Need a good varmint load for 243

[matt_3479]

I have my rifle almost fully set up. I have powders, shells, scope, everything. Now I need a promising load for shots from 0-500 yards. I have heard really good things about the v-max so I took a look there and really like the 75 grain and 87 grain.

Does anyone have any good load suggestions? 1-9 1/4 twist 26" barrel

 

[roninflag]

have not shot 75grain, i have shot 70 grain baltip, 85 sierra bthp, 87 horn bthp and 88 grain berger. i use varget and I4064 with all of those.

 

[johnnyk]

matt,
My .243 (Win 70 HVB) shoots the 87gn Hornady BTHP (#2442) and 87gn V-Max in to the .3 - .4's with 44.5gn of IMR4831 and CCI BR's.
Also try the 75gn Hornady Spire HP (#2420) ahead of 42.0gn of IMR4895/BR2's. I think this is more powder than what Hodgdon's website recommends but it shows no pressure in my rifle. My velocity averages 3600fps and accuracy runs in the .2's.
I also like the 90gn Ballistic Tip ahead of 43.5gn of Viht560/CCI BR2. Velocity averages 3100fps and accuracy runs in the .2's. Had good luck with the 95gn BT and this powder (44.0gn) and primer. Accuracy stays in the low .2's and velocity is just under 3100fps. This load proved to be the demise of many VA groundhawgs out to 600yds.
That should be enough to get you started. Good luck. JohnnyK.

 

[roninflag]

my brother uses a huge amount of varget witha 55 baltip . it is fast and flat. if you live in the cold you may want to start with extreme powders like varget, h4350 or maybe h-4895.

 

[ReachnOut]

Tried a lot of combo's in my Cooper .243 custom and found that my best load was 47.5 gns H414 behind a Sierra MK 70 gn bullet seated .010 off the lands. Chrono was 3610 and 5 shot group of .337. I consider this a max load, so I would work it up slowly from 44.0 if you try it.

 

[boomtube]

"Need a good varmint load for 243"

Pick a bullet that looks interesting, check a manual for a good powder for that weight and experiment. If you get thirty answers to your question no two will be the same.