Mossberg 100 ATR .243 Hand Load Question

[ShooterSATX]

Last year my wife decided that she wanted to join me hunting...now I officially have nothing sacred for myself!

Anyway, I looked at several entry-level rifles and opted for the 100 ATR in .243. We hunt in South Texas and the .243 is very common here and plenty strong enough to take these things down.

The first tiem I took it to the Range, I was all over the place...I was shooting Federal Premium 100gr and couldn't get anything smaller than 8 inches @ 100yds. I did a little research and decided to try a lighter bullet and see what she did.

Well, after a few different weights, I was getting 3/4-inch groups (or less) consistantly (3-shot) with Remmi 80gr PSP's. I was very impressed for a sub-$300 gun.

I took her to the Range two weeks ago to sight in her new scope. Although she is not quite as good a shot as I am (she just needs more time behind the lead launcher), she went through 30 rounds into less than a 2-inch circle. We spent a couple of hours on the Range and I explained to her the essentials...let the barrel cool, breath control, slowly squeeze the trigger, etc...she did wonderful.

Okay, after all this babble and puffing out my chest because my wife is pretty darn cool, now my question:

                  Has anyone come across a good handload for this gun in this caliber? I have just ordered a couple of simple reloaders (thanks PowPow)  and I am ready to experiment.

Cheers!

[huntswithdogs]

Shooter, let me start this off by saying "I own a 243, but it's not a Mossberg". I have been reloading for mine for over 25 years so I an say I've tried a lot of different stuff through it.

 I've only found one loading of factory ammo that will come anywhere near my handloads. The Grey Box Winchesters are the only ones I'd buy if for some reason I didn't have reloads on hand.

The powders I've found to work well in mine are H414, H4831, IMR4350. Most of the bullets I've shot have been 90-100grs. I used the IMR4350 along with 85gr HPs to collect my first few deer. I've loaded some lighter stuff but don't remember the powder. It may have been IMR4895, but again, I'm not absolutely sure.

My favorite load is H4831 and a 100gr Hornady RN. Great for the close in(Under 150yds) deer hunting I do here in the mountains. Most of the deer I've killed have been with a 100gr pill of one persuasion or the other.

HWD

[wyohandi]

I loaded some 95grSSTs for my daughters ATR and they shoot about 1 1/4"
I used Varget can't recall exact load but it was on the starting load end.

[ShooterSATX]

I recently started to handload myself and have found a pretty decent hunting combo for the .243.

I am using 80gr Sierra GameKings over 38gr of IMR4064 with a Federal 210 Primer. I took it out to the range last Friday (with Gustav knocking) and shot 2 groups. I was suprised to find pretty tight groups considering 10-15mph crosswinds and some 25mph gusts. I shot .910 and .990 3-shot groups. I figured this is pretty good for a soft point load. I bet I could have done even tighter without the wind.

I guess I'll know how good they are when Bambi season kicks off...the rest is up to my wife.

Good luck and thanks!

Shooter

[nelson34]

the best loads i have found for my ATR are hornady 87grn bthp over 38.5 grns of H-380 w/ a COAL of 2.66 using federal 210 primers. three shot groups are touching. i fireformed all the brass so i am just neck sizing.