Which 243 light varmint bullet?

[DalesCarpentry]

Which 243 light varmint bullet do you like? I know my rifle really likes the 58 grain Molly coated Hornady VMax factory ammo. I can shoot 3 shot groups at 300 yards that measure 7/8''. I hope I can reproduce these results hand loading!!! http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=777702&t=11082005 I would also like to try the Combined Technology Ballistic Silvertip Bullets  55 Grain. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=739290&t=11082005 I have never shot these CT ballistic silvertips before and really have no idea how they will shoot in my Remington 700 SPS Varmint with a 1 in 9 1/8'' twist barrel. I kind of would like to stick with Molly coated bullets because of less barrel wear. I like my cartridges fast and flat. That is one reason I am fond of the 204 Ruger cartridge. That is another story though. I will be pushing this bullet close 4,000 FPS. This is why I like the molly coated. Have you guys ever used either of these bullets and which would you choose. Thanks Dale

[Savage]

WOW, Dale! 7/8" 300yd groups!! I know benchrest shooters that would be happy with that!!! Doubt that you'll be able to duplicate that performance with handloads. I never loaded anything that light in .243 so can't help you there. You have a shooter for sure!
Savage

[DalesCarpentry]

Here is the 300 yard target. Yes it is a real shooter and could not be happier with it. Dale

[PartsMan]

I would start with the Hornady reloading manual.
You can buy the same bullets. I'll bet if you use the case and primer they recommend
one of the powders listed will come very close.

I was able to duplicate the Winchester ammo my rifle liked.
Same groups, same POA.

I use the CTs in my 223. Work great for me.

[DalesCarpentry]

The Hornady reloading manual is on my short list of must haves. I can only hope to reproduce the load my rifle likes. Dale

[quickdtoo]

Pull a bullet from one of those rounds, weigh the powder, and see what loads for similar types of powders exist in data. Keep in mind that Mfrs use powders that us mortals can't get, but it would be worth a try, post a nice pic of the powder so someone might be able to ID it for you to pick one that may be a match. Once you have an idea what the powder is, use start data with the suspected powder to work up a load. One member did that trying to duplicate the Win Whitebox 45gr JHP ammo that shoots so good in many rifles and isn't available any more. The other alternative which may work just as well is to just pick a Hornady recommended powder for that bullet and work the load up, which is what 99% of handloaders would do more than likely, there's no guarantee that either method will work, but ya gotta start somewhere.

Tim

[DalesCarpentry]

Thanks again Tim. I may just give that a try. I have a RCBS  bullet puller that a member donated to me. Can someone explain how it works. Thanks Dale

[quickdtoo]

You'll need a 6mm collet, here's the instructions from RCBS...

http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/instructions/Standard_Bullet_Puller_Instructions.pdf

[DalesCarpentry]

I am just ticked off right now!!!!! I know I have 8 or 10 of those rounds around and can't seem to find them anywhere. I hate to go buy a box of them just to pull a bullet. Oh well Dale

[DalesCarpentry]

I think I know where they are. They are in the garage with my range stuff I bet. I will have to look for them tomorrow. Dale

[quickdtoo]

I wouldn't buy any of em, you can buy a pound of powder for what you spend on a box of ammo.

Tim

[PartsMan]

I am just ticked off right now!!!!! I know I have 8 or 10 of those rounds around and can't seem to find them anywhere. I hate to go buy a box of them just to pull a bullet. Oh well Dale

I do that sort of thing all the time.

[DalesCarpentry]

Well I received my Lee 243 dies today. These are the ones I ended up getting. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=505106&t=11082005   I think about all I need now would be a Lee hand auto prime, set of calipers, case lube, bullets, primers and powder. I think I have all the other basic stuff and am sure I will need other items down the road. Dale

[Graybeard]

The Hornady 65 V-MAX is my bullet of choice. You are kidding yourself with the Moly it has more negatives than positives and eventually you'll find that out. Some day you'll probably be posting to tell us you found your barrel rusted out from the moisture it trapped inside the barrel and you didn't realize it until it was too late. Or you'll tell us it built up too thick in there and ran the pressures so high it busted the barrel wide open or some such sad story.

Those wild claims made for moly never were true and most folks by now have figured it out many the hard way.

[DalesCarpentry]

The Hornady 65 V-MAX is my bullet of choice. You are kidding yourself with the Moly it has more negatives than positives and eventually you'll find that out. Some day you'll probably be posting to tell us you found your barrel rusted out from the moisture it trapped inside the barrel and you didn't realize it until it was too late. Or you'll tell us it built up too thick in there and ran the pressures so high it busted the barrel wide open or some such sad story.

Those wild claims made for moly never were true and most folks by now have figured it out many the hard way.

I had no idea there were such problems with the molly coated bullets!!!!!!! I will have to do a search and look into it. Thanks for the heads up GB. Dale

[songdoghunter]

My hunting partner shoots the 55 grain CT silvertips loaded with 52 grains H-414. We chronied the round at 3950+ FPS. Shoots a 3/4" group at 100yds.