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Posted: 11/15/2009 1:35:40 PM EDT
| I worked up a .243 WInchester hunting load a while back using 85gr Sierra Game Kings and Hodgdon 4350. They are running a little low and I haven't been able to find 4350 in like 8 months so I was thinking of working up a new load with 95gr Nosler BTs and Reloader-19. Anyone have a load with those components (or any components) they would like to share? Just looking for some data on bullet/powder combos that people have had good results with. |
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I had the same dilemma a few months ago with my .243. I called Rich Machholz at Sierra Bullets, one of their bulletsmiths. He recommended 36.5gr of IMR 3031. I tried it and it shot just under an inch with the 85gr SGKs. I played with the powder a little and ended up with 36.9, and closed it up to under a half inch at 100yds. This is with Remington cases, and R 9 1/2 primers. Seated to what the Sierra manual calls for. I think its something like 2.650.
ETA: This load shows low pressure in my Sako. Could probably be stepped up a bit. |
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Quoted:
I had the same dilemma a few months ago with my .243. I called Rich Machholz at Sierra Bullets, one of their bulletsmiths. He recommended 36.5gr of IMR 3031. I tried it and it shot just under an inch with the 85gr SGKs. I played with the powder a little and ended up with 36.9, and closed it up to under a half inch at 100yds. This is with Remington cases, and R 9 1/2 primers. Seated to what the Sierra manual calls for. I think its something like 2.650. ETA: This load shows low pressure in my Sako. Could probably be stepped up a bit. Have you gotten any kills with the 85gr GKs? Any whitetails? Wondering how they perform. |
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My dad and I both use them, and he loaded a bunch for some friends that wanted some. I would guess probably at least 60 deer could be credited to them. All one shot kills, but they don't blow up meat too bad. My dad had a few that didn't get exit holes, but they went about 15yds, before dropping. The guys he reloaded them for, said every one, about 40, had killed a deer. Rich at Sierra also uses them for their big MO whitetails. They are super accurate, which don't mean too much for minute of deer, but if a turkey walks out, its nice to know you could dot his eye.
We have also used 100gr Hornady BTSP and flat base, with excellent results. Our accuracy loads for that come in around 41.5/ IMR 4350. I am still experimenting with other powders. I may have something for IMR 4831, but haven't narrowed it down yet. My best group with 43.7 of that, came in at .5in, but I think it will do better. This load was showing real low pressure. Primers still had rounded corners. They also perform well on deer. I would be tempted to try the 95gr Hornady SSTs. I use the SST in my .300RUM and my .338RUM. Both, with my handloads, will do 1/4in groups. I have only shot 3 deer, all in the neck with them, so I don't have any idea how they will do on a chest shot. On the neck shots , two were 170lb+ bucks in full rut, with thick necks, and they didn't blow up. Made about a quarter sized exit hole, after disintegrating the neck bones. Same for the doe, that was about 120lbs. I use a 165gr in the .300 and 225gr in the .338. I get good accuracy out of standard lead nosed bullets in those rifles, but like the polymer tip, since it won't deform in the magazine, when the gun is fired. I do have a load for 7mm Rem Mag, with Nosler BTs at 120gr. My brother shot a deer with it, and the exit hole in the rib cage, you could put your fist into. It wasn't meant to be a deer bullet, but he borrowed my rifle and that's what it was set up for at the time. One of the guys that hunts with us, uses the SST 150gr Hornady factory load for his .30TC. The couple of deer he has used it on, had about a 2in exit hole. |
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