243 Handi & light bullets help

[ken s]

have read on several fourms that handi's in 243 dont like light bullets. I hope this Is not so.I really bought mine to load light bullets. any one have any input on this. or some loads that may work. thanks.app.
                          ken s  

[handirifle]

I don't have the 243 but I think it's the other way around.  Most I read about don't like the heavier bullets.

[MINNESOTA DICK]

I sure hope that it likes light bullets because I have a 243 Ultra that and going to dust off and mount a 6x24 x44 scope on.  I have already reworked the trigger to a nice 1 3/4 pounds.

My plans are to load up some 70 gr TNT's for it and use it to reach out and touch some p-dogs and longer ranges that my Handie 223 can reach.

I got 100 TNT bullets bought to test out.  Will be using Varget, H380, or BLC-2 powders for load development.

Right now the weather is not good for testing out loads. Its too windy and wet out.  With bad weather going on I am prep-ing 300 new cases for my T/C 17 rem.  All ready got 3 different loads worked up ready for testing.

[sureshot2040]

i hope mine likes the heavies
my action is at h&r now having a .243 bull installed.
i want to be able to shoot 80-100 grain bullets and take some deer at extreme ranges this coming season.
what would be the lightest bullet suitable for deer at say 200 plus yards??
sureshot

[MINNESOTA DICK]

Well way back when, I used to go out in the Minnestoa COOOld woods and hunt deer.  I used 80gr and 100gr Whinchester factory ammo on them. They just dropped like getting hit with a ton of bricks. I couldn't tell the differance between the 80gr and 100gr ammo when shooting dear.

Just my thoughts.

[VarmintController]

58gr hornady V-MAX, the best thing i have ever found for my NEF 243. i get 3 inch groups at 200 yrds, and with a better shooter i am sure the gun could do better then that.

[243tom]

I can attest to the 58gr Hornady v max,(factory load), my new Ultra 243 put 4 shots in an inch and a half at 100yds....haven't found a place to shoot 200yds yet,,,but I'm looking to try that range also.
I seem to recall some posts on the old site where some guys had good reports shooting 100 grainers and others hated them.....most of the fellows that needed a heavier bullet and reloaded their own ammo liked the 95 grain better.

[handirifle]

Sureshot
That depends on the bullet.  I'd say minimum of 85gr on a well constructed bullet and heavier is better in my opinion.  The 243 will only handle a max of 100-105gr anyway so we are not talking really heavy bullets.

I've heard many reccomend the 85gr HP Sierra Gameking.  I've used the older 85gr HP for coyote but not deer.  It was devastating on the coyote and would be the same on a broadside shot on a deer.  But I would not take a shoulder shot with it.

[flintlock]

My buddy and I have killed 17 deer combined with Federal Premium 85gr
BTHP...14 were high (shoulder blade) shots...all dropped...closest was about 50 yards...I was hunting over a big peanut field...deer came in behind me...Stopped about 50 yards away...she didn't even twitch when she hit the ground....closest lung shot was this year at 30 yards...blew right through two ribs...2 inch hole...good blood trail...ran about 50 yards...that bullet is plenty tough for whitetails...flintlock

[Bis]

My 243 Ultra hates 100 grain bullets, at least Fed. 100 grain Sierra Gamekings. they go thru the target sideways. I tried 80 grain Win. and it loved them. Was able to hold .5 inch group at 110 yards from a bench. Good luck with your new 243.

[Badnews Bob]

58gr V MAX BT IMR 3031 40gr 3800FPS and 1" groups at 100 yards, Hit a 5 gallon bucket 5 outta 6 times at a guesstamated 500 yards shoots just as well with hornady round nose bullets at 100grs.