I am getting the 85 XLC to use in my .243 and was wondering what powder to start with. I am thinking Varget or RL15 maybe. Has anyone ever used this bullet in the .243? Which powder did you use?

WyoJoe,

I haven't loaded that particular bullet but, I know a guy who gets his best loads w/ that bullet atop of R22.

Good Luck!

Reloader

I have had good luck with RL 15, IMR 4064 and 4895.

However not a powder I usually use in 6mm or 243 is IMR 4350 even tho I know it is real popular. However with the Barnes 85 grain XLC bullets, it gave me the best accuracy and high velocity if that is your bag.

Cheers and Good shooting
seafire

WyoJoe,

While I've not used the Barnes bullet, I've shot a lot of Nosler 85 gr Partitions. I have quite a few 243's. H-414 is my favorite powder for the best combination of speed and accuracy in most of my rifles. I've done a bit of chronograph testing to back that up. Sometimes H414 needs a magnum primer for the best accuracy.

knobmtn

WyoJoe,
I have been using the 85 XLC's since they came out in my Rem 6mm. I had previously been using the 95 gr. X.

I shot 6 deer ( Va. ) last yr. with the 85 gr. XLC. I use to use H-4831, for the 95, & 85 , but 2 yrs ago swithched to R-19 for the 85 gr. XLC's. It is real accurate in my custom #1, barrel is 21 1/2 inches.

I really have had excellent results with the Barnes X's. I have shot a pile of deer with X's from 30 yds. to 322 yds ( Leica range measured) & usually one shot is all that's needed. Va. deer where I hunt usually go about 130 to 160 lbs.-not dressed.

I bought 5 boxes of 85 gr. TSX, so this yr. I am going to use them, to see if any difference.

A few yrs. ago I shot 4 deer with Nosler 95 gr. BT, & 4 with Barnes 95 X to see if any difference. Reinforced me again to only use Barnes X's. I have used the Nosler partition's, & Hornady also, but keep gravating back to Barnes X's.