Thread For .243 Copper Bullet Loads

[Desertdoc]

We have a bunch of half threads with tid-bits of info. regarding .243 loads. I am getting ahead of the curve and going to start some load testing.

Platform: Rem. 700 SPS Varmint. 26" factory barrel 1:9.25" twist.

Has anyone started working up loads with the various copper projectiles?

Brass: Factory once fired. Various makers.

Primers: CCI LRP.

Powder: RL-17. I have a lot and going to give it a whirl.

Projectiles: Barnes, Hornady, Nosler will be used.

Has anyone worked up loads with roughly the above items?

More to follow over the months.

[JackEllis]

I'm about to do the same with Nosler 55 grain lead-free ballistic tips, IMR4064, CCI large rifle primers, and a mix of Remington and Winchester one-fired cases. The rifle is a Tikka T3 Lite with a 20 inch barrel. I'll be starting at 37 grains and working up in half grain increments.

Nosler's web site doesn't include loads for IMR4064 but the 2011 version of Loadbooks for .243 lists 41.5-45.5 grains of IMR 4064 for the leaded Ballistic Tips. Nosler's guidance for lead-free bullets of the same type and size is to reduce loads by 2 grains so I don't expect to load more than 43.5 grains of powder. This load is for varmints so achieving maximum accuracy will be more important than achieving maximum velocity.

If I can find a dry enough place to shoot, I expect to have partial results on Thursday evening.

[Desertdoc]

My loads will be using 90-100gr for the Cal. Blacktail and Mule Deer populations. That detail might help narrow some things down. lol

[JackEllis]

I've also got 100 grain Remington Soft Point Core-Lokts loaded for testing since I have almost 400 to use up at some point. They'll be coyote rounds until they're no longer legal in California (I'm not interested in keeping the hides). Or maybe just a science project.

[Desertdoc]

Hmmm, we should set up a Coyote hunt. I have some older 60gr Sierra Varminters I can load up. I am down in Sac.

[TMB 1]

So far 80gr GMX in Hornady brass, Winchester primer and 41.6gr of H414. Loaded for a Handi Rifle.

[NapalmCheese]

41 grains of H-4350 under a 90 grain Nosler E-tip in an older Remington 700 BDL.

I stopped seeing velocity gains after 40.5 grains and gave up at 41 grains after putting shooting a 1 inch 3 yard group at 200 yards. I haven't loaded up another batch since and have no idea it'll shoot that well all of the time, but I was happy when it happened.

[Desertdoc]

Anyone have chrono data for the above?

Goods stuff, thank you for taking the time to post.

[TMB 1]

I don't, broke my chronograph awhile ago and haven't replaced it yet.

[NapalmCheese]

Anyone have chrono data for the above?

Goods stuff, thank you for taking the time to post.

For the 41 grains of H4350 under 90 E-tip:
2940 fps average over 3 shots, slower than I would have anticipated and slower than I'd like, but not terrible.

The current Nosler data says 36-40 grains for 85/90 grain bullets, including the E-tip. Some boxes of E-tips tell you not to load past the midrange load data but the .243 E-tips seem to lack that warning, they also have a groove in the shank. I didn't see any pressure signs with Federal Large Rifle Primers and (I'd have to check but I THINK it was) PPU brass.

Velocity stopped increasing between 40.5 and 41 grains and had a good group so I stopped shooting.

Nosler suggests a jump IIRC, something like 0.05 or so. Whatever they specify is what I started with and don't currently see a need to fiddle with. I need to put a few more together (now that I have some more bullets) and ensure consistency. That being said, my wife (her rifle) doesn't hunt in CA much so we won't be using the E-tip load much I imagine.

[Desertdoc]

Napalm, what is the twist for your barrel? According to Berger stability calculator I should not be able to stabilize the E-Tip.

[NapalmCheese]

Napalm, what is the twist for your barrel? According to Berger stability calculator I should not be able to stabilize the E-Tip.

I haven't measured. It's a factory barrel, but I can't recall the date of manufacture and the rifle was purchased used.

[NapalmCheese]

I haven't measured. It's a factory barrel, but I can't recall the date of manufacture and the rifle was purchased used.

Survey says, it likely has a 9-1/8 twist (if I read the internet correctly).

[NapalmCheese]

This is the group from that load at 200 yards, no keyholing, right around an inch (10mm and super manly thumb for scale). This is the only 3 shots fired from that gun with that load so who knows if it's repeatable yet.