Hi all. I’m unable to purchase .243 factory ammo and unable where I’m at to purchase the correct powder for reloading my .243 shells. I use 80 grain Sierra boat tail soft points and mostly for hunting coyotes. The only powder I currently have on hand is IMR 3031 but I’ve heard that burns too fast for .243. Wondered if anyone has any advice for me if you’ve tried this before or if you know of ways I can get my hands on some 4064 or other powder fit for .243 shooting 80 grains. Thanks!
3031 in .243?
- Thread starter Jphil
- Start date
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
Yes, the 3031 is probably too fast for the 243.
You could find possibly find a load that will shoot, but anything near decent performance would be lacking.
I have always considered 4895 as the fastest powder that a 243 would use.
any of the medium burn to slower powders will work, 4064 with that 80 grn bullet might prove to be pretty good, although something nearer to 4350 would be best.
You could find possibly find a load that will shoot, but anything near decent performance would be lacking.
I have always considered 4895 as the fastest powder that a 243 would use.
any of the medium burn to slower powders will work, 4064 with that 80 grn bullet might prove to be pretty good, although something nearer to 4350 would be best.
The Hogdon site has load data IMR 3031 data for the Hornady 75gn hollow point and several other 6mm bullets but not for the Sierra 80 gn. Might be easier to just change bullets
edit - just looked at my Sierra manual for .243 Win and they list 32.6gns @ 2800 FPS min and 37.4gns @ 3200 FPS max charge for IMR 3031 and the 80 gn Sierras
edit - just looked at my Sierra manual for .243 Win and they list 32.6gns @ 2800 FPS min and 37.4gns @ 3200 FPS max charge for IMR 3031 and the 80 gn Sierras
Last edited:
Riesel
Gold $$ Contributor
When I first got into center fire rifles I had a Parker Hale in .243. That was in 1973. I also got into reloading at the same time and the folks at the Rod and Gun Club at Cannon AFB suggested 3031 with just about any
.243 bullet up to 100 grains. I shot everything from prairie dogs to South Texas white tail deer with that .243
and 3031 powder and was never disappointed. Pretty much used Sierra Bullets exclusively. Use what you have, it may not be optimal but you will get the job done.
.243 bullet up to 100 grains. I shot everything from prairie dogs to South Texas white tail deer with that .243
and 3031 powder and was never disappointed. Pretty much used Sierra Bullets exclusively. Use what you have, it may not be optimal but you will get the job done.
Wow thank you all so much. I’m amazed at how helpful this forum is. I live in the Nebraska Sandhills and the closest gun shop is 45 minutes away. That’s where I went for more powder and the only thing somewhat close to what I wanted was the 3031. Everything i can find online is out of stock or won’t ship. Hopefully sometime soon i can get out of town to a bigger gun shop and get what I need. I think I’ll give it a shot testing out with 3031 and see if there’s a charge that’ll work well enough to get me by. Thanks for the references to give me a starting point. I’m grateful for all of the wisdom!
You will not find much in the shops. Go to Natchez Shooters Supplies, Midway, Powder Valley, Graf and Sons, or Midsouth shooter supplies. There is not much available, but they have some types available. Shops are a crap shoot and they cannot be depended upon. If you are not prepared now, it is going to be sketchy for awhile and worse if Biteon is officially in.
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
Jphil,
Years ago when I first got into reloading I had a win model 670 in .243 that loved 3031, cant remember the charge but I shot 65 grain VMax and 100 grain Partitions with the 3031 and it shot them both well!...
Wayne
It'll work but not well, what Jackie Schmidt said. 4064 will work better than 3031 but 4350 is the best IMR powder. Gary
jackson1
Silver $$ Contributor
Jphil, okie gave you some pretty good advice. Yesterday visited an old hardware/gunshop near me. Have been buying from this family for several generations. In times like these it pays to cultivate good relationship with these people. Back during the last great primer shortage they always kept me going. They kept them in the storage area and only sold to their regular customers. Great selection of IMR and Alliant powders, but no primers. Sadly for the foreseeable future this may be the new normal. Yes there a price to pay for buying these components locally, but they can deliver a level of service you won't find on the internet. Sometimes taking the long view has its benefits.
Seeveral years ago I had a Sako rifle in 6mm. At that time I didnt have but one can of powder and of courseit was 3031. My loading manual listed it as an accuracy load. I started working up a load and low and behold it was an awesome load, would shoot less than an in inch for me and that was an accomplishment.
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