I just spent a day breaking-in a new Winchester Compact Featherweight in 243 Win.

Ten singleshots, lots of patches through the bore.
Then a few test groups for load build ups, with more patches between groups.

The muzzle-blast was tolerable but loud in the 20" barrel.

The 80 Barnes TTSX was about where one would expect up to 45.5 grains R17 with a 20" barrel (3200+), though I will try out 46 and maybe 46.3 grains of R17 next time.

It seems I underestimated the amount of powder necessary to reach expected velocities with the 90 grain Nosler-E. 39.5 to 41.5 grains of Reloder 17 left things at 2900 fps, and cool primers.

I will probably try loads up to 43.5 or 44.0 grains in R-17 and would like to see a 3000-3050 fps accurate bullet.

There are potential issues with bullet length of the 90 NosE in a standard 10" twist 243. So do any of you have more experience with the NoslerE and R-17 in 243Win?



(PS: I tried H4350 with the above bullets, too, though similar charges were running about 75-125fps slower accross the board. Primers and cases were the same for all bullets and powders, nary a highpressure sign.)

I mostly shoot 95gr bergers but did try the E noslers a while back in my 243AI.
Most load data that I see is for a 24" barrel.
With the 20" barrel I would have to say you are about there.
Some better powders for a little higher velocity would be H4831SC or IMR4350.
i know R17 Is close to IMR4350 but only in burn rate. The performance is quiet a bit diffrent.
Remember the .243 is considered an overbore cartrage so slower powders will or should work better
I have shot some really good groups with 80gr barnes and H4831sc. at about 3300f/s. in my 243 mauser
Dave

I assume you hunt in a lead-free zone, otherwise there would be no point in working with monometal bullet-subsitutes.

Hivelosity:

Thanks. I just picked up a pound of Hunter and a pound of H4831SC. We'll see what happens later this month. I started with R17 and H4350 because I like them and because Barnes listed them as first two choices for the 80 TTSX.

Stonecreek:

That's a 'roger' when hunting in the US. However, in Africa I use monometal by choice, though in heavier calibres.

I like the idea of true, guaranteed penetration. I've heard about complaints in the US about occasional lack of expansion or small exit wounds, something that can happen to any bullet. But guaranteed penetration sure beats tracking a three-legged lion or buffalo. And I like to use flat-shooting loads so the lead-core 'keep-impact-under-2400fps' doesn't work for me.