Looking for Barnes .243 Load Data - Help Needed!

Gun & Shooting
1

I’m gearing up for some hunting trips and I’m interested in getting the best performance out of my .243 setup using Barnes bullets. I’ve heard a lot about the efficiency of these projectiles, but I’m unsure about the optimal load data to use.

What I’m Looking For

Specifically, I’m looking for:

  • Bullet Weights: Which weights have worked best for you?
  • Powder Types: Recommendations on specific powders that pair well with Barnes bullets.
  • Load Recipes: Any proven load recipes you can share?
  • Safety Tips: Given the variance in load data, what precautions do you recommend when reloading for the .243?

Why It Matters

Getting my reloads right is crucial not just for performance, but also to ensure safety when I hit the range or forest. I’ve read some conflicting information online and thought it’d be better to hear from fellow enthusiasts who have tackled this themselves. I’m really keen on maximizing accuracy and effectiveness in the field.

Your Experience

If you could share your experiences or maybe point me toward some reliable resources, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, if there are common mistakes to avoid when loading for these bullets, I’d love to hear about them!

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

2

Hey! For loading Barnes .243 bullets, I’ve had great success with Hodgdon Varget. It burns clean and provides consistent velocities. Definitely worth a try!

3

I agree with Varget! It suits the .243 well. I also recommend IMR 4064; it’s another solid choice and works perfectly for my Barnes loads.

4

What about the burn rate on these powders? I’m relatively new to reloading, and I’m wondering how they compare with others like RL-15.

5

Good question! Varget is a medium burn rate powder, while RL-15 is slightly faster. It really depends on what you are after in terms of speed and accuracy.

5 Likes
6

I’ve had a blast experimenting with different loads! My favorite is using Barnes TTSX with 45 grains of Varget, really tight groups at 100 yards.

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7

That’s awesome! I might give that a go. Do you find the TTSX expands well at longer ranges?

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8

Absolutely! The TTSX performs admirably even at longer distances. I’ve shot some game with it, and the expansion was fantastic!

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9

Just to chime in, I’ve found that the Sierra MatchKing bullets also do well when loaded with Hodgdon powders. They’re not Barnes, but they can produce tight groups.

10

Those are great options too, but I have to say, nothing beats the performance I’ve had with Barnes bullets! So reliable for hunting purposes.

11

Couldn’t agree more! They really handle the game well. What’s your go-to load?

12

I typically load mine with 42 grains of IMR 4895 for a very smooth shooting experience. It stands out when shooting at the range.

13

I’ve been curious about IMR 4895 with Barnes. Does it give decent velocity?

14

Yep! IMR 4895 has a reputation for providing solid velocities with good accuracy. Can’t go wrong there!

15

For something a little different, I’ve tried H4350 and it has performed remarkably well too. Slightly slower burn rate but very consistent.

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16

That’s interesting! I’ve been looking for something that smooths out my loads, might need to try it.

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17

I’ve had great results using the Barnes TTSX in .243 with various seating depths. It seems that a bit of experimentation can really pay off, especially with accuracy. What have you found works best?

18

Absolutely! I like to start at the recommended COAL and adjust 0.010" at a time. You can see significant changes in results with small adjustments!

19

Seating depth does affect pressure quite a lot! I’ve noticed that deeper seating can sometimes reduce pressure but at the cost of velocity. Anyone else experienced this?

20

That’s very true! It’s all about finding that sweet spot for your specific load. A perfect balance can lead to amazing results.