just trying to start reloading for my .243 and trying to get a good idea on what loads you have had luck with. I'm mostly reloading for varmit. Any suggestions or thought would be appreciated.

I load a 55 gr Nosler Balistic Tip over 45.0 gr Varget to get 3730 fps with a 22" barrel. Nosler claims it will produce nearly 3900 fps from a 24" barrel, but I've never come close to that.

thanks for the info

You'd be surprised what 2 inches can do though, especially in a faster powder like Varget.

2" matters just ask

lol thats funny BMD.

I have been loadin 243 since 1968, so may not be up on the latest. However, 70 gr Sierra HPBT driven at 3500 fps will produce 5 shots through same hole at 100 yds. But do not try on deer, I have had them blow up on surface of the skin on neck shot, still dropped the deer even though did not penetrate. 100 gr. Gameking good bullet for deer, without excess cost of some of the newer bullets. IMR 4350 powder.

Dittos to Sako. I am going to try some Varget, just to get a test on accuracy. However, I do like the IMR powders a bunch. As for bullet, the 100 grain will kill varmints just as dead as a lighter bullet and will allow you to use them for deer as well. The trajectory will not be that adversely effected given realistic hunting ranges. It is always cool to talk long range, but how many times to you really see a shot that can be reasonably taken very far out? The difference in trajectory is not worth the loss in utility in my humble opinion.

I load 105amax 41.5gr of H4350 runs 2980fps.
Good barrel life, good knock down .
243s running modest speeds good for about 1000rd before the barrel needs to be set back.
At 3500fps I would guess the barrel life to be 600rds before needing to be set back.
Practice or speed I'll take practice.

I've never heard of a barrel needing to be "set back". I am very interested in learning what this entails. I don't know much about life expectancy of rifle barrels so anytime I hear something in regards to barrels, I want to learn.

Barrels are set back because the majority of the wear is in the throat area or in the first inch of the barrel as the bullet is released from the case. You can set back or take the barrel off and remove the treads, rethread the barrel and have near new performance. My 243 does really well with 70gr Nosler Ballistic Tips and 38gr of Varget in neck sized Win brass with an OAL of 2.72".

Yes what 30378 is what I'am refering to. I just had a new barrel put on last week. It is chambered in 260.
The way my gun smith cut contor on the barrel I should get around 8000rd threw it.
Start lenth 30" I will have it cut back when the bullet jump is more than 5000s of an inch off the lands&groves .
The mag. system I use will allow me to chase the throat for around 1000 to 1200 before it needs to be set back .
Took it out for a test run today shot a couple of nice groups with it .
@ 400yds

8000 rounds

260 rem is a hot load and it usually won't produce a desired accuracy after 1500 rounds....

Can I get some of your smith's medicine

ta6ppc that 8000 is after it is set back 6 or 7 times the first 7" uncontored .
The barrel I just took off had 6600rds threw it I had it set back 3 times it still shoots 1/4 butt it couldnt be set back any more.
I dont run my 260 very fast 2775 on a 140vld .

Who does your barrel work.