243 AI powder options

[joeniv]

I'm looking for preferred powders you've had success with in the .243 AI and a 65 gr VMax bullet.

I had a good load worked up for 80 gr Starke RPVBs, but my supply had dwindled and I need to develop a new long range prairie dog load. The rifle is a heavy barreled (varmint weight) Remington 700 with a re-chambered factory .243 barrel.

I do not want to shoot heavy bullets. Prefer the light and fast route. Long range for me is seldom more than 400 yards, the benefits of the heavy VLD type bullets isn't needed at that range.

Another question - how close would loads listed for the straight 6mm Remington be to a .243 AI? I'm somewhat experienced with reloading, this is my third wildcat - previously I have loaded for a .22-250 AI and a tight necked .257 Roberts AI. The thing that frustrates me is the lack of load data to get me to a starting point.

TIA

-joeniv-

 

[Harold]

H-4350 worked well with 70 grain bullets in my rifle , start with about 45 grains and work up.

 

[calib]

i have used win 760 for 70 grn ballistic tips

 

[MrMajestic]

I run Varget with the Berger 66, now replaced with the 69, gr. High BC flat base bullets in a 26" 14tw tube. Getting 3950 fps with the 66's but have not checked the 69's using 1/2 gr. less powder. Have you looked at the Cartridge Guides for their recommendations?

 

[Steve Blair]

The .243 AI and 6mm Remington have almost identical case capacities. I found the 58 V-Max and Varget an excellent combination in 6mm. Try starting around 43.0 and working up. [br]
You might also try the Berger 80 grain FB Varmint bullet. It has been very accurate in every 6mm I've tried, from 6BR to 6mm Rem.

 

[AckleymanII]

My hunting parnters have had many 243 AI's with 1-12 twists and short throats for shooting lighter bullets.

We shot many kegs of Win 760 with the CCI 250's and Rem Brass. Our fireformed load with the 70g Bullet was 48.5g of 760 with the bullet kissing the lands at 3850 out of a 28" barrel, accuracy is in the low 2's. If you bump the powder just a tad, you will have a load for the 65's. Max load out of our barrels was in the 49.5g area with the 70's at 3950 fps.

The 75 V Max should give you exceptional accuracy with detonations on critters that will simply blow your mind, also.

good luck!

 

[killahog]

Keith: That Accuracy with that velocity is very impressive ,could share more information about your Set up including. What load your using for fireforming what load your using after the cases are formed, targets, and a Schematic of the reamer you used for short bullets. Thanks

 

[MarkS]

H414 I have shot it in 22-252AI, 243AI and 6mmAI works great for light bullets. fills the case and gets lots of speed.

Mark Schronce

 

[fredhorace77]

personally i run varget in my 243 and 243ai up to the 70gr. bullets...anything heavier than that i go to H4350....100gr.s and up i use H4831SSC

 

[Joe O]

I use WW760 and H414 for the 70 gr bullets SBKs and Nosler Blitz.Have to regroup after getting blown primers with virgin brall while fireforming.Loads are 1.5 gr under max for parent case.I'm thinking "tight bore",and Hart thinks "short throat".
In any case don't fireform with max loads in the virgin cases (243) untill you know it isn't overpressure.