And the winner of my 243 test loads is...

[deemus]

38.3g of H4831. 2.64 OAL. 95g Hornady SST.

1/2 inch, 4-shot group in my Rem 770. These SST bullets really yield some nice groups. I am now loading these for 5 different rifles.

Did the 4-load test again and got a great group. This will be my load for this rifle going forward.


My phone is not allowing me to post a pic, so maybe later.

 

[TexMex247]

The SST series have delivered my most accurate loads to date in a .280 remington and a 7mm-08 I have. Great stuff for targets but very thin jackets. I'll try to remember that recipe when I start reloading for a friends 243. How many bullet/powder combos have you tried so far ?

 

[deemus]

On the 243 I tried 4 different loads. They ranged in half grain increments from 37.2 to 38.8. The 38.3 gave the tightest group.

It has been my experience that every gun is different. While my Rem 770 likes the 38.3, a different rifle will probably like a different load.

It's why I always use a 4-load test to find the most accurate load for a particular rifle. I load 5 rounds in each powder charge, do four different powder charges, and shoot each group at its own target. All the 37.2 rounds are shot at the same target. The 37.7 rounds are shot a different target, etc. The charge that yields the most accurate target is the load I use.

I do it for every gun I load for.

 

[deemus]

BTW, I use them for hunting with devastating results. Love that SST.

 

[TexMex247]

I have shot hogs with an A-max(162gr, 7mm projectile). At near 200 yds away it left a tennis ball size hole in the back of the hogs head, at closer ranges, body shots were equally impressive. I think it might have also been the thickness of it's skull initiating expansion but either way , I agree, explosive, devastating results. Not for deer IMO but serious firepower on a soft target.

 

[Dawico]

I love the SST and am gearing my .308 for that bullet. Instead of going to a match bullet I want to accurize a hunting load for it. I am going to try 150gr, 165gr, and 180gr and see what it will do with them.

 

[TreyG-20]

I love the SST as well. I'm not a reloader, but that 123gr SST in 7.62x39 is a proven hog stopper. Not to mention some of the tightest groups from factory ammo I have seen in both my AK's.