I've been working up loads using RE26 and RE23 powders with Bergers 105 VLD. 26"Brux 8" twist. Best groups are 1/2 moa. Should be better. seating range from .003 to .025. Am I on the right track with this load? Too slow ?. H4831SC ? What do you suggest
Best powder for 243Win and 105VLD
- Thread starter Methow Packer
- Start date
LA50SHOOTER
Sworn To Protect The Constitution.
+1 on 7828 ssc
I ran 44.0 gr with a 105 gr. hunting VLD Berger in a 28" Benchmark for around 3120 fps (LabRadar) and it had no trouble shooting in the .3's with them right at the lands at 100 yds (No jam, No Jump) - Was using new Lapua Brass and a Fed 210 primer.
N-160, 3180 with 105 hybrid from straight 243
I've loaded 243's with 105+gr bullets with...
H-4350
H-4831 / H-4831sc
H-1000
Retumbo
RL-25
RL-22
Best accuracy was with RL-25 and H-4831 / h4831sc
Second best was with Retumbo.
H1000, RL-22 & H4350 were last in accuracy.
Fastest with good accuracy was Retumbo.
Slowest with best accuracy was H-4831
RL-22 was extremely temp unstable and even if it had been super accurate (which it was not), the POI changed way too much in different temps and not worth my time.
RL-25 had a very accurate slower node and a faster node that was still competition worthy.
But there was a stint of a couple years where I couldn't find RL-25 in Canada, so H-4831 was and still is my go to 243win powder for 85gr+ bullets.
Hope I didn't confuse you more than help you.
Or just ignore all I said and let me say that RL-25 & H-4831 / h4831sc have ALWAYS been most accurate powders in all my 243win's.
H-4350
H-4831 / H-4831sc
H-1000
Retumbo
RL-25
RL-22
Best accuracy was with RL-25 and H-4831 / h4831sc
Second best was with Retumbo.
H1000, RL-22 & H4350 were last in accuracy.
Fastest with good accuracy was Retumbo.
Slowest with best accuracy was H-4831
RL-22 was extremely temp unstable and even if it had been super accurate (which it was not), the POI changed way too much in different temps and not worth my time.
RL-25 had a very accurate slower node and a faster node that was still competition worthy.
But there was a stint of a couple years where I couldn't find RL-25 in Canada, so H-4831 was and still is my go to 243win powder for 85gr+ bullets.
Hope I didn't confuse you more than help you.
Or just ignore all I said and let me say that RL-25 & H-4831 / h4831sc have ALWAYS been most accurate powders in all my 243win's.
long40shot
Gold $$ Contributor
H4350
Thanks. This is great help. I used 7828sc several years ago. Forgot about it though. Looked it up in my log and saw those results too. 43.5 was max at the time in this rifle. I'll work with it again
H4350 is my top choice
Some may laugh but IMR 4350 had also shown some excellent groups.
Some may laugh but IMR 4350 had also shown some excellent groups.
You posted me some good info. I'll focus on Retumbo and H4831sc for sure. Thanks
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
R16 is my powder. I gave all the other ones away.
I like the new Re23 powder in the .243W and use it in many other rifles.
It is a temperature change constant, double base powder that should, all things being equal, would give higher velocities than H4350, H4831 SC. I don't use H1000 in my .243's because I can't pack enough of it inside the case to get desired velocities and Retumbo would be worse. There are many factors that detract from accuracy and to lay blame on a particular powder selection would have a high probability of error. Many popular powders like H4350 are difficult to obtain.
.243 W velocities in the sub 2,900 fps range with pointy 105 grain bullets that produce fine accuracy are more than adequate for paper targets; for field use, like long range varmint hunting using 105 grain bullets, I would go for something faster and bigger. Shooting 87's is an option but is a distraction from this thread.
Now, I gotta look at the Re23 MSDS info seeing if it contains tin or other stuff to mitigate copper fouling. Time marches on and though the marvels of chemistry and technology, logically smokeless powder will improve also.
My expectations are probably less than others but I shoot many rounds of ammo each year and I can buy Re23 for about $5 less per pound than H4350.
The copper fouling stuff - no info on the MSDS but Alliant claims, "contains propriety de-copper additive" meaning if Alliant does not have to say they will not say.
No info on any copper fouling preventative for the Hodgdon single base extruded powders like H4895, H4831, H1000, H4350 and so on.
It is a temperature change constant, double base powder that should, all things being equal, would give higher velocities than H4350, H4831 SC. I don't use H1000 in my .243's because I can't pack enough of it inside the case to get desired velocities and Retumbo would be worse. There are many factors that detract from accuracy and to lay blame on a particular powder selection would have a high probability of error. Many popular powders like H4350 are difficult to obtain.
.243 W velocities in the sub 2,900 fps range with pointy 105 grain bullets that produce fine accuracy are more than adequate for paper targets; for field use, like long range varmint hunting using 105 grain bullets, I would go for something faster and bigger. Shooting 87's is an option but is a distraction from this thread.
Now, I gotta look at the Re23 MSDS info seeing if it contains tin or other stuff to mitigate copper fouling. Time marches on and though the marvels of chemistry and technology, logically smokeless powder will improve also.
My expectations are probably less than others but I shoot many rounds of ammo each year and I can buy Re23 for about $5 less per pound than H4350.
The copper fouling stuff - no info on the MSDS but Alliant claims, "contains propriety de-copper additive" meaning if Alliant does not have to say they will not say.
No info on any copper fouling preventative for the Hodgdon single base extruded powders like H4895, H4831, H1000, H4350 and so on.
Last edited:
lh leggtowner
Silver $$ Contributor
Where do you find the best seating depth is off the lands? I bought a few hundred of these bullets and loaded H4350 with them and couldn't get them to shoot that well at any distance off the lands. 1-8 Bartlein.
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