.243 & 6mm mold Info request

[casca]

I want to start casting for my .243 handi rifle.
is that a common cast bullet ?

what molds do you like or prefer ?

also recommend some loads for it.

and lastly always a scrounger, anyone have a mold they no longer LOVE ?

casca1

[Marlin Hunter]

My understanding is that the smaller the (rifle) caliber the more difficult it is to install gas checks. You will need gas checked boolits since the 243 is a high pressure round.

[carpetman]

Get the RCBS 95 grain mold--it is gas check model--I had good results without the gas check too. To me this is interesting. The 44th edition Lyman manual listed a start of 13.0 grains and max of 18.0 grains of IMR 4227. This was printed 1967. Then the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook third edition printed April 1980 Listed same powder starting at 19.3 and max of 24.5 grains. That's right the new starting was higher than the old max. I started with the old data and worked up in 1/2 grain and it was so so all along till I hit 23.5 grains and that was magic---but at 24 grains things went South--way South. The book says this should be around 2400 fps. I used a guys chronie that seemed to be giving expected readings on all his guns and on my other guns but it kept showing 2900 fps for this??????? Still don't know. I do know I tried it on a spike buck and both me and my grandson should have hit it, but we never found a drop of blood and he was heading towards where another trail crossed--no idea which of the four options he took. I hunt with jacketed now. You will hear it continually that the .243 is marginal at best on deer and if used use a premium bullet. Well a premium bullet is one that hits where you want it to and if you do have a sharp knife.

[Bullshop]

The RCBS is a good design that has worked good in many rifles for many customers, BUT my favorite is the Lyman Luverin.
BIC/BS

[9.3X62AL]

Carpetman sent samples to me of the RCBS 95 grainer, and it was and remains a winner in all respects. I have fired MANY 1.0"-1.5" 5-shot groups at 100 yards with my Rem 788 in 243, 12.0 grains of 2400 is the load weight.

The Lyman Loverin shoots almost as well in my rifle with the same load.

[Bret4207]

The trick, or so it seems, to casting smaller caliber boolits is a good, hot mould. So get you mould really clean and pre-heat it. The more often liquid alloy fills the mould, the least time it remains empty, the more heat it can soak up and the easier it will be to get good fill out.

[Calamity Jake]

Don't overlook the Saeco 243 an 85gr GC I use this boolit in a 6MMBR 1-12 at 2200 1 1/2 to 2 inches @ 100.