Jump to content

.243 Winchester Hand Loading Thead


shawnhu
 Share

Recommended Posts

My Barnes data (from their web site) on the 80gr TTSX shows MAX loads of IMR 4350 of 46.0grs and H 4350 of 45.5grs.

Yes, as the bullet gets heavier, the IMR requires more powder. I suppose its a better light weight bullet pounder in that it requires less to produce. It is a faster burning powder, but not by much. 113 and 114 on my list.

X-Calibur Lighting Systems

http://facebook.com/XCaliburLightingSystems

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I work up loads by half grain increments, even less with my precision stuff. If you want to work up 1 grain at a time, once you find which load your rifle likes, increase and decrease by half a grain to fine tune. If your rest is solid and your shooting form is good, 3 shot groups is fine. Once you find the accuracy node, then you can fine tune some more with the overall length of the cartridge. Usually the bullet seated as close to the lands as possible will give the best accuracy.

The 90gr Nosler Accubond is what I recommend for big game. And the 70 gr. Ballistic Tip for varmints. I've sent hundreds of prairie dogs and woodchucks to varmint heaven with that bullet.

I have the Lightweight barrel, it's not going to like much more than 3 shots at a time.

X-Calibur Lighting Systems

http://facebook.com/XCaliburLightingSystems

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wasn't going to get into COL and seating depth from the lands yet, but I'm sure that's next along with action screw torquing.

I have the 55gr and 90gr on order from midsouth along with some Hornady 100 interlocks.

I was also looking at the Hornady SST and Nosler E-Tip as well as the Barnes TSX. Tr BC is great on the copper stuff, but I found expansion to be a very steep drop vs speed/range.

X-Calibur Lighting Systems

http://facebook.com/XCaliburLightingSystems

 

If this is your first time reloading, whoa!  Don't mess with all those bullets. 

 

Pick ONE or maybe two, no more.  Try a couple powders AND mess with seating depth.  If you're monkeying around with all those bullets and a couple different powders, you'll have a heck of a time keeping it all straight.

 

I have friend who is/was new to it and is very sharp.  He had way too many things going on to do it right.

 

As always, YMMV. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If this is your first time reloading, whoa! Don't mess with all those bullets.

Pick ONE or maybe two, no more. Try a couple powders AND mess with seating depth. If you're monkeying around with all those bullets and a couple different powders, you'll have a heck of a time keeping it all straight.

I have friend who is/was new to it and is very sharp. He had way too many things going on to do it right.

As always, YMMV.

I know my limitations, in almost everything I do in life. I ordered 3 bullets because they were available, and I was paying shipping anyway. I will only work with one bullet type, powder type, primer type, and casing I start and document my results before switching anything.

X-Calibur Lighting Systems

http://facebook.com/XCaliburLightingSystems

Link to comment
Share on other sites

any of you interested in some once shot .243 brass? I was cleaning out my basement today and found about 120 spent casings, I don't reload and have no intention of doing so........... Let me know if interested.

Are we talking free or a charge associated? I would never refuse something for free...

X-Calibur Lighting Systems

http://facebook.com/XCaliburLightingSystems

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Midsouth finally shipped my order today. I wanted to have them add in a few items, such as a bullet puller, but their system is pretty weird, and wasn't able to even though the order sat there for nearly 3 business days.

Maybe by the end of the week, I'll be able to prep some brass!

X-Calibur Lighting Systems

http://facebook.com/XCaliburLightingSystems

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've never tumbled a single piece of brass..........I have cleaned the exterior of case necks with some Nevr Dull:

 

http://www.nevrdull.com/

 

Works great but smells like azz.  After polishing, I wipe them off  with some rubbing alcohol.  If I had space on my bench, I might have a tumbler but that ain't happening............

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I've never tumbled a single piece of brass..........I have cleaned the exterior of case necks with some Nevr Dull:

 

http://www.nevrdull.com/

 

Works great but smells like azz.  After polishing, I wipe them off  with some rubbing alcohol.  If I had space on my bench, I might have a tumbler but that ain't happening............

I never have cleaned cases other than wiping resizing lube off them.

Never seemed to affect the performance of my loads..

Of course, my casings look like crap, just ask Bubba..

He and I swapped some casings.. The ones he gave me were tumbled and looked beautiful. The ones I sent him were kinda grundgy looking, but I guess they worked OK... I felt a little sheepish...<<blush>>...

BTW, Larry...When I was in the Navy we used NEVERDULL to polish the brass work around the lifelines and other fixtures on the deck of my destroyer..

Worked GREAT, even when dealing with salt water corrosion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It depends how the OAL is measured, base of shell to the tip of the bullet normally is 2.709" - 2.710". That is for a factory chamber There are some tools that use a device that simulates the bore in the chamber and measures where the bullet contacts that hole.It also could depend on the reamer that was used to make the chamber. As custom sized,tight necked ect.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shawn, Are you sure your OAL is good?

 

From the Hornady web site.................................

 

100 GR. SPR BTSP  Hodgdon  H380  .243"  2.650"  34.0  2639  43,600 CUP  36.0  2770  50,100 CUP 

 

 

They have the OAL at 2.650"  Of course that is THEIR suggested OAL......................he might have checked the depth to the lands and determined that 2.686" was a good starting point??

 

 

 

DON'T FORGET YOUR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I never have cleaned cases other than wiping resizing lube off them.

Never seemed to affect the performance of my loads..

Of course, my casings look like crap, just ask Bubba..

He and I swapped some casings.. The ones he gave me were tumbled and looked beautiful. The ones I sent him were kinda grundgy looking, but I guess they worked OK... I felt a little sheepish...<<blush>>...

BTW, Larry...When I was in the Navy we used NEVERDULL to polish the brass work around the lifelines and other fixtures on the deck of my destroyer..

Worked GREAT, even when dealing with salt water corrosion.

 

 

I never complained. I dropped them in the tumbler and they looked like the ones I sent you in a couple hours.  My tumbler kit was the best 45 bucks I ever spent.  It is not on my bench.  it is in the garage so I do not have to hear the noisy thing.  I used to clean by hand, but when I load I load bunches at once.  Much easier to tumble.  I agree I doubt very much it does a thing for accuracy.  However at camp I can shave in the reflection.  What am I saying I do not shave at camp. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.

×
×
  • Create New...