22-243 loads

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22-243 loads

Post by andym79 » 27 Jun 2019, 8:42 pm

Hi I recently got a 22-243, with a 1:8 barrel, I have lots of 77gr smk and so plan on shoot them. As its a wildcat of limited load data I am not really sure of a load.

I am thinking of starting at 37 grains of AR2209 and slowly working up, I would really like to hear from anyone who has a 22-243 and what they shoot in it.

Thanks Andy
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by SCJ429 » 28 Jun 2019, 8:05 am

You could use 22/250 load data as a guide, it should get those SMK motivated. Sounds like a fun project.
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by Madang185 » 28 Jun 2019, 9:47 am

Have had a 22/243 ( 40 degree imp) built to BR standards for some years. Load development with AR2209 only, topped out at 41.5 grains without any pressure signs.
Only used one projectile, a JLK 65 grain flat based VLD which the rifle was designed around.
Very accurate, head shoots rabbits at 400 yards without effort if I do my part.
Case life good, in my opinion an excellent round.
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by YoungBuck » 28 Jun 2019, 11:22 am

Thought this was a typo in the thread name... never heard of a 22/243.
Whats the difference between 22 - 250 / 243?
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by duncan61 » 28 Jun 2019, 11:43 am

The 22/250 is based on the 3000 case and the 22/243/308 is based on 308 case
.22 winchester .22hornet .222 .243 7mm rem mag cbc 12g
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by YoungBuck » 28 Jun 2019, 2:30 pm

Thanks duncan, but then what is the difference between a 22-243 and standard 243 Win?

Edit: I'm going to guess it's the same diameter size as the 243Win, but the case is longer to hold more powder?

dbl Edit: did some reading up, same size pill as 22-250, bigger case :ugeek:
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by Stix » 28 Jun 2019, 2:46 pm

YoungBuck wrote:Thanks duncan, but then what is the difference between a 22-243 and standard 243 Win?

Edit: I'm going to guess it's the same diameter size as the 243Win, but the case is longer to hold more powder?


No expert here...but i look at it as a 243 is a necked down 308...
The geometry of that in itself will dictate a different shoulder angle.
So the same would go for a 243 necked down to 224...
Id assume shoulder angles & neck length may change from a ballistic & powder burning & projectile choice point of view, which may inturn have an influence in case capacity, (although id guess not much), but that & the intricate dimensions of chambers/reamers are way beyond me. :unknown:
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by Madang185 » 28 Jun 2019, 6:25 pm

There are variations on the theme in terms of shoulder angle and neck length. The author would suggest that perhaps the 22/243 is at the top of the tree for .224 calibre projectiles and efficiency. I do know that is is flexible and accurate. What more could you ask for.
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by SCJ429 » 28 Jun 2019, 6:38 pm

Madang185 wrote:There are variations on the theme in terms of shoulder angle and neck length. The author would suggest that perhaps the 22/243 is at the top of the tree for .224 calibre projectiles and efficiency. I do know that is is flexible and accurate. What more could you ask for.


Not even close to the top of the tree regarding efficiency, the 22 BR and 22 PPC are the benchmark. The 22/243 will struggle to show much advantage in speed to the 22 Dasher or BRX. Still a cool wildcat even if it is eclipsed.
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by duncan61 » 28 Jun 2019, 8:00 pm

77gn pills out of 6mm v 77gn pills out of 5.56mm

.243 77 GR. Sierra Hollow Point AR2209 .243" 2.625" 41.0 grain 2950 fps - 44.5 grain 3335 fps 58250 psi
.223 77 GR. Sierra Hollow Point AR2208 .224" 2.260" 21.0 grain 2528 fps 42700 cup 23.7 grain (C) 2737 fps 50700 cup
.22/250 77 GR. Sierra Hollow Point AR2209 .224" 2.330" 34.0 grain 3007 fps 44800 cup 36.0 grain 3129 fps 49600 cup
.220 Swift 77 GR Sierra Hollow Point AR2209 .224" 2.680" 36.0 grain 3027 fps 45200 cup 38.0 grain 3313 fps 51200 cup
I was curious so looked this up and pasted it so I could have a good study.So a 22 pill out of a ,243 case is potentially going harder than the Swift which became unpopular as throat erosion was an issue.I will pass.on asimilar note I have had buddies go on about how great their .223 is but it will never catch a .243 in real times
.22 winchester .22hornet .222 .243 7mm rem mag cbc 12g
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by duncan61 » 28 Jun 2019, 8:39 pm

I enjoy wildcats and experimented with heavy bullets out of my hornet and fitted .243 bullets in my .222 before I learned it has all been done and now there is Trailboss to play with and subsonic loads are very real.It was all about reducing noise in populated areas.I feel .224 pills out of 303 and 308 cases is pushing the limit where a .25 bullet out a .303 case made a very good hunting rifle.338 and 358 out a 308 case is hopefully going to become more popular.Thoughts people
.22 winchester .22hornet .222 .243 7mm rem mag cbc 12g
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by SCJ429 » 28 Jun 2019, 8:57 pm

What do you think of the 240 Weatherby, Duncan? Perhaps you could neck that down to 224. The WSSM case might be your choice if you want a fast yet more efficient case.
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by duncan61 » 28 Jun 2019, 9:18 pm

Never heard of it till now.chasing speed is not my thing.Around 3000 fps is a good balance but I understand and know shooters that get 3700 fps with slowburning powder and light for chamber pills
.22 winchester .22hornet .222 .243 7mm rem mag cbc 12g
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by Tank » 28 Jun 2019, 11:03 pm

Each to his own I guess but it sounds like a 22-250 on roids.....and I’m not sad that creation is in decline.
Rabbits don’t notice the difference.....
Hyper velocity 22 are neither your arse or your armpit and tend to be used for stuff they were never intended for....because they’re fast.
.223 will do me just fine.
Good luck with it though. You are a searcher Andym
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by duncan61 » 29 Jun 2019, 12:56 am

Well done it is a 22/250 and with 40gn vmax its going at more than 4000FPS my mates son put it all together to do long range foxes.They have a deal with a sheep farm manager and they are the only ones allowed there shooting.To keep the roo numbers under control I was allowed to go with them as long as we removed the carcasses which was cool by me as I could sell them at the time.I watched this 20 year old pull of some super long shots on foxes.He stopped coming on the roo culls as it was too easy for him
.22 winchester .22hornet .222 .243 7mm rem mag cbc 12g
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by Tank » 29 Jun 2019, 8:10 am

duncan61 wrote:I enjoy wildcats and experimented with heavy bullets out of my hornet and fitted .243 bullets in my .222 before I learned it has all been done and now there is Trailboss to play with and subsonic loads are very real.It was all about reducing noise in populated areas.I feel .224 pills out of 303 and 308 cases is pushing the limit where a .25 bullet out a .303 case made a very good hunting rifle.338 and 358 out a 308 case is hopefully going to become more popular.Thoughts people


Start your own thread.....gauge a reaction from there.
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by GQshayne » 29 Jun 2019, 8:18 pm

I have a .243, so not the same of course, but with a 70gn projectile I am using 46gn of AR2209 comfortably. That is not even close to the listed max load. So I think your suggested starting point should be very mild. I would think that you will have a lot of space left in your case, which I like to avoid.
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by andym79 » 30 Jun 2019, 5:30 pm

I haven't shot any 2209 loads yet.

I measured the water capacity and its not 50grs as listed but 54grs.

I loaded up a case with 37 grains of 2209 and with the bullet in, it sounded like a maraca, I pulled that bullet and loaded no more. 2209 is too slow of a power to load down. I am going to slowly work up 2208 loads and work out a minimum load for 2209.

I would estimate 37 grains only filled the case by about 80%. I am not saying its a safe load but it could physically take 45-46 grains with the bullet seated and no compression. I am obviously not going to try a 46 grain load, quickload says a maximum load is 44.
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Re: 22-243 loads

Post by GQshayne » 30 Jun 2019, 8:51 pm

andym79 wrote:I haven't shot any 2209 loads yet.

I measured the water capacity and its not 50grs as listed but 54grs.

I loaded up a case with 37 grains of 2209 and with the bullet in, it sounded like a maraca, I pulled that bullet and loaded no more. 2209 is too slow of a power to load down. I am going to slowly work up 2208 loads and work out a minimum load for 2209.

I would estimate 37 grains only filled the case by about 80%. I am not saying its a safe load but it could physically take 45-46 grains with the bullet seated and no compression. I am obviously not going to try a 46 grain load, quickload says a maximum load is 44.


42gns of 2209 causes no issues, and from memory about 41 is listed as min for the .243. 46 shows no pressure signs behind a 70gn pill, and is not maximum according to load data. I have never used 2208.
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