18” barrel .243 win load recommendations

[Ozarkansas]

Not sure how destructive you want to go but I was able to throw down my first Berger test this morning.

I definitely err more on the side of high weight retention over explosiveness, partly because I’ve experienced some very poor blood trails from 6mms when they don’t exit, and partly because I’ve shot a lot more animals at <10 yards than I have >150 yards, and I hate losing meat. In that regard I think losing some speed might be a good thing

 

[SloppyJ]

4

Berger 185gr Juggernauts are your huckleberry for that.

Appreciate that Form. I will check them out. I looked at those previously but nothing in the description stood out, they only highlight the bullets ability to maintain accuracy as it migrates below supersonic speed. Nothing about jacket thickness until I started reading forums.

Does the same hold true for the 230 OTM and others in the tactical line? I'll be loading for a 300PRC as soon as it's finished and will want something with similar performance.

The worst part about this whole deal is other than a few depredation hunts, you play the load dev game all year just to get a month of testing during rifle season.

 

[Formidilosus]

4

Appreciate that Form. I will check them out. I looked at those previously but nothing in the description stood out, they only highlight the bullets ability to maintain accuracy as it migrates below supersonic speed. Nothing about jacket thickness until I started reading forums.

Does the same hold true for the 230 OTM and others in the tactical line? I'll be loading for a 300PRC as soon as it's finished and will want something with similar performance.

The worst part about this whole deal is other than a few depredation hunts, you play the load dev game all year just to get a month of testing during rifle season.

Most of the thicker jacketed OTM’s and Target bullets will have less fragmentation than the VLD’s.

 

[Ozarkansas]

Update: I broke into my dad’s shop to get all my .243 reloading components from my high school days. I have a ton of 95 grain Nosler BTs and partitions left over, as well as 2 boxes of 85 grain TSX and about 500 85 grain Sierra gameking BTHPs. I’m going to keep my load development limited to those options. I’m also hoping to use staball 6.5 since it works so well in my 6.5x55 and I have plenty of it. Once I get my barrel back and start shooting groups I’ll post another update.

 

[SloppyJ]

Can't wait to see what kind of numbers you're able to get. What's your experience with the Staball line? I picked up some HD to try in my 300prc. Have you tested the temp stability at all?

 

[SloppyJ]

Any updates? I broke down and got a lefty tikka with a 1:8. Going to chop it to 18", thread it for my dilligent 6mm can, and if I can find someone I trust, chamber to 243ai.

 

[Ozarkansas]

Any updates? I broke down and got a lefty tikka with a 1:8. Going to chop it to 18", thread it for my dilligent 6mm can, and if I can find someone I trust, chamber to 243ai.

I’ve got some loads ready to test but haven’t been able to shoot them yet- family life has been too busy and there’s too much to do around the house.

I did shoot some PPU 90 grain soft points through it using my brother’s harvester Evo (since I have neighbors nearby I don’t shoot on my property unless it’s suppressed, but I don’t have my own suppressor yet) and it was uncomfortably loud but hearing safe, in the high 130s peak decibel range. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get my magnetospeed to register with the suppressor so I don’t have velocity numbers

 

[SloppyJ]

I’ve got some loads ready to test but haven’t been able to shoot them yet- family life has been too busy and there’s too much to do around the house.

I did shoot some PPU 90 grain soft points through it using my brother’s harvester Evo (since I have neighbors nearby I don’t shoot on my property unless it’s suppressed, but I don’t have my own suppressor yet) and it was uncomfortably loud but hearing safe, in the high 130s peak decibel range. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get my magnetospeed to register with the suppressor so I don’t have velocity numbers

Bummer. I'm waiting on a dilligent defense wolfhunter which is a 6mm specific can so I'm hoping that will help tame it down. Nows the time to get one with the quick approvals if you didn't know.

 

[turbo406]

Any updates? I broke down and got a lefty tikka with a 1:8. Going to chop it to 18", thread it for my dilligent 6mm can, and if I can find someone I trust, chamber to 243ai.

Currently have a 10 twist tikka at the smith getting the 18" treatment, it shot 75 vmax at 3350 ish and a half inch three shot group before ( yes i know thats not enough data and its not truly a half inch gun) so we will see how it affects the gun and velocity. Should be done in a week or so.

 

[mullmann]

Ruger m77 mkII with a 22” shilen sporter barrel 1-9.25 twist. Not sure how many rounds are down the barrel but lots.

243 Lapua brass, sierra 85gr gameking #1530’s

41gr IMR 4350 avg 3080, 215 primers
41gr H4350 avg 3130, cci 200

Magneto chrono used to get velocity.

 

[Ozarkansas]

I got my suppressor in this past week which means I Finally got to do a little bit of shooting. Unfortunately I don’t have any chrono data for any of these loads out of my 22” barrel, but here they are out of the 18” barrel:
3 shot strings:
90 grain PPU soft point- 2864, 2878, 2879

95 grain federal fusion- 2784, 2782, 2781

Single pressure checks for handloads:

95 partition w/ 42.9 grains staball 6.5- 2811 FPS with no pressure signs

95 Nosler ballistic tip w/ 42.9 grains staball 6.5- 2839 FPS with slight flattening of primers

 

[SloppyJ]

I got my suppressor in this past week which means I Finally got to do a little bit of shooting. Unfortunately I don’t have any chrono data for any of these loads out of my 22” barrel, but here they are out of the 18” barrel:
3 shot strings:
90 grain PPU soft point- 2864, 2878, 2879

95 grain federal fusion- 2784, 2782, 2781

Single pressure checks for handloads:

95 partition w/ 42.9 grains staball 6.5- 2811 FPS with no pressure signs

95 Nosler ballistic tip w/ 42.9 grains staball 6.5- 2839 FPS with slight flattening of primers

I'd be zinging that partition at anything that moves. Ic csnt think of a more perfect bullet for the style of hunting that we have up here.

On another note, what straightwall cartridge are you running this year?

 

[Ozarkansas]

I'd be zinging that partition at anything that moves. Ic csnt think of a more perfect bullet for the style of hunting that we have up here.

On another note, what straightwall cartridge are you running this year?

Yeah the ballistic tip is the hotness on this forum, but my experience with the partition at short range has been phenomenal. I’ll see how they both group before I worry about making a decision.

As far as straight wall season goes, I had the foresight to buy a Marlin 1895 XLR in 45/70 12 years ago, so I’m all set

 

[SloppyJ]

Yeah the ballistic tip is the hotness on this forum, but my experience with the partition at short range has been phenomenal. I’ll see how they both group before I worry about making a decision.

As far as straight wall season goes, I had the foresight to buy a Marlin 1895 XLR in 45/70 12 years ago, so I’m all set

Never used the BT but it is popular here. However my experience has been the same as yours with the partition. Everything I've shot with one has folded. If the 6mm variant performs the same, it's going to be hard to beat.

Cool deal on the 45/70. Deep down that's what I want but I don't have one currently. If I bought a 45/70 it'd be extra expensive because I'd pickup another suppressor as well. So I'm going to stick with a 350 legend, more than likely, because it works with two of the cans I already own.

 

[Ozarkansas]

I shot the 95 grain ballistic tips the other day and unfortunately they didn’t do very well. My 5 shot group was 2.75”, so I think I’m going to move on to the next options. On the bright side, there were no pressure signs despite the hot weather and velocities were acceptable at 2845. Tomorrow I’m going to shoot 95 grain partitions, 100 grain hornady BTSP, 85 grain barnes TSX (which was a very accurate load in the original 22” barrel length), and some factory 95 grain fusion ammo. It’s rare I get this much time to shoot so hopefully one of these is a winner.

 

[ARK_Ginger]

Nothing overly useful to add, but I'd probably just use factory fusions or hornady american whitetail. You likely don't have the barrel twist to use them, but the 103eld-x has worked good in my 16" 6mm ARC.

 

[SloppyJ]

Man, if those partitions get anywhere close to a good group, I bet they'd be perfect for the kind of hunting we have here. If they weren't $1/ea I'd love to use them.

I just finished my 18" 6 Creed and have 108eldms and 108 bergers to try. About to load some up right now actually.

Problem is finding a good spot to shoot and this damn heat we have. I spent 5hrs catching crappie today and I'm roasted.