James R. Burke
New member
I guess I could have given a more complete answer. For rimfire I buy them of course. Myself and wife each have a Ruger No 1A light sporter with a Leupold century limited edition scope on them. They are exact carbon copys except for the caliber. Mine is a 30-06 and hers is a .243, I done this so no matter who used what they would look and feel the same. I reload and thats all I use, and feel it is the best you can get. There are many good loads, and I am not saying mine are the best but they work great for us. Both will shoot under 1" at 100 yards with the loads I have worked up for them. Getting older I am sure someone else would do alot better, but there not target Rifles either. For the 06 on deer I am using a Nosler 165 grain Paritition, CCI large primer, Lapua case, and IMR-4350. I am getting 3097 f.p.s. on average with a five shot string, and again I am not saying anything is better than the next persons. I believe most reloaders have the best working in there firearm. I am still under max with this, and no signs of presure, but it's working so good why mess with it up or down. For the same rifle playing around when I am not using the wifes .243 I have a varmint load made for it. I know it's not the best for that but its fun. I am using a Hornady 110 grain V Max, Laupa case, CCI large rifle primer, and Varget for the powder. On a five string average I am getting 3712 f.p.s. and still under max. I dont shoot very many at this speed, but they are fun. It will vaporize a porky into a red mist, never tryed it on a yote yet. But I will. The .243 for deer and I do know there is alot of debate over this for deer, I feel the correct bullet and placement no problem, just like you need with any rifle. If you need to watch them walk away thats what you do period. My wife has shot at two and dropped them both right on the spot, and she passed on some nicer ones because of doubt etc. For her deer bullet I am using a Nosler Partition 100 grain, Laupa case, CCI large rifle primer, and RL-22. The bigger bullet in the .243 likes the slower burning powder. I tryed some faster ones but the groups opened up. With a five shot string its getting 2930 f.p.s. I been working on a varmint round for her but I think I just found it. I will know in a few days. I had to back things way down. For that I am using a Nosler 55 grain ballistic tip, Laupa cases, CCI large rifle primers, and H-414. I am figuring they should be at about 4000 f.p.s. and still under max. I had them going faster but figured whats the point. Again not that many at that speed will be used thru it. The next time out I figure we will each put a fifthteen thru it. If it all looks good that will be it. Like I said both rifles are not varmint rifles but just fun to mess around with in the off seasons. Sorry I got so long on the answer but I use my own before anything else. I trust my life on my loads, and know they are the most accurate that I can get out of them, but always open for suggestions. I never had a fail to fire ever! If your not into reloading give it some thought it is a good clean, and fun sport.
