Roskoe

NO - they are just a "regular" bullet. Sierra Gamekings are a little softer than the Pro Hunters. The Pro Hunter is one of those solid dependable bullets that expand reliably and hold together well over a wide range of impact velocities. Sometimes the core comes loose from the jacket at the very end of the bullet's terminal path, but this doesn't really affect the wound channel. They are particularly good in the 100 gr. 6MM. With good shot placement, everything from coyotes to elk can be taken with this bullet.

Ought Six

I definately would choose the Nosler Partition over the Sierra for anything bigger than a small deer. Having used the 243 extensively for hunting everything from woodchucks to mule deer, I am quite familiar with it's terminal ballistics. Using a 95 grain Nosler Partition, and pushing said bullet at a MV of around 2900 fps...you will achieve similar penetration to a 30-06 using a factory 180 grain Remington Corelokt load. Chest shots with Partitions vaporize the heart & lungs. The pay off of using the Partition is when things dont go perfectly. You have the bullet necessary to punch through a bone or handle a less than perfect angle. Without a premium bullet, the 243 is a poor choice for anything but a broadside side. With the Partition, you can accept a less than perfect angle. Also, I find it nice to have the bullet necessary for when things go bad. In my mind, a Partition is a fabulous hunting bullet. They open very rapidly, yet have the ability to penetrate like crazy.

Personally, I prefer the 95 grain Partition. I also prefer using H4831 SC, as I can throw it. Hornady lists 45.5 grains as max for H 4831 pushing a 95-100 grain bullet.

ejpaul1

Well, I think I am gonna give this 95 grain bullet (partition) a try. It does seem a good choice and the ballistics do seem appropriate.

Aggiehunter

Alright this is off topic a little bit but since it is such a good powder for the .243 I thought I would ask. What exaclty is the difference in burn rate for the H4350 and IMr4350? My dad accidentaly bought the Hogdon instead of IMR and Im wondering if I can replace them with each other? I wont be loading maximum loads or anything. Thanks.

Doe Dumper

The loads with the h4350 and the imr4350 are NOT interchangible. After looking at the chart..they are pretty close but I wouldnt think close enough to use same loads. I may be wrong though, Im still a greenhorn on loading.

Ought Six

Doe Dumper is correct. IMR4350 differs from H4350. They can generally be used in the same caliber, but with differing amounts or powder. Be sure to check you manuals before assuming you can use a given amount of either powder.

ejpaul1

Well, I have interchanged these powders directly one for the other and I have noticed changes of under 50 FPS between them. The accureacy hasnt been affected though. POI seems to be the same as well. But, I am only doing two loads with this, 40 grains for 243 and 57 grians for 30-06. Seems to work pretty well, but I do try to stick with the IMR as a constant. EJ

DM

In the 70's i was shooting my 243 Win. almost daily and used it for everything. When i switched to 100 NP's it was the first time i got any where near enough penetration on deer, to satisfy me. I still think it's a bit light on bigger deer, but with well placed shotsuseing NP's it is adequate.

I also use IMR 4350 when loading load100 NP's in my 243....

Drilling Man

ejpaul1

what powder charge?

DM

Irarely give out exact loads, as what works fine in my rifle may not in yours. There's a zillion loading manuals out there full of excelent load data.

My fitth edition Nosler loading manual gives a starting load37.5 grains ofIMR 4350 for the 95 and 100 NP's inthe 243 Win.

Drilling Man