What Powder Feeds Your .243 Win.?

[Patriot_1776]

I am planning to get a .243 in the near-to-mid future, in a Vanguard Synthetic to be exact, and I wanted to find out what powder seems most suited to the cartridge. 

For example, we've got W231 for the 45 ACP, Re15 and IMR 4064 for .308 and 30-06; now what's the one for the .243?  Getting the idea now? 

I am thinking about starting with H4350, since it is one of the "extreme" powders, and Varget or H414 as secondary choices.  The bullet I'm eyeing right now is Sierra's 100gr. BTSP at a targeted velocity range of 2600-2800fps. This particular load would be used for tactical rifle matches, in which you are certain to encounter steel plates and/or paper targets out to 600yds.  I'm also looking at it from an economical point of view; prices have gone up dramatically, and the pay does not go up with it.  Did you know I put out over $26 for a 100ct. box of 168gr. Sierras?!  Geez! 

 

[victorcharlie]

I've had very good luck with IMR4831.

[Val]

My 100 grain Nosler Partition loads uses 41.5 grains of IMR 4350 for a chronographed muzzle velocity of 2872 fps. My 70 grain Nolsler Ballitic Tip varmint loads like 41 grains of IMR 4064 with a muzzle velocity of 3256.

[dave375hh]

The best powders I've used in the .243 so far are H-4831SC And H-414 as a close second. The H-414 gives faster vel. but the H-4831SC is more accurate. My .243 is a model 70 Varmint so my loads have been with 65 to 75gr varmint bullets only so far. I got the 65gr up to 3720 fps. with the H-414 but it was obviously too hot, and did show signs of high pressure, sticky extraction and ejector marks on the case heads.

[Don Fischer]

I use IMR 4250 w/75gr Hornady V-max. Tried other powders in this rifle but never got the bugs worked out of the bedding and quit on others. If I was to start over I'd try IMR 4831, H414 and maybe RL-19. Personally I think I'd also try Hornadys 105gr A-Max bullet. When I got my 6.5x06, I had it built around a certain bullet. What I found was that the thing liked another bullet of the same weight much better. Go figure, second guessed by a rifle!

[Siskiyou]

My .243 is my coyote and other varmit rifle.  H414 pushing 80 gr. bullets does the job.  H414 produces good velocity, accurate loads, and easy to load.   I have found that IMR4350 and H4831 produce accurate loads with 100 gr. and 105 grain bullets.  At the time I was playing with heavier bullets I did not have H414 so I did not test it.

[Patriot_1776]

Thanks for the input so far and please keep them coming. 

At this rate, I would not hesitate giving H4831SC a try first.  Would anyone here disagree that IMR 4064 is an excellent powder for the 243 Win.?  I see Val's likes 41gr. with 70gr bullets.  The more I've researched it, I think the 90gr. FMJBT from Sierra might be a better choice for my intended purpose.  Both H4831SC and IMR 4064 report excellent velocities for that bullet in my manual.  Since the 243 Win. is a direct offspring from the .308 Win., I can't see many reasons why IMR 4064 wouldn't work with most bullet weights...unless most of you have found the 243 Win. plain shoots better with a slower powder.

The other reason is my 30-06 shoots great when I use IMR 4064 behind 168gr. Sierra MKs.  It would help some to use the same powder in the 243 Win.; simply put, just buy an 8lb. container and I'd be set for a while. 

[Davemuzz]

H-414 with Nosler's 70gr, 80gr, or 100 gr bullets. I shoot 'em out of my new .243 T\C pro-Hunter. Sub-MOA on all of these loads.

[Ifishsum]

I've also had good luck with H-414, behind 75 gr V-max bullets.  Haven't worked up a heavier bullet load yet, but I'll probably try something different for that, maybe 4350.

[MnMike]

I have no real use for a .243 so I bought a HandiRifle in .243 (it was cheap). Varget has been the best, but the rifle seems to shoot to two different spots. If I do 6 shots I will have three in a nice (sub MOA) group and another three in a nice group 4" lower. I have tried things from the Handi forum with no improvement. I guess you get what you pay for. At any rate, Varget is worth a try.

mike

[Davemuzz]

Mike,

I'm probably not tellin you anything you don't already know, but that is really strange. Varget meters pretty good, but I have to ask, do you, or have you weighed each charge just for giggles to see if your powder meter is throwing consistent loads?

Dave

[kenscot]

My rifle really like 38gr. of varget with sierra 85gr HPBT's makes for .5" MOA groups

[Patriot_1776]

Thanks very much to everyone for their input.  Now I'll have an easier time deciding what powder to try first.   

[Jerry Lester]

Another vote for the IMR 4831. In several 243 rifles, including a couple Handi Rifles, it's consistantly given me(and friends) the best velocity along with very tight(weighed charges) groups using Sierra 100g BTSP's which happen to be the best deer bullet you can load in a 243 in my opinion.

I also like Varget, but it seems to work best with the lighter weight bullets.

[nofun1]

I have used all of the above powders with pretty good results. but the vey best results have come from 48.5 gr H1000 behind a sierra 100gr spitzer, in one gun and same charge behind a 100 Nosler BTin the other.(both rem 700's) I know this powder is supposed to be to slow but I get 3000 fps at 1/2" out of both guns. I dont seem to have any pressure signs.

[Steve P]

Another 2 votes for H4831.
85 Sierra's are one ragged hole at 100 from my Ruger 77 in .243.
95 grain partitions are 1/2" group in my Winchester model 70 .243 WSSM

Steve   

[lilabner]

For hunting with 100 gr. Noslers, I am using 47 gr. IMR 7828, Winchester brass and CCI LR primers. In my Savage, this is a very accurate loading. IMR got a measured 3050 fps from a 22 inch barrel with this load and moderate pressure. It is not a target load, though.

[RWH24]

I use the Sierra 1515 80gr SBT Blitz Varmiter bulley w/IMR 4064. Accurate and lethal on predators
Sierra 100gr SBT GameKing w/IMR 4350
CCI BR-2 primers
I have loaded Hornady 100gr SPBT bullets and they are very accurate too w/IMR 4350.