HELP I'm new and clueless .243

[dart55]

This is my first time posting here and I am a newbie to cast bullets for rifles. I have cast plenty of bullets for .38, .44, and .45 but I have a Browning 81 BLR rifle in .243 that I would love to shoot more, but with cast bullets.

Can some one hold my hand and point me in the direction of what bullet design (which mold) and what alloy and powder to use. I heard about putting dacron in the case. What is that all about?

I was hoping to shoot the rifle anywhere from 1,300-1,800 fps or basically where it would not lead vicously. My goals are for accuracy first, and then coyotes, crows and jackrabbits.

Thank you for your time and help

Dan

[runfiverun]

alright this has been on here for 4 hrs now and no one has bit.
i don't do the 243.
but i do the 7-30-323-358 in rifles and might soon do the 22.
so here is a bit of advice.
gas check for the 6mm's are pretty hard to get or find cheap.
however they are still cheaper then j-words.
alloy: plain old ww's with a bit of tin added and water dropped will do what you need for the targets.
a flat point for your lever and for on game performance should do fine.
find one with pretty good bearing surface and a fairly short bore riding nose surface.
stick to a fairly nominal to heavy weight.
since you aren't gonne be pushing these fast, the weight will work for you.
look at the slower powders. not the red dot and unique loads they have too much pressure for the return.
4895 and slower powders seem to give the best velocities and performance.
don't forget lube.
look at lars's 2700 or b.a.c. lubes ,these will help.
and finally sizing,measure what you can and try to get a mold that looks as close to what you measure as you can find.
others should chime in here shortly maybe ric will stop in i know he casts for the 6mm.

and finally: welcome to the madness...

[1Shirt]

Recommend Lyman 245296, 85 gr. gc. Do not go heavier as it has been my expeiance with 95 gr. cast that they seldom shoot in most 243's. Lube with red lars, size large, go with recommended starting lyman loads. Should put you on the right track.
1Shirt!:coffee:

[1Shirt]

Correction: 245496 (typo error)
1Shirt!

[MT Gianni]

I have had good luck with both the 83 gr Lyman and the 95 gr RCBS. Mine shoots good with 12 gr 2400. start at 10 gr and work up to around 14 max. You should find a sweet spot.

[donald duck]

I have been loading a Lyman # 245496 cast bullet for a few months in .243, it is gas checked. Since starting I have my own mold # 245496 and just purchased a Lee sizer die in .243. I am wondering if the sizer die should be .244????
My loads are 7.0 grains of Unique. 7.0 grains Green Dot, also have loaded and not fired 6.5 grains Unique, and 8.5 grains Universal. As a result of a bad leg, I only shoot at 50 yards.
I got the idea of 7.0 grains Unique from reading Ken Waters big brown thick loading book.
I would like to hear from experts about the .243 sizing die. I notice that it does not do a good job with the gas checks. I do not have a problem with 7 mm .284 bullets w/ gas check as sizer die is .285. Your comments welcomed. dd

[largom]

First you should slug your bore to determine groove diameter. It is then considered best to size 1 or 2 thousands over that diameter. The gun will tell you what diameter it likes best.
Larry

[runfiverun]

i would go with the 244 sizer.

[7br]

Here is a thread that might help. My .243 is another roundtoit project I have worked off and on with for about three years. Never really got serious though.


http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=30110&highlight=243

[Bret4207]

I have a 6mm I'm hoping to turn into a coyote gun one day. Based on Jim Carmichaels articles in Handloader way back in the early 70's I got an 85 gr 245496 mould to use in it. Ol' Jimbo used to do some really good writing back in the day and he found boolits below 100 grs worked best. I may make a flat noser for that mould some day.

[Maven]

Another vote here for #245496 and .244" diameter. I have a Ruger #1 which digests that CB very well, but not 95gr. or heavier cast or jacketed bullets. You may want to try these powders too:

IMR 4227, 13grs. - 15grs.

H/IMR 4198, 13grs. - 15grs.

WC 820/AA #9, 13grs. - 14rs.

AA 5744, 13.5grs. - 15.0grs.

[Mallard57]

I have been loading a Lyman # 245496 cast bullet for a few months in .243, it is gas checked. Since starting I have my own mold # 245496 and just purchased a Lee sizer die in .243. I am wondering if the sizer die should be .244????
My loads are 7.0 grains of Unique. 7.0 grains Green Dot, also have loaded and not fired 6.5 grains Unique, and 8.5 grains Universal. As a result of a bad leg, I only shoot at 50 yards.
I got the idea of 7.0 grains Unique from reading Ken Waters big brown thick loading book.
I would like to hear from experts about the .243 sizing die. I notice that it does not do a good job with the gas checks. I do not have a problem with 7 mm .284 bullets w/ gas check as sizer die is .285. Your comments welcomed. dd

Hi,
I'm no expert, but, I'd say try your bullets sized in the .243 die first( I have my doubts) and then if they don't work, Buckshot has a thread on how to open up your die with abrasive paper, a mandrel, and some elbow grease.
Jeff

[Bret4207]

The die can easily be opened by rolling a bit of abrasive paper on a rod across your thigh. I opened a .329 die to .332+ in 400 rolls. The problem with a .243 die will be finding a stiff rod small enough to fit without bending as you use it.

[Newtire]

I second the .244 die and go with either the 245496 Lyman or the RCBS 95 grainer. The Saeco 85 grainer works great also.

Have not tried anything other than 2400 and H-4198 with those boolits. I will give the shotgun powders a try now.

With the H-4198 and the Lyman 245496, I have used as high as 18 grains with super good accuracy.

I have the longer Lyman 245498 and it actually keyholes the slugs. Worst shooting cast bullet I have ever shot.

[dart55]

Thank you guys for the info. I really appreciate the response. I guess I will try the lighter lyman mold and the .244 sizing die.

Now my search is on for gas checks!!!

Thank you for helping out a new guy and not just bench shooten with your buddies!


Dan

[Newtire]

Now my search is on for gas checks!!!

Thank you for helping out a new guy and not just bench shooten with your buddies!


Dan

Hi Dan,

I've dealt with these guys before and they are a good bunch of guys. Here's the link to the page you need to look at for the gas checks. http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/2,46.html

As far as helping fellow shooters out, that's nore or less what this site thrives on.