Ramshot Hunter in .243 Win?

[filmjunkie4ever]

Has anyone tried Ramshot Hunter in .243 Win? I have a few folks wanting me to load up 100 grain bullets for deer season etc. The .243 is quite popular around here and with good reason, its accurate, easy to shoot and kills quite well for its size. It is the cartridge that Charles Newton intended the .250-3000 to become, a 100-grain bullet going 2850+ (although the .243 outruns that by 100-150 fps approximately).

I have several pounds of Ramshot Hunter and after perusing the manual decided to give it a whirl with the 100 grain Hornady BTSP Interlock.

On another point, I am considering having my Savage 99E .308 rebarreled to .243; while this rifle is a family heirloom, it just doesn't see much use. I like it and the .308 cartridge just fine but if I am hunting something that requires a .30 caliber rifle, I will grab one of my several .30-06's 10 times out of 9. In a Savage 99 of .30 caliber, I prefer the .300 Savage to the .308 10 times out of 9. If it was a .243, it would see more use, bottom line. A 100 grain cup n core bullet that shot well enough would likely be the standard load in any case.

Will keep you updated.

 

[bdbrown66]

I had never thought about using Hunter in the .243, but after looking at the data it seems to be a good fit. Interested to see what results you get. What rifle are you loading for?

In my Marlin XS7 .243, I have mostly used IMR 4064 and, when it was available, IMR 4166, with bullets from 70-100gr. May have to play with Hunter if it looks promising.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

I had never thought about using Hunter in the .243, but after looking at the data it seems to be a good fit. Interested to see what results you get. What rifle are you loading for?

In my Marlin XS7 .243, I have mostly used IMR 4064 and, when it was available, IMR 4166, with bullets from 70-100gr. May have to play with Hunter if it looks promising.

Right now it will be a Savage 99 .243 that these are tested in. I have made arrangements to acquire a nice takeoff barrel and have it installed. Not sure what the timeframe on that project will be.

So many other things going on that it might be a while before I get to test them though. As soon as I do, I will post my results.

 

[Guy Miner]

Might work out well. I've used it with good results in the 6mm Remington. Here's some Nosler 243 info:

 

[Joe C.]

Imr4831 works well with 100gr bullets in the 243 Win. I don’t see why Hunter wouldn’t as well.

 

[SJB358]

I’m using Hunter and the 95 BTs in my Ruger 243. Good speed and accuracy.

Interesting about the barrel swap on the 99. I sometimes think a 6 CM on a 99 would be sort of a sleeper.

I’m with you though, I like the 300 Savage in a 99. It was popular for good reason.

 

[Deer Hunter]

How did the Ramshot Hunter work out for ya? I just worked up a killer load for my 243 using H4831 and the 95gr NBT… The combo is grouping in the .5’s regularly I see no reason to change… I know H4831 is a magnum powder and it’s not recommended by the “experts” but I’m loving it and plan on picking up a couple more pounds

 

[jimbires]

the 243 likes slow powder . I used IMR7828 with 100 gr partitions

 

[Bruce Mc]

I use Reloder 22 with a 90 AccuBond.

 

[AFG270]

I've had excellent accuracy and velocity with RL26 and StaBall 6.5 with 100g Ballistic tips and 80gr Hammer Hunters.

 

[SJB358]

Same as the others. I’ve used Hunter which is RL19 like in burn rate, same as H4831SC up through RL26 and even Retumbo with heavies. H1000 and 105’s is about as stable and accurate as it gets.

 

[Jurome]

I am testing Hunter in a variety of calibres. In the .243, I have not used it with the 100 grain Interlock, but I have with the Nosler Partition 100 grain (very similair). It has been a good powder. I like using Hunter a lot. I find during powder tests I get lower pressures compared to other powders of the same velocity. I have though, been a little higher on the SD numbers though (low 20's).

So far, I have only loaded 42.3 and 42.7 grains testing with two different rifles (both 1:8" twist). Muzzle velocity was around 2800 fps in the short barrel Tikka and 2900 fps in my long barrel. I am at sea level and testing was just hovering above freezing level so very dense air...likely an easy 3000 + fps MV in the interior and at higher elevations.

 

[Jurome]

I also have tested it with the 95 grain Partition in .243.

Only one load so far:
48.6 grains, Fed 210M primer, 2.278" ogive - 2.713" OAL: 3058.4 fps (41F/5C, Sea Level, 20" barrel)

Decent velocity, SD was 19.2fps

 

[George Foster]

I have used Ramshot Hunter in the 243 and 6mm with Sierra 75hp's.