Load data for .243 Win. + .243 | 103gr | Hornady ELD-X

.243 Win. cartridge drawing
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Load Specifications

Bullet Manufacturer:Hornady
Bullet Weight:103 gr
Bullet Diameter:0.243"
Bullet Length:<<locked>>
Case Length (l3):2.044"
Cartridge Length (C.O.L.):<<locked>>
Case Capacity:54 Grains of Water
Primer Size:Large Rifle (LR)
Barrel Length:24"
Max. allowed Pressure:60,191 psi
Recommended Twist Rate:1:8.0

Load data in caliber .243 Win. with .243 | 103gr | Hornady ELD-X bullet and 1 powder. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above.

Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.

Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.

Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.

FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.

MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.

V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.

z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.

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Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"

PowderChargeFRMaxP%V(0)z
Alliant Power Pro Varmint<<locked>>98%54,302 psi90%2894 fps97.8%

Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"

PowderChargeFRMaxP%V(0)z
Alliant Power Pro Varmint<<locked>>92%44,614 psi74%2726 fps95.5%

This overview compares 1 powders for .243 Win. loaded with the .243 | 103gr | Hornady ELD-X. Alliant Power Pro Varmint delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,894 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,894 fps to 2,894 fps. Alliant Power Pro Varmint gives the best case fill at 98 %, and 1 of the 1 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.

Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (415 MPa), the top charges use 90–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 103.0 gr projectile in 0.243" calls for a 1:8.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.

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