Best powder for .243

[hdfireman]

I am getting ready to start loading for a .243 and would like to get some info on the best powder to use. I've read how slower powders will help with barrel life, is this true? What does the board suggest? Barrel is an 8 twist, lapua brass and want to run 95-107gr. I will not be shooting any competitions anytime soon as I am just getting into the long range game. Thanks

 

[civil82]

I had good luck in a 28" Krieger with H1000 and 107 SMKs. As to barrel life, I can't offer you anything. I've only put a few hundred down the tube in five years.
You don't mention what dicipline you are planning to compete in. In my opinion, useable barrel life is different for each arena of shooting sports. My mid-range prone guns will probably see more rounds before I declare the barrel as toasted, as compared to other's F-Class or long range benchrest guns.

 

[FroggyOne2]

Well I don't have any experience personally with the .243, but several of the guys that I shoot with that do use it, use VV N160 powder.

 

[Cort]

Read the link on the home page about the .243. It is good basic information on the cartridge and its performance. I won't say it will be right for your rifle/barrel but it is always a good starting point.

Cort

 

[Preacher]

Lots of good powders for the 243, your rifle will tell you what it likes..
No particular order here, but I usually will find a good load with one of these..
Lots more than these will work for you too........
H-4350
H-4831
RL-15
RL-17

 

[Kingfisher]

My best luck has been w/ H-4350. One of my 243's however does like IMR-7828. That's not in the usual lineup, it's a bit on the slow side but atleast in this one particular rifle it's very accurate and it's fast enough for what I need out of that rifle. All of the other big hitters have been mentioned.

 

[Larryh128]

H4831SC has been a very good powder with heavier bullets.

 

[K22]

My first choice would be IMR 4350. I have three 243's and it works outstanding for all bullet weights 80 grain and above. I would also start with Federal 210 match primers.

 

[TimP]

My best accuracy has been with IMR 4350. I have tried VV N165 and H 4350 and although I get about 100 FPS more with these powders IMR 4350 had been more accurate. I am running 115gn DTAC's in a 26" Krieger 7.5 twist. Federal 210M primers have worked for me as well.

 

[Dave T]

For my .243 most of the powders mentioned above have worked well for me but I have found that Hybrid 100V gives me the best velocity with accuracy in my gun using Nosler 95 grn partitions.
Dave T

 

[Jeff Peinhardt]

+1 for Hybrid 100V

 

[lpreddick]

re barrel life in the .243...not the best of 6mms. read somewhere a paper re powder burn rate vs barrel erosion(life), and the slower burning powders were more likely to burn a barrel more and sooner than a faster one. most cartridges shooting heavy for cal bullets do best with slower powders, so there is a tradeoff. my vote is for H4350 and esp rel17!

 

[hdfireman]

Thanks Guys. This helps a lot. I'm going to go with Federal 210 primers and have decided to start with H4350 or IMR4350

 

[fredhorace77]

I have three main powders I use in the 243 varget for 55-75gr. bullets and H4350 for 85-95gr bullets and H4831sc for 95gr and heavier

 

[hdfireman]

Fred, What is you COAL on 105 VLD or 107 SMK?

 

[Bugs]

I currently mess with a half dozen different .243's and have had many more come and go over the years. . for bullets from 80 to 90 grains, I keep going back to H414 / ww760.

 

[Scott Harris]

with 105gr target bullets....
H4350 is my go-to powder even though it does not fill the case.
H4831sc has worked well and fillls the case.
I had no luck with VV N160....would try VV N165 instead...but sticking to Hodgdon at this point.

 

[eric32]

+1 for IMR4831 its just a hair faster than h4831 and its fill the case and the recoil doesnt feel very sharp. its more of a soft roll effect

 

[.260 james]

I had some pretty excellent results from Reloder 17 and 95 grain bergers in a short barrelled hunting rifle.

 

[wbm]

+1 for Hybrid 100V

+2

Savage Action, Criterion 1-8 Barrel

Have used every bullet and powder combination recommended (and more than a few that were not) in the .243 over the years but this load is one of the best I have ever tried.

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