Best powder for 243

[Joe R]

argrendel said:
Joe,

Could you elaborate? Hodgdon does not list 8208 for bullets heavier than 80grains. It's faster than Varget by a bit, I believe.

Last year I briefly dabbled with 243 while my main F-TR rifle was getting a new barrel, I used IMR8208xbr and I had good results with it. Unfortunately i didn't keep my notes because I subsequently decided to focus on F-TR and to avoid any temptation I even sold the rifle. I do still have the QuickLoad sheet that I ran on it for OBT.

The major advantage of using IMR8208 is that it is very dense with fine kernels that flow like ball powder. It is very close to Varget, just a tad faster. If you want to go with heavier bullets and are running into case volume issues IMR is ideal for that.

I see now that you have a 9.25 twist, that wont allow you to use the heavier bullets. The 105s need a 7.5 twist.

 

[argrendel]

Thanks for all the input. Can't wait to shoot!

 

[TRG300WM]

243 Win. Speer 80 gr SP, Fed 210 RL17 44 grs 3,362
243 Win. Speer 100 gr BTSP, Fed 210 RL17 40.8grs 3,044
243 Win. Speer 85 gr BTSP, Fed 210 RL17 43.7grs 3,316

 

[JohnKielly]

Wished they still bought Norma 204 into Australia.

 

[Zero333]

I have a mod 11 .243 Savage with the 9.25 twist. Even tho I only use this rifle for hunting deer, I tried 105amax and the 105 Hornady bthp with H-4831 and accuracy was great. Averaged around 5/8moa 5 shot groups. 43gr H-4831/4831sc was the sweet spot.

I have another .243w with an 8 twist.

For the 105grainers I recommend H-4831/4831sc, RL-22/23, RL-25/26

 

[boltgunluvr]

IMR4064, IMR4350 and H4350

 

[wedgy]

I have been working up loads with Reloder 26 after reading a few stories and the stories I read were correct. I got to well over 3400fps 49.0 grains with no pressure using Berger 105 hybrids in a .243 WIN 1:7" 26" barrel Fed 210 WW brass. I'm still working at it but it looks like my hunting load is a 100 grain Cutting Edge(copper) using 47.0 grains a little below 3200fps.
http://www.scout.com/military/snipe...rl26-and-105-in-a-243-at-3400fps-update-dtacs

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/chronograph-speeds-not-working-out-drop-167934/

 

[TRG300WM]

Time will tell on how your brass holds up.

 

[Shaggy357]

+4 44+ grn charge of H4831
Both of mine shoot shoot the 95 Ballistic Tip for practice and the 100 grain Partition for Deer/Antelope.
I have a lot of H414, will have to give it a try...it does measure easy and will go thru the Dillon which will save some trickling time over the H4831...

Steve

 

[tn6br]

80 to 90 gr bullets I use 4831sc meters alot better than the long cut version and was my most accurate powder.

 

[uncle-buck]

Worked up a nice .243 load last week: Sierra 100 gr. SPTs, Lapua cases, CCI #200 primers, and 35.7 gr. of IMR-4064 through a vintage 1970 Parker Hale sporter with 1/10 twist. Very accurate and easy to load.

 

[Homerange]

Downunder ADI2209 has a very good rep for 243's.

 

[Juma]

Downunder ADI2209 has a very good rep for 243's.

Sierra 85gr HP with 44gr 2209. Real killer out to 450m on stags. 2 feet above the shoulder and pull the 2lb trigger.Very accurate.Forget the nonsense about not enough energy at that range. Nailed plenty to never doubt this magic pill.