Just getting started

[JT708]

Just ordered press and dies for a 243 this morning.But I will be reloading for 30-30
and 7mm08 also when I can get the dies. What powders and primers would y'all recommend?
The rifles are a savage axis, 1954 model marlin 336- 30-30, cva 7mm08 all 20" barrels. I'm
sure I will have more questions when I get more components and books.What
manuals would y'all suggest? Very limited budget.

Thank You for any and all replies.

 

[swampratt]

I really like the Hornady 87gr V-max for the .243
I have 2 .243 rifles and both shoot stupid accurate with those and no deer has taken another step when hit with one of those pills.
The 30-30 I have just does not put them down like the faster rifles.
I resorted to 125gr HP bullets in it but have not punched a deer with those yet.
The 150-170gr bullets just like to pencil through .
Do not get me wrong the 30-30 will kill them but not many bang flops in my experience with it.

If you mix cases like Federal and Remington and Winchester your accuracy will suffer.

Stick to a case your rifle likes and anneal each time if you are after utmost accuracy.
If you are just plinking I would plink with the 30-30 and cast bullets.
Those are very accurate at 100 yards with a cast load and easy on the wallet.
Very easy to make and if you go cast you will need to flare the case mouth.
Lee makes a universal flare die.
Get it and you will like it.

You can use all kinds of different powders in a cast 30-30 load.
I have used 2400, 3031, varget, IMR4064, H4350 to name a few.
In my 30-06 Cast loads i use Red Dot powder.
I also Use Red Dot in 32-20, .243 and .308 for reduced loads.

Handloading is addictive and fun sometimes.
Case prep is not much fun though.
You will be searching for the cases after firing them if you use a semi auto.

You will get ate up with the search for certain head stamped cases and certain primers and powders once you become addicted.
It is a disease you can't shake.

 

[BobbyV]

Just ordered press and dies for a 243 this morning.But I will be reloading for 30-30
and 7mm08 also when I can get the dies. What powders and primers would y'all recommend?
The rifles are a savage axis, 1954 model marlin 336- 30-30, cva 7mm08 all 20" barrels. I'm
sure I will have more questions when I get more components and books.

Thank You for any and all replies.

I've got various bits and pieces to start reloading myself . . . just haven't taken the time to unbox it all and get it setup.

 

[dennishoddy]

Nosler makes a 55 grain ballistic tip for the .243 that will let you punch through the 4000 FPS velocity range.
Killed several deer with that bullet even though it’s listed as a varmint bullet.

 

[swampratt]

Like dennishoddy I also like a small bullet.
My very favorite is the 55gr V-max in .223 actually .224" diameter.
10 years ago I tossed stones at small weight bullets for deer.
After testing penetration and shooting them I changed my tune.

I also Have Nosler in 55gr varmint for the .223/5.56 rifles I have and those are very accurate also.

 

[DRC458]

Nosler makes a 55 grain ballistic tip for the .243 that will let you punch through the 4000 FPS velocity range.
Killed several deer with that bullet even though it’s listed as a varmint bullet.

You keep it up and you're gonna' force me to try those things. The lightest bullet I've shot through the .243 is a 60-grain and it's very accurate, but I don't remember what velocity I'm getting. The first loads I put together for that rifle were with re-formed .308 brass and that 60-grain HP pushed by (IIRC) 748 and they would stay under 1" at 100 all day long if I did my part.


.

 

[osupoke]

I apologize for hijacking a thread, but for you guys going light and fast in the .243 for deer, how far do you feel like your effective range is? I'm new to the .243 and my initial loads were all 100 grain bullets.

 

[magna19]

Just my opinion using 6mm bullets. If your using 243 win for deer use a 90/95 or 100 gr with jacket designed for deer size game. Those light bullets will bite ya sooner or later.

 

[swampratt]

I will say this at 2200 fps 150 gr 30-30 flat nose I had my scope zero at 250 yards.
Yea I killed them dead with it but they all ran about 40 yards then piled up.

I could keep those in a 4" circle at that distance.
The .243 I have will shoot more than 2X tighter than that 30-30.
Farthest I have killed a deer was 300 yards.
I hunt and most shots are under 100 yards.

Others here I bet have shot much farther.
Some counties in Oklahoma used to allowed rifle for Fall turkey season and 250 yards on those in the pooter was an easy shot.
Yes the poop shoot.
Kills and guts the bird at the same time.

Depends on how accurately you can shoot mostly.
https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/243-win-maximum-deer-range.3074416/

 

[dennishoddy]

I apologize for hijacking a thread, but for you guys going light and fast in the .243 for deer, how far do you feel like your effective range is? I'm new to the .243 and my initial loads were all 100 grain bullets.

Killed a doe DRT at well over 400 yards last year with the 55 grain bullet.

If you zoom the pic, you can see my blind at the tree line right over the deer.