Looking for advice from.243 shooters

C

crazyhorse

New member
I'm new to the site and new to reloading.I've killed alot of game but mostly with the bow.I have a .243 and love shooting so I bought the equipment to reload.I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share any of there favorite loads for this calibur.I shoot a bolt action browning and am looking for a good all round load.Powder bullet weights etc.I will be hunting only yotes and fox and really dont want to destroy there pelts.Do you want a light weight bullet that disinagrates or do you want a heavy bullet that wont open?Any advice to get me started would be great thanks in advance for your help.
 
A-bolt or earlier rendition? If it's an A-bolt, my advice would to be to get a good runnin' head start and hurl the whole rig at 'em as hard as you can /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifJust kiddin', don't mind me......2MG
 
Welcome to Predator Masters crazyhorse.

The .243 is a great coyote round, though you'll have to be very careful to get fur (and sometimes won't). I've had pretty good luck with 87gr v-max, but a couple have been fairly messy (I don't save fur).

You will have problems finding a bullet/load in a .243 that's fur friendly on fox. A bullet that won't open will leave a 1/4 bore hole all the way through, but you'll get a lot of opportunity to practice your tracking skills.

There are any number of web sites with reloading info on the ,243, but if you just started reloading I'd strongly suggest that you buy a reloading manual (or two) and read the front half thoroughly before you start rolling your own. It could lend new meaning to the term "saving face".
 
I use 70 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips over 36.4 grains of H380 powder. Unless you mess up and hit a shoulder bone, it has minimal damage inside 200 yards. Very, very acurate out of my Savage home built gun.
 
OK great thanks for your advice.I have bought the Hornady manuals and have enjoyed reading and think I have a good understanding on the basics of reloading.I will try the loads suggested.Thanks again .Jesse
 
>243 is a great round, I watched my nephew kill a Cow Buffalo with a shot to the head with one Friday, his 7th buffalo kill and all with the .243 !
 
Full Metal Jackets are like the military bullets and in some states illegal for any hunting although some states allow them for predator control. The 87 grn Ballistic tips work well as to the 70 grn soft points. Avoid Hollow points if you want to save fur. The light fast hollow point tends to explode leaving a small in but huge out hole.
 
Besides the legal issues with an FMJ, be careful where you use them. They ricochet more than any other type of bullet.
 
>>>>>>!

I have NEVER met a coyote that can argue with a .243!!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif

Of course I blew the HELL out of them with the Hornady 75 gr. HP!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I have owned and loaded for three .243's over the years and never went for the pelts BUT .. If I were to try for fur I would experiment with bullets like a lighter Nosler Partion or other controlled expansion numbers.

And, try the super fast exploders like what has been mentioned. The FMJ types may lead to much tracking so these would necessitate very precise shooting.

Most of my work has been with .22-250 and Nosler's 55 gr. Ballistic Tip. Those have largely blown up inside and NOT exited ....... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Enjoy that Browning .... never mind the nay sayers. My brother has a fairly early A-bolt in .300 Win. Mag. and he really likes it!

Three 44s
 
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Quote:
>>>>>>!

I have NEVER met a coyote that can argue with a .243!!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif

Of course I blew the HELL out of them with the Hornady 75 gr. HP!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I have owned and loaded for three .243's over the years and never went for the pelts BUT .. If I were to try for fur I would experiment with bullets like a lighter Nosler Partion or other controlled expansion numbers.

And, try the super fast exploders like what has been mentioned. The FMJ types may lead to much tracking so these would necessitate very precise shooting.

Most of my work has been with .22-250 and Nosler's 55 gr. Ballistic Tip. Those have largely blown up inside and NOT exited ....... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Enjoy that Browning .... never mind the nay sayers. My brother has a fairly early A-bolt in .300 Win. Mag. and he really likes it!

Three 44s




Thanks for all the advice fellas I'm going to get some loads worked up and see what happens.As far as the Abolt browning comments go I dont really understand the problem with them if there is one?Are they a poor gun?I hope not it's all I have and we have our first baby on the way so it's probably not going to be anytime soon that I'll be buying another gun!Owell I seem to hit stuff with it so it will have to do. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gifThanks for the advice.
 
I like Varget or Reloader 15 for powders, and the two coyotes I shot with the 70 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip dropped instantly, one was facing me at 302 yards and the shot didnt exit. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif Heavier bullets like the 87 gr Vmax will drift less in the wind at longer ranges, something to think about
 
70g Nosler BT's loaded with IMR4831 screamin around 3650fps works for me. Flat shooting bullet out to 300 yards. Normaly a 50/50 change of a pelt wrecker. Shot placement is always the deciding factor with this round. Even hitting a rib in or out under 50 yards makes a mess but you dont have to look for your animal, DRT!!! I've never seen an animal go down quicker with any other round.
 
2 different coyotes, Sierra 100 gr gamekings.
Coyote 1; 200 yds, broadside, chest hit, .243 in & dime sized (or smaller) out.

Coyote 2; 85 yds, broadside, chest hit, .243 in & 4-5" crater out (did NOT hit shoulder blade!).
I don't save hides, just calves; but I don't consider the 243 "fur friendly". JMHO.
Mark
 
CrazyHorse,

The A-Bolt won't let you down! It's a good rifle. I shoot Sierra 85 grain HPBT Gamekings and IMR 4350 powder. I get very good groups from my 700 V and it will also do the job on deer with very careful shot placement.

Bob
 
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