243 Beginner's Reloading

[Deleted]

I have only 100 rounds of reloading 30-06 experience from back in early 2000. So I don't know hardly anything for reloading. I've done allot of research trying to get ready to start reloading my new Rem 700 SPS Varmint 243. I have 4350, 3031, & 4198 for powder. I just bought a box of 87 v max and standard Win rifle primers. I still need to get a primer pocket cleaner and case trimmer. I have a set of Hornady 243 reloading dies and crimp along with a mic to check size. Plan is to use 4350 with the 87 vmax.

What else do I need to know when it comes to reloading. I know I need to weigh powder but sitting depth and over all length of bullet is a little confusing but I know it's important.

Any recommendations on where to start and how to make it simple to begin with then work into more in depth procedure?

Any suggestions is greatly appreciated.

[Deleted]

If you're just starting out I would stick to book loads and book listed OAL. After you are more comfortable with the process you can go ahead and take the bullet out to the lands and start working up your max load. Once you see pressure signs back off .2gr and shoot a couple groups adjusting seating depth .010 shorter each group to find the sweet spot for your rifle. Just remember to start with book starting charges when you're touching the lands. Not giving the bullet space to jump creates a lot of extra pressure. That's my method and other members will probably have several different methods I'm sure.

[mrbuck]

Many reading this post will have things they want to tell you but myers129 has the best advice for anyone just starting out .... stick to " book " loads . Nosler and Lyman reloading books have the usual starting loads and top loads and accuracy loads for each bullet weight . You should not get jammed up picking the bullet weight and powder that gave the best accuracy and starting at the lower powder charge weights and increasing the charge a half a grain at a time . Save the targets and compare the group sizes ... and not just one lucky tight one . Three shot groups are ok for me ( sorry richard ). Is that nice tight group repeatable ? Then vary the seating depth .
Even after 40 years reloading centerfire cartridges , I still go to the books . When I got a new Remington
.243 Win. last year I wanted to shoot 75gr. bullets . Nosler Ballistic Tips were available and I had Varget
that Nosler stated was their accuracy powder for that bullet . Within a trip or two to the range the rifle shot 1/2" and under . You just have to take it slow and careful ... and test under good conditions .
Go get 'em !
Chris

[ported45]

Like mrbuck said, even seasoned loaders should go to the book when developing a new load. Where you go from there should depend on your experience level with reloading.

[ET]

If you are going to invest in tools for reloading I recommend you include a Flash Hole De-burring Tool.

This only has to be done once to the casing. This tool will leave a chamfer on the flash hole that should appear less than ½ the diameter of the flash hole when you look inside the casing. It will help your groups.




Ed