.243 varmint grenade

[Robert lehman]

Has anyone had good results shooting 62grn varmint grenade's out of there .243 handi rifles?
If so what load worked for you?

[bigvarmnt]

It doesn't seem that anyone has tried them. I plan to. I've used them in .224 with good results in accuracy and killing coyotes with little damage. Hope someone has some experience with them and will post their results.

[Robert lehman]

Thanks Big Varmnt looks like i will be the first. I have 100 of them and three different powders. I will start with the low charge and work up in half grain increments. If nothing else i will get some trigger time.

[Manitobahunter]

  I haven't used them in .243 but if they are anything like the .204 they will be deadly.  Only used them on gophers and magpies and it is a blast.  They vaporize gophers and turn thr magpies into an empty pile of feathers.  Best part is you can see it happen in the scope.  It may take a bit of work to find the right load but thats half the fun.

  Cliff

[bigvarmnt]

Rl, Glad you got some to try. I still have to order some.
Let us know how they do. How long are they?
Good Luck!

[bigvarmnt]

Cliff, Is your 204 a Handi?

[Robert lehman]

Finally was able to get out and shoot today even though it was raining of and on. I set up targets at 100yrd and was shooting of a rest. All groups were five shots and i was using 62gr Varmint Grenades. Temp of the barrel was taken after every shot and was kept between 52-58 deg. Rifle is a .243 Handi heavy barrel 20" long with a 6-24x50 scope. The target with the purple dot i was shooting 43.0gr of H380 the group was 1.610 ctc and the fourth shot was the flier. The yellow target i was shooting 36.4 gr of IMR 3031 group size 1.440 ctc fourth shot also a flier. The blue target i was shooting 37.6 gr of IMR 3031 group size was 1.550 ctc. The green target i was shooting 38.8 gr IMR 3031 group was 1.225 first shot being a flier and the rest in a ragged hole. Ran out of daylight didn't have a chance to shoot a second group to double check but i will next time.

Bigvarmnt they measured .975 long.

[bigvarmnt]

Thanks RL, That makes them a little longer than the 75gr V-Maxes I have. I hope to get some Monday. Keep testing them, it's fun. I want to see how they do on Yotes. I have had NO damage with the .224s so far. Is your Handi HB really 20" long? Good Luck

[Robert lehman]

Bigvarmnt they are long longer than the 70grn Nosler i was using previously and for being a lighter bullet i think it might help with the accuracy IMO. I loaded up some IMR 4895 4064 today hopefully Sat. i can shoot again. I found another reloading manual that has a lot more powder selection which took me from the 3 in my first post to 9 powders i have under my reloading bench. Might need to buy more varmint grenades to test them all.I don't know how your supposed to measure the barrel but if you break the gun open and measure from breech to muzzle it is 22" i then subtract the brass length of 2.045 and will just say i have a 20" barrel or at least a 20" usable barrel don't know if this is right or not. And once i get her dialed in hopefully i will have some pics of coyote's and ground hog's to post.

[Manitobahunter]

Bigvarmnt,  I don't know how I missed your question but yes it is in a handi.  I have a 243 in a handi but haven't try the VGs in it.

  Cliff

[bigvarmnt]

I had planned on getting some .243 VGs today but may not be able to get there. That barrel length has always bothered me too. I always want to call the length of rifling the barrel length but guess it don't work that way.
I got 4lbs of free powder from Gander Mtn lately. So now I have more variables too. Can't wait for the pics. Weather is starting to get better around here. I've been in 80 degrees lately and there were lots of people out and about. Here I haven't seen anybody out for a few months Good Luck!

Cliff, No worries, How does your 243 Handi shoot and what bullets best? Sounds like that 204 with VGs is a HOOT! I'll prob. try one before toooo long
 

[Manitobahunter]

Bigvarmnt,  I've been using Hornady 100gr SP and 55gr Noslers with good results.  With the 55gr noslers I didn't find a need to try the VGs in the 243.

[Robert lehman]

Loaded up some rounds this morning 39.0 grains IMR 3031 with the VG. Mounted my bi pod to my Handi and went to my buddies farm. Set up a target at 100 yards shot a couple of times to see if i got a good group like before with the bi pod it was shooting 1" groups not bad. Was in the drive way talking to my buddy on the way out and looked in his pasture and there was a ground hog lazered it at 164 yards. Set up on the hood of my van and thwack he never moved. I had my buddy take a picture with his cell phone and he sent to my phone but i don't have the usb cable here at the house so you will haft to wait for a picture on Monday. Drove down the road by his pond saw another one out snuck in around a pine tree and he ran toward his hole and stop big mistake 30 yards out pulled the trigger and thwack love the sound of those VG when they hit. Packed up went to my other buddies farm and drove around his fields. saw a g-hog out in an old bean field lazered it at 266 yards set up shot and missed. waited for a half hour to see if he would come back out no luck. Scanned the field on the other side of the road and saw anther one to far fore the range finder. So i walked the edge of the field and up over a noel and there he was 50yrds out and he stood up fore me he wasn't to smart either shot him free handed.  Three g-hog's and missed one in two hours not bad fore the first time hunting with the Handi.

[bigvarmnt]

Sounds like a good short range bullet Just kidding The expert at the shop I went to get the V.G.s talked me out of them Now I'll have to get some for the close shots I'm struggling with the bullets I have. Did a little forearm work last night and it's pouring today. Sounds like you have a good spot with HOGS. Thanks for the report and waiting to see the pics

[Robert lehman]

What bullets did you get Bigvarmnt? I just loaded my last VG and was going to get some more and thought I might also get some Sierra Varminter 85gr. to try out. Before the VG i was using Nosler 70gr. ballistic tip boat tails my gun didn't care for them. As far as g-hogs i live in Wayne county Ohio and we are blessed with them as long the yotes moving in don't wipe them out. Back in the day before i was married and had two kids I could shoot 70+ g-hogs a year now i am lucking to break double didgets.
Hopefully you get the load and group your looking fore.

[bigvarmnt]

I'm trying 75 gr V-max with Varget right now and am setting them out farther. I have some Sierra 1500 60 gr HP Varminter and some Sierra 1530 85 gr HP but they're GKs I bought here. Have a cheap scope I need to replace. Have other powders not tried yet. Wanted some 3031 but they were out. Too many variables. Got the 243 was hopen for 300+ yd snippin at yotes but not hitting good enough for that. Wanted to stay at 70-75gr bullets. I'm on the NE edge of Indiana. Used to go to Zanesville a lot in H.S. as my buddy was in love with a sweet little Buckeye with two cute lil sisters. Our GHs are starting to come back here. I have smaller rounds for them but would pop one with 243 if I get it to shoot good enough. Did the VGs tear them up much? Looking for those pics. Sounds like yours is hitting good.

[Robert lehman]

BV it took me a little while to find a good load tried different bullets from 55gr-100gr the VG are my light loads for small critters would like to get 85gr-100gr load for coyote. As fare as VG being fur friendly I would lean toward no.