Barnes 80 gr 243 ???

Stillwater165 · Feb 25, 2020

Anybody out there load any 80 gr Barnes in a 243 ? I’ve shot a 243 for over 30 years and loaded for one for at least 25 yrs but I’ve never shot any 80 gr bullets. Either loaded 60 gr hp’s or 100 gr’s. Looking for powder ideas ? I’ve got 3 Win 70s with just factory 22 inch barrels if that helps.

Homer · Feb 25, 2020

I used reloader 17....

Chesterwyo · Feb 27, 2020

IMR 4064 here.

RookieWYhntr · Feb 27, 2020

Yes, IMR 4064 as well. My son killed many deer and antelope with it. Lights out every time. Sub MOA too!

Cahunter805 · Feb 27, 2020

I’ve found H4831 and H4350 to both work very well with the 80gr TTSX.
IMO Barnes normally shoot best at Max charge or a little higher.

Stillwater165 · Feb 27, 2020

Well 3 out of the 4 listed I have on hand so I’ll give them a whirl. Thanks guys

mtmuley · Feb 27, 2020

Look at the Hammers. mtmuley

Homer · Feb 27, 2020

hammers makes powder??

mtmuley · Feb 28, 2020

Homer said:
hammers makes powder??

No. Just another bullet option. Hammers can typically be loaded to higher velocity with less pressure than other monos. For powder, I'm using H4350 right now, but finally got some RL-26. Supposed to work well in the .243. Guessing the RUM will get most of it. mtmuley

Stillwater165 · Feb 28, 2020

I just looked into the hammers last night , they definitely have my attention. I’ve got 3 kids and my wife all shooting 243’s so we use the heck out of them.

fishnut · Feb 28, 2020

H4350 is my go to on 243s. that little 80 gr TTSX is a nasty little pill and the speeds you can push em.

projp · Mar 4, 2020

Imr4831

Homer · Mar 4, 2020

....are the hammers better by more than 2 times $$$$?

mtmuley · Mar 5, 2020

They aren't more than twice the cost. mtmuley

Homer · Mar 5, 2020

lol...ok...so I exaggerate

80 grain hammer 84 cents

80 grain ttsx 59 cents

Zeke · Mar 6, 2020

That's not that much different...... if you're only buying 1 bullet at a time! LOL

Better? Maybe a particular rifle might shoot one better than the other but a guy would have to buy both to find out.

I have not used the Hammers (but I'll bet they're really good) but the Barnes bullets are "hammers" in everything that I've used them.

Zeke

Homer · Mar 6, 2020

Ed Zachary

Wyosam · Mar 25, 2020

I like RL16 with the 80gr Barnes. I have a ladder of the 88gr Sledge Hammers loaded up, but my range closed for corona virus. I'll find a spot to test them this weekend. Other hammers I've loaded have been very easy to work up. Nodes tend to be huge. When I was narrowing down my creedmoor load, the last batch I tested when narrowing it down had an SD of 7, across a .6 grain charge difference. I'd call the middle of that pretty safe. Trickle every load accuracy just throwing and loading.