New handi owner!

[mainehandi]

I am new to reloading allso and would like some help picking out the right powder to get me started for a .243, allso bullet weight and what not!! this is to just get me started, thanks for any rep ly!

[stimpylu32]

Mainehandi

First off WELCOME to the crazy world of handi's and GBO . now it gets harder , need more info ? what are you wanting to do with the rifle ?

Hunt deer , groundhogs or just punch paper , all these things will make a diffrence as to what powder , bullet style and bullet weight to use .

For deer i like a 100 grain softpoint and IMR 4895 powder and for varments i like a 55 or 70 grain bullet with eighter Varget or H 4895 powder .

[buffermop]

Stimpy , I find that a bit unusual. You use a 100 gr bullet with 4895 for deer. I use the same configurations for punching paper in my "06".

[Datil]

 Welcome Mainehandi, to the wonderful world of Hamdi-holics.
 I use 85 gr. HPBT from Sierra, w/ ample dose of IMR 4320,
 Imr 4350 is another good powder for 243 in MHO.
 Marv.

 P.S. I see another Handi-holic in the making. LOL

[myarmor]

Welcome to GBO, and to the forum. My 243 loves Varget, even with varied bullet weights. Though 4350 is a very  good one too.
Enjoy, and I look forward to hearing more in the future.

-Aaron

[shaner]

the reloading world is about as broad as the gun world , everything has its likes an dislikes, do's and  donts,  so becareful , with rifle loading it needs to  be watched so something dont happen , best advise would be  hang here  ask questions, and stay in the reloading books , most of the companies give the  books out free where the powder is  sold, reading is a great help to reloading,  so just play careful  and have fun ,  all the 243 i have had  like imr owder, and i was impressde with the  varget , i used it  wit hthe 55 gr  and hornady 58 gr  for piggin, those ballistic  tips in a 243   say  bad things for ohio groundhogs ,

[bigjeepman]

Welcome to a great group mainehandi!!

First ... you must be a pretty smart person because you chose the best place on the internet to be a part of. Over the years, I have visited many sites and so have these other members but we all came to Graybeard Outdoors to stay. There are many different forums here for you to read and absorb. I have about 5 different ones that I go to each day for two reasons ... #1 .. to learn ... #2 ... to help. Yes, I know you are new to this but the day will come (and sooner than you think) when you will be able to "help" some other member. Your help might not be about reloading (because you are fairly new to it) but it might be about the area in which you hunt or live. If you have an opinion about something, please reply. I found that the more active you are in these forums, the more you will learn.

Secondly ... when you ask a question, be as specific as possible. The more information you give along with your questions, the better another member will be able to help you. You have already read the first reply to your first question was ...."what are you wanting to do with your rifle?" and "what are you going to shoot?". Stimpylu32 asked these questions because there are many variables in reloading your specific rifle. You will find there are sometimes dozens of different bullets, powders, primers, etc to choose from and you can narrow these choices down to a more manageable number by being more specific.

Again ... welcome to this great place. There are many knowledgeable people here willing to spend some time with you. Good luck and good shooting.

[mainehandi]

OK, sorry for the lack of info  ,Well deer hunting with rifle is over here in Maine so don't need to worry bout that now so its on to the coyote's ! So I just wanted to get started and didn't want to waste money on some thing that don't work when there are so many of you helpful people out there ! thanks again for the replys.

[bigjeepman]

I have a .243 but mine is a bolt action Ruger. My handi's are all .223 and I do use one of them for coyotes. I am like quickdtoo ... I don't worry about pelt damage when I shoot a yote as I don't skin coyotes! There is just something about it that doesn't suit me and it might have to do with the smell. Anyway, with that in mind, I use bullets that are my most accurate. I use 80 gr Nosler ballistic tips with H-380 powder because my groups at the range are consistently in the .500" area. I have a lot of confidence in this setup and I feel this is my best chance in the field for good bullet placement.

Now, I am not sure if this will be of any help with your .243 Handi. I think your best help will come from .243 Handi owners. You might try a search for .243 info.

Again ... good luck to you.

[millwright]

I load my 243 handi with IMR 4350 and 85 gr sierra bt hp, seems to work ok.