 59000 12324 1.048 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO 99.7 48.1 3.12 3075 93.5 59000 12628 1.069 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214 103.3 48.7 3.15 3066 95.9 59000 12049 1.032 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 92.1 41.6 2.69 3056 99.3 59000 11483 1.044 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365 93.5 42.2 2.73 3056 100.0 59000 10821 1.057 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209 96.4 43.5 2.82 3052 97.0 59000 11740 1.040 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 96.6 43.8 2.84 3041 97.0 59000 11774 1.049 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905 100.9 45.4 2.94 3038 95.1 59000 11926 1.050 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP 91.7 41.1 2.67 3034 99.8 59000 11206 1.057 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation 97.3 44.1 2.86 3034 97.0 59000 11685 1.050 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation 91.7 41.2 2.67 3034 99.8 59000 11203 1.057 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831 99.3 43.1 2.80 3020 99.3 59000 11289 1.063 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 94.7 41.1 2.66 3020 99.8 59000 11173 1.069 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2 105.0 47.6 3.09 3019 95.2 54078 12429 1.102 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 94.7 43.0 2.78 3018 96.7 59000 11489 1.050 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 91.7 43.0 2.78 3018 96.7 59000 11489 1.050 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4 94.7 43.0 2.78 3018 96.7 59000 11489 1.050 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC 99.0 45.4 2.94 3011 94.2 59000 11536 1.045 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 103.0 45.4 2.94 3011 94.2 59000 11536 1.045 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 96.7 42.0 2.72 3006 96.0 59000 11393 1.052 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N570 105.0 50.2 3.25 3002 88.5 52441 12967 1.100 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385 96.6 44.3 2.87 2999 97.9 59000 11323 1.066 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904 95.7 42.8 2.77 2988 95.7 59000 11188 1.052 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 101.9 45.7 2.96 2984 97.5 59000 11026 1.059 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100 105.0 45.0 2.92 2983 99.0 58968 11066 1.076 ! Near Maximum !

 

[Guest]

I think POP meant drop 10%, not 105. Other than that, +1 on POP's simulation. I've found that the E-Tips like to have some jump prior to entering the rifling, so be aware of that. Also, in my 270Wby, they performed best with very slow powder (IMR7828ssc). I suspect you could apply the same logic in your .243Win, as the case volume to bore diameter is really close to the magnum levels anyway. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[FOTIS]

Yup...10 %

FIXED IT....

 

[Colin]

Thanks guys, what are your suggestions for powder? I've loaded the 90gr Ballistic Tip with Varget and havn't had much luck. I think the Varget isn't so great with the heavier bullets.

 

[FOTIS]

I would think powders between IMR 4350 and RL22 would do nicely. See sticky on powder burn chart in reloading section.

 

[Guest]

I'm going to suggest IMR7828, Accurate MagPro, H4831, and if you have it, VihtaVouri N550 (spelling on that one?). I think all of these are about the slowest thing out there that will work well at that bullet weight in the 243, and I've found the E-Tips to like slower powders.

 

[Colin]

Ok. Loaded the 90gr E-Tip in the .243 Win last night and went out today. First off, the .243 doesn't really like any bullets over 70gr (which shoot about 3/4 inch). The best I've gotten out of the 95gr Ballistic Tips is about 1.5 inches and factory loaded 100gr bullets range a little over 2 inches.

So I loaded the Minimum and Mid-Range loads from the Nosler manual for 3 different powders (3 shot groups). H4831SC, IMR4895 and H380.

The best group I got was with the H4831SC and that was 2 in one hole and the third about 4 inches away. The second best group was about a 5 inch group with the IMR4895. The groups with the H380 were (being generous) 10 inch groups!!!!!

So I guess I'll mess with the 4831SC and OAL and see what I can do there, other than that....it's not looking good.

 

[JD338]

IMR4350 works great in the 243 Win with heavier weight bullets.
Remember to start low and work up to mid level as your MAX with the E-Tip.

JD338

 

[coyotetrapper]

Colin what rate of twist do you have in your gun? Also I have used the 90 bal tip with H-4831sc and had great results at 43.5 grains. Shoots a dandy group!

If your rate of twist is more than 1-10 it maybe tough getting a tiny group. My remington with 1-9 likes the 80's and above !

I'm interested in what kind of FPS you get out of those e tips?

Funny thing with 4350 I have tried it a few times but couldn't get decent groups plenty of speed with those 90 grain bullets but the h-4831 did far better on group size for me.

 

[Guest]

I'm going to suggest you consider going to a slower powder and shortening your COL. I know it sounds crazy, but it worked wonders in my 270Wby with the 130gr E-Tips. That H4831sc group with the two close and one flyer is typical of what I kept getting until I found the right COL. Shorten it up at least .010", and try everything from .010-.050" if you have to. And consider AccMagPro or IMR7828 as potential powders.

Lots of jump and a slooow powder are the order of the day for E-Tips as per my experience.

 

[Colin]

I do not remember the exact twist rate of this rifle, however, I'd called Smith & Wesson and was told what it was and contacted Nosler for advice. They told me that the twist rate would not stabilize the 100gr bullets so try the 90gr or 95gr bullets. I got the 70gr Ballistic Tips down to about 3/4 inch groups, the 95gr Ballistic Tips to around 1.5 inches. But due to the California lead ban, I'm forced to use the E-Tips.

I have successfully worked up a decent load for my .300 Win Mag with the 180gr E-Tip, it shoots around 1.5 inch groups, which is fine with me.

I do understand the loading of the E-Tips (not exceeding the Mid-Load). If I remember correctly, The 180gr .30 caliber E-Tips at the Mid Load of RL-22 clocked around 3,130fps, so good velocity, only slightly less than my 180gr Accubonds. I'm just very suprized that I was shooting 10 inch groups with the .243....that is just crazy to me. I've loaded some more 90gr E-Tips for the .243 and adjusted the OAL to just slightly off the lands, we'll see if there is an improvement.

I'm going on a guided hog hunt this weekend and will be hunting coyotes and may be able to take multiple hogs. I've never taken any big game animals with the .300 Win Mag or the .243, so I figured I'd take both. But both have to shoot non-lead bullets, otherwise I'll be shooting coyotes with the .330, which isn't all that bad, I guess.

 

[Savage99]

What is the minimum twist required for the 90 gr 6mm E Tip in a 243?

 

[Colin]

OK, I loaded some more. One set of three loaded just slightly off the lands and the exact same load but seated a little deeper.

The three shot group seated close to the lands measured about 2 inches, Again 2 shots right next to each other and the third opened it up to 2 inches.

The second three shot group (seated deeper) was a perfect triangle, but, measured exactly 6 inches.

It is truely amazing how much seating depth effects the group size.

 

[FOTIS]

The second three shot group (seated deeper) was a perfect triangle, but, measured exactly 6 inches.

It is truely amazing how much seating depth effects the group size.

wow!!!!!!

 

[Colin]

I'd thought that my rifle or scope was messed up, but shot a perfect little 3/4 inch group with the 70gr Ballistic Tip dead center and 2.5 inches high. So it's not the scope...

Still need to mess with it a bit more, but I have a starting point.

 

[Guest]

I'd be willing to bet if you back down the COL, that 6" triangle will become a nice little 1" triangle.