For health reasons I'll be limited to a .243 for the coming deer season. I've never loaded for this cartridge but I do have a jug of H4350 I would like to use up. I would appreciate some input on your favorite petloads with this powder. I'm considering either 85 gr TSX or 100 gr partition bullets. Feel free to PM me with load data if preferred.

Thanks in advance.

Killzone

I've used IMR 4350 for years in my .243 deer load. This is the bullet I've used with great success has been the 87 gr. Hornady InterLock hunting bullet. Your H4350 will have a subtly different burn rate than the IMR. I use 42.0 gr of the IMR 4350 just below the Max load of 42.7 see Hornady Vol. II. Shoots five shot dime size groups.

I bought my 243 while recovering from shoulder surgery and it has served me well. Last year my son used it to take his first two deer. No experience with H4350 (like Jay I use IMR4350) but the 100 grain Nosler Partition expands nicely and holds together for effective penetration on deer. When I'm too busy (or too lazy) to handload I find that Remington Corelokt 100 gr factory ammo turns deer into venison very neatly as well. Another light kicking option for you may be the Remington Managed Recoil line of ammo. We used the 30'06 125 (2550 fps froma 22 inch barrel) on three nice whitetail does last year with no complaints. My son is going to try the Federal Low Recoil 170s this season.

In my BRNO .243 I use 43 grains of H4350 and 100gr Speer boats tails and they work well on deer. I have not put them over a chrony yet, it's on my list of things to do, but, it is accurate (sub MOA) and comfortable to shoot. You should do just fine with it.

John

Gidday Killzone,

A good low recoiling load with H4350 that is dynamite with deer is 85gr Sierra HPBT over 42.2 gr.

This load shoots 1/2" to 1" groups out of every 243 we have tried it in.

With chest and neck shots deer fall over within 25 metres.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

My son and I used the 85 grain TSX over 41.5 grains of IMR 4350 on Grants Gazelle and Impala in Tanzania last week. Worked very well on both. Broadside shot passed through the Grants. Quartering shot on the Impala entered the lower neck, passed through the body and ended up under the hide behind the far shoulder. The recovered bullet looked like it could be used for a Barnes ad. Four perfect petals folded back to the solid shank. This load gives me 2800 fps out of my 20" barrelled M70 compact and shoots MOA.

42 grain is a near max load that shoots 2950 out of most 22 in. barrels with a 100 grain bullet. It shoots well in most all rifles and kills deer dead.

IMR-4350 and H-4350 are very similar (some think identical) powders but don't get the idea that one can substitute IMR for Hodgdons any time the numbers are the same.

Loading data for each is free and on the net.

Either powder is a good choice for the 243 and 100 grain bullets.

I've also seen the 243 kill a lot of deer and very well. It's a fine deer rifle!

My Son-in-Law and I tried the 100 partition in our 243s last fall, neither did too well. Last week we got some 95 Partitions and both rifles did very well with max loads of H4350. His is a Tikka Whitetail Hunter, mine a recent M70 Featherweight. Both rifles run about an inch with the 85 TSX, but seems like I've just got to try something differeent occasionally. I'm not sure why Nosler build both the 95 and 100, but you might try both.

I too am limited in the amount of recoil I can tollerate due to health problems. Last year I started handloading with H-4350 for my 22" Ruger KM77RFP MKII .243. I used 95gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips with the H-4350. Average Muzzle velocity for the load I use is 3071 FPS out of my 22" Barrel and accuracy is amazing.

Last fall my Daughter, Wife and I shot 3 Whitetails with this Rifle-n-Load. All 3 were one shot kills and in each case the bullet completed penetrated the Whitetails leaving an exit hole about the size of a 25 cent piece. When field dressing these Whitetails I did not find any evidence of bullet break up. Granted the only bones hit were rib bones, but I was still quite pleased with the performance.

Larry

PS, for the record I am going to be using the same load and rifle this year also.

I frequently read that the .243 is marginal at best on deer. Anyone foolish enough to use one should certainly use a premium bullet. My son in law,grandson and I have used the .243 for years. Yes,these are Texas whitetails that do run smaller,but the size of a dog you often hear is an exaggeration. Most have been over 100 pounds---none 200 though. I reload for the three of us and I use Winchester bulk packed 100 grain bullets(read cheap)and IMR 4831 powder. Never a problem. Put them in right area and you better have your knife ready as the fun is over and the work begins.
I did try 95 grain RCBS mold gas checked cast bullet once and that was a problem. Apparently the .243 is not of ample size for good performance with a cast bullet is my theory.

I just retured from Wyoming, We hunted Antelope and I used my 243 Win. The load I used was. A Speer Bullet 85 gr. BTSP and that bullet did A great job. I have in the past used the 87gr. Hornady,95gr.Nosler BT.,and the 100gr. Speer, All of the Bullets worked, But the 85gr. Speer realy did a good job on the goat.Should send A pic. but I a'm still figuring? that part out. 6.5 SWEDE

My wife has shot several mule deer and a few antelope with a Ruger 77 MkII .243 using 100gr Hornady bullets at 2900fps. They seemed to kill real well. I don't recall the bullet ever exiting an animal but they sure went down fast.

The best load I've come up with for my ex-wifes rifle (.243 Win M70 Lightweight Carbine ) is using the 100 grain Sierra flat base or Boat tail and 42 grains of IMR-4350, CCI primers and WW cases. Accurate and very deadly on deer and antelope sized game. Only recovered one it was a chest on shot at 128 yards and found it under the hide near the tail and weighed 89 grains, all others have been complete pass throughs like I said very deadly.

Jabs against the 243 are just opinions from a few people who think they know more then they actually do. We have a gentleman at our sportsmans club who went on a caribou hunt last fall. He had just gone through shoulder surgery so could not take much recoil. He brought a 243 Winchester. Two shots. Two bulls. There is nothing wrong with the 243, like any other chambering you just have to know it's limitations and place the shot.