.243 Winchester...new work up.

A friend of mine asked me to mount a scope and do a load work up with her new Weatherby Camilla in .243WIN. She wants to stick with mono-metal bullets like the TSX, GMX, or E-Tip bullet.

I've never worked with the .243 and I haven't worked much with copper bullets. Looking for some suggestions for powder and projectiles to start with.

I’ve never used the mono metals in any of the .243s I load or have loaded for but I have used a variety of different powders. It’s an easy cartridge to get to shoot well. I use H380 or 4064 for the lightweights and Varget and 4350 for the middle and heavyweights.




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Not crazy fast, 3050-3075, but 45.2grs h4831 shoots crazy good from 4 different 243’s for me. I seat to the center of the top groove. I’ve never recovered one and performance has been excellent.


With the Barnes 80ttsx h and imr 4350 45-45.5grs 3260fps, are the winners.

I haven’t loaded monos in the 243 yet. Have some 87 or 85gn TSX. The guns three favorite powders are IMR4381, RL26, and IMR4350.. the 4381 is under 0.5 at a 100, and the other tow are under 1.0 at 100. Last bullet hunted in 243, was an 85gn Sierra GK over RL26 between 3300 and 3400 FPS. I was using it in a suburban setting and needed the bullet to kill, but not exit. 5 of 6 no exit hole, mostly DRT. I’ve been wanting to see if I could get the TSX flying like that.

Please post your learnings.

I did neck size.

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IMR4831 will print tiny groups @ 300yrds using 85 grain bullets.

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In my son's Ruger MKII in 6mm Remington using 90 gr. E-tips, we found a good load using Hodgdon Hybrid 100V. Not a 243 but similar in case capacity and it might be worth trying some of this.

He's taken a couple antelope, mule deer, and a nice cow elk with that bullet. All have been one shot kills including the elk which only went about 20 yards and tipped over. I'm impressed with the 90 gr. E-tip and it's performance.

I've worked with 90gr E-tips in two .243s. The best loads I e found are about 1" at 100yds. My wife's Mossberg Patriot likes Hodgdon Superformance and gets 3200fps from a 20" barrel. I've had some success with IMR 7828ssc in my Savage varmint. I'd like to try 80gr TTSX and I'd recommend H4350 and Superformance.

desertcj":26ktae97 said:

I'd like to try 80gr TTSX and I'd recommend H4350 and Superformance.

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I've got both on hand and use them in quite a few of my loads. Think that's where I'll start.

hodgeman":2c6anp6z said:

A friend of mine asked me to mount a scope and do a load work up with her new Weatherby Camilla in .243WIN. She wants to stick with mono-metal bullets like the TSX, GMX, or E-Tip bullet.

I've never worked with the .243 and I haven't worked much with copper bullets. Looking for some suggestions for powder and projectiles to start with.

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Hodgeman,
Be aware that with mono-metal bullets,
there is not any "give" to the bullet diameter like there is with a cup/leadcore bullet.
Doesn't happen too often, but more times with the mono-metal bullet the rifle may not like it.
Mic and keep records of the bullet diameter. You'll find one that works well.

My kids weatherby vanguard 243 doesn’t care what bullet you feed it as long as it gets h4350. We have tried all kinds of powders and h 4350 has been the best with bullets from 70 to 100 grains.

The best powder I have found for 85 to 100gr bullets in the past 30yrs has been IMR4831 in the 243. I like IMR4064 and RL19 for 75 and 80gr bullets.

Try n160 work well in my .243 with 95grn sst

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40.5 grs H4350 85 gr Barnes TTX Win case and primer gave about an inch at 100yds. Used this load last month in our early doe season on a 3-4 yr old big body doe. Thru the shoulders at 215 yds clipped the heart exit wound about the size of a nickel traveled 50 yds. Dan.

You didn't say what all she wants to do with her .243, but if she's chasing predators with it and wanting to save hides, you might play with Lehigh Defense's 62 gr Controlled Chaos bullets. I've not tried them yet (don't have my 6mm Creedmoor done yet) but they are on the top of my list for light weight bullets to try they (and fit her mono construction criteria).

George Foster":1xtc055p said:

The best powder I have found for 85 to 100gr bullets in the past 30yrs has been IMR4831 in the 243. I like IMR4064 and RL19 for 75 and 80gr bullets.

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I have too agree with you sir IMR4831 is the best powder i have used in a 243, and i have tried alot of different powders..

I used H4350 and 85 TSX for a few years on deer and it was a solid combo.


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