Reloading 243

Reloading equipment, methods, load data, powder and projectile information.

Reloading 243

Post by bignose88 » 15 Jun 2020, 2:19 pm

G'day there,

I am starting to reload for the first time. Those who have/do reload 243 which powder, primers and projectiles would you recommend? I plan to reload 50-100 rounds for some varmint/medium game shooting.

Would appreciate your feedback.

Thank you
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Re: Reloading 243

Post by bladeracer » 15 Jun 2020, 2:57 pm

bignose88 wrote:G'day there,

I am starting to reload for the first time. Those who have/do reload 243 which powder, primers and projectiles would you recommend? I plan to reload 50-100 rounds for some varmint/medium game shooting.

Would appreciate your feedback.

Thank you


Lots and lots of choices in .243.
I prefer AR2206H, but there are many powders that work very well in it.
Do you know your twist-rate?
What factory ammo have you used and liked, and what bullet did they use?
Practice Strict Gun Control - Precision Counts!
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Re: Reloading 243

Post by in2anity » 15 Jun 2020, 3:16 pm

06H is a great all-rounder powder. Once you get over marveling at your tiny groups, you can bank on 06H to perform adequately in lots of different rifle calibers. It's also known to be fast enough / safe to slightly reduce-load to mitigate recoil. It's my go-to powder for 223/308/303 these days - performs better than i can on the mound.
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Re: Reloading 243

Post by Blr243 » 15 Jun 2020, 3:45 pm

Hornady vmax are accurate cheap and like little bombs inside a chest cavity I mostly use 87 weight purchsed in bulk they are I think 33 dollars per hundred That’s cheaper than old fashioned exposed lead Standard. soft points .....Even this weight is still by hornady classified as a fragile varmint bullet .. but they will work on big boars broadside with correct placement if that’s what you have with you at the time ...hornady also make a thing called sst. I never tried them but others here really like them and they are a better choice for medium game I never use hollow points because I have heard it’s possible for one side of the bullet tip to flatten out on impact therefore making the bullet punch straight thru like an FMJ I’ve been useing adi 2208. But I think 2209 might be better powder for a 243. I have never bothered with magnum primers. For primers I use Winchester or federal.
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Re: Reloading 243

Post by Blr243 » 15 Jun 2020, 3:52 pm

The shape of a 243 case is prone to neck thickening ( forward brass flow) ......cases too long ( not trimmed ) or necks too thick place extra tension on a bullet in a chamber and can cause dangerous pressures....watch out for that.....Also when sizing , dirty ( carbon build up ) on the inside of necks, and / or un lubricated insides of necks can stretch a case longer than it should be as the expander button of your die is drawn thru the case. So here you are thinking that because it’s been sized it’s right but it could end up too long
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Re: Reloading 243

Post by SCJ429 » 15 Jun 2020, 7:31 pm

For projectiles around 60 grains you will be OK with 2206h or 2208. If you move up to 90 grain projectiles you will find 2209 or Short Cut are better. If you try projectiles over 100 grains, then 2217 or 2225 will give you the best results.
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Re: Reloading 243

Post by TassieTiger » 15 Jun 2020, 8:52 pm

Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: Reloading 243

Post by Bruiser64 » 17 Jun 2020, 12:10 am

I use AR2209 and the 87 grain Vmax projectiles with cci large rifle primers. I cant remember the exact powder weight, but it is right in the middle of the range recommended by ADI. This load is has good hunting accuracy in my Tikka T3x lite. It is devastating on roos and foxes. A mate uses my reloads in his Sako and they work well in that too.
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Re: Reloading 243

Post by Strangedog » 17 Jun 2020, 7:49 pm

95gr Nosler BT with 42gr 2209 works for me.
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Re: Reloading 243

Post by bignose88 » 19 Jun 2020, 7:10 pm

bladeracer wrote:
bignose88 wrote:G'day there,

I am starting to reload for the first time. Those who have/do reload 243 which powder, primers and projectiles would you recommend? I plan to reload 50-100 rounds for some varmint/medium game shooting.

Would appreciate your feedback.

Thank you


Lots and lots of choices in .243.
I prefer AR2206H, but there are many powders that work very well in it.
Do you know your twist-rate?
What factory ammo have you used and liked, and what bullet did they use?

Yes, it's a 1 in 10 twist
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Re: Reloading 243

Post by bignose88 » 22 Jun 2020, 3:48 pm

Can a 1 in 10 twist stabilise larger projectiles, from 105 gr to 115 gr ?
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Re: Reloading 243

Post by Larry » 23 Jun 2020, 8:01 am

bignose88 wrote:Can a 1 in 10 twist stabilise larger projectiles, from 105 gr to 115 gr ?


It will certainly stabilize the 105 grn, I have shot several different types of 105s I have not used a 115grn as yet.
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Re: Reloading 243

Post by Madang185 » 23 Jun 2020, 9:30 am

Lots of experience with 243 Winchester over nearly 40 years.

Flexible throughout, AR2209 & AR2213 SC seem to work well as does AR2208.

These three powders predominate for all projectile weights

Enjoy
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Re: Reloading 243

Post by bignose88 » 24 Jun 2020, 1:19 pm

Has anyone used the Sierra 6mm 90 gr Gamechangers TGK? If so how did they perform?
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