Re: .243 help!! X mas present
Bubb,
Depending on what you intend to shoot with this rifle, you may want to start with a lighter bullet. The 95 grain bullet is getting towards the top end for weight in the .243 and a lighter bullet will help reduce recoil. At least, start out light until she's used to it, then you can step up to something heavier if you need to hunt big game or go for long range. The 58 grain V-Max may be a good choice to start with, for example. My pet load is with the 87 grain V-Max, which is a good middle of the road bullet. Recoil isn't bad, so long as you're not pushing max and they are extremely accurate to longer ranges.
As for powders, I would start with the starting loads from whatever reloading manuals you have available. I'm not sure what powder you have on hand, or have access to, but I've had good luck with Varget and H4895, especially with the lighter bullets. For the calibers I load, Varget seems to be among the more versatile powders and my "go to" choice. For the heavier bullets, many seem to like slower burning powders, such as H4350 and H4831. I use IMR4831 which is fine, too and more widely available, locally (just be sure to check which data you're loading with for Hogdon vs. IMR 4831!).
My daughter is 10 years old and has shot my 87 grain V-Max load on a few occasions. I've still got her on a .223, but the time is coming, very soon, where she'll likely be stepping up to .243 and even .308.
I think it's a wonderful gift you're getting her and you can't put a value on the time you'll spend together with it.
John
