Best powder for .243

[1holeaddict]

I have had great luck in 3 of my 243's with RL22 and 105amax. All 3 guns like almost the same charge of RL22. I have another one i use for yotes and she likes H4350 with 87Vmax.

 

[hdfireman]

Thanks for all the info fellas! Just trying to figure out what most people have good results with. I don't want to have to buy a bunch of different powders. Looks like I'm down to 3 ???

 

[Jazz]

H4831sc with the 105-108's and or RE-17 worked good too.

 

[Raythemanroe]

Started with 107 smk and h1000 47g I think.. I would work up to that. Now I found using berger 115 vld that rl-25 is getting the speed I was wanting with good results in accuracy...Also for the 95g pills I always liked Imr 4350 and then found vv n560 got better speed with less pressure and loved that powder.. 1-8 hart at 27"..

 

[stacy]

H414 for me 85gr to 95grs bullets.

STACY

 

[1holeaddict]

Wow maybe im the only guy pushing 105's with Rl 22. Gee maybe i should of kept my secret to myself. ; :-X :-X :-X :-X

 

[boltgunluvr]

Dont belive all the negative on 243 barrel life. True...it's not the best of the 6mm family, but if carefully shot, cooled and maintained....you'll be good for a long time unless you are a BR shooter. My factory Rem 700s are 1 in 9.125 twist so they scream for the 95-100 gr range. I've tried many different powder combos and H4350 or IMR4350 is hard to beat. Actually, IMR 4064 shot darn good, but stretched cases a bit too fast. I grown to be really fond of my 243s. Those heavier 6mm bullets buck the wind really well.

 

[stapher1]

My M77 .243 loves Varget with a 58gr V-max.

 

[swampshooter]

Normally powders in the 4350 range work very well. All the 4350 variants, H-414, ww760.

 

[jsimonh]

I had good luck with Retumbo and the heavies...don't remember the load anymore though. I was using it because I had a 7 mag at the time and it worked well in both calibers.

 

[Cat MD]

H4350 is my go to with 105 class bullets, reliable in climate changes and top accuracy. Herb

 

[Rtheurer]

+1 for Hybrid 100V

Savage Action, Criterion 1-8 Barrel

95g Sierra Match King
43.5 H100V MAX LOAD
Winchester Neck Sized Brass
Federal 210 Primer
OAL=2.850"
"Bughole" Accuracy

WMB
Thats good information right there. I have been wondering about this combo for some time and was thinking of giving it a try. H100V has real low KJ BTU Heat of explosion so like H1000 and N165 "SHOULD" be easy on barrels. How long is your Barrel? You can count on me trying this combo out soon. This is a concern for me as it will be used as a NRA Match rifle and shooting Rapid fire strings at 200 and 300 yards where heat can really build up.
Thanks for that reply.
RussT

 

[chuckbuster243]

I shoot 95 grain Bergers with H4350. I have shot IMR4350 but temp sensitivity came into play where I shoot and I went to the H4350 and have never looked back. Better accuracy and speed. Matt

 

[K22]

Dont belive all the negative on 243 barrel life. True...it's not the best of the 6mm family, but if carefully shot, cooled and maintained....you'll be good for a long time unless you are a BR shooter. My factory Rem 700s are 1 in 9.125 twist so they scream for the 95-100 gr range. I've tried many different powder combos and H4350 or IMR4350 is hard to beat. Actually, IMR 4064 shot darn good, but stretched cases a bit too fast. I grown to be really fond of my 243s. Those heavier 6mm bullets buck the wind really well.

Totally agree about barrel life - My model 700 has 3,620 rounds through it and still holds 1 MOA with IMR 4350 and 90 Nosler BT's. I've always let the barrel cool between shots and never pushed my load to max. In fact, this rifle likes the powder charge near the starting load in the Nosler Manual. Also been diligent about cleaning.

 

[mikegaiz]

IMR 4064 for pure accuracy SMK 70, one hollers all day long. H380, Sierra blitz king for varmints with molly coated bullets. Ball powder will make your barrel last longer it does not burn as hot. I have over 3000 rounds through a hart barrel and still shoot under 1 in. at 100 yds.

 

[normmatzen]

My first bench rest barrel was a Shilen 1 in 8 for the 243 WIN.

H4350 as well as RL-17 both worked, but the best I found was H1000. I switched to H1000 early on as I read about it being easier on barrel life. Well, I competed with this rifle for 2500 rounds and it would still do competitive groups at 1000 yds. Unfortunately, with some one else shooting it! So I got a new 6BRX barrel and haven't looked back.
I am not sure the 243 barrel is shot out yet or not. I just got another target action and I am going to build another BR rifle for practice with, you guessed it, the old 243 barrel!
By the way, my 28" barrel, using hBN and 46 gr H1000 (slightly compressed) shot at 2900fps which is a node for this barrel.