Favorite Powders for .243 with 100gr. Bullets

[Cary]

I inherited a Ruger M77 Mark II in .243 from my deceased father-in-law. I started reloading for it yesterday using some H414 that I already had on hand. I used Dan Newberry's Optimal Charge Weight method today and came up with a load combination that looks promising using the H414. I will do some tweaking on that load to see where it leads me. I'm using Remington PSPCL 100 gr bullets. I also have some Varget on hand I may try as well. What powders work good for you in the .243 using 100 gr. bullets? I'm predominantly a target shooter looking for accuracy and something fun to shoot. Thanks for your help.
Cary

[emcon5]

Haven't tried 100 grain bullets, but I have excellent luck (http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4442502&highlight=berger#post4442502) with IMR 4064 with 90 grain Bergers.

[Usertag]

I use Bullseye Powder. With 55 Grain Bullets. 55gr Has more speed then a 100gr. As well, as the same ft/lb.

[emcon5]

I use Bullseye Powder.

You sure about that? Bullseye is a good pistol powder, and way too fast for a .243.

With 55 Grain Bullets. 55gr Has more speed then a 100gr. As well, as the same ft/lb. That is pretty much meaningless. 55gr .243 bullets are all varmint bullets. Remington 100 gr. PSPCL 100 is a good big-game bullet.

[GURU1911]

40.0 grains of imr / aa #4350 plus a 100 grain hornady / sierra / nosler with a standard large rifle primer, is powerful "ju-ju" for deer. Velocity will be approximately 2950 for 22" barrels. Have been using this combo for almost 40 years, with much success.

Guru1911

[GP100man]

My 243 likes H-414 ,4064 & 4350 in this order with the 100 gr bullets .


Just got the mould I`ve been looking for for a yr. almost & gonna go lead with the 243 !!!

[PawPaw]

I use Reloder 22 with 100 grain bullets.

[TheNatureBoy]

I've done well with IMR 4350 and 4064 under a 100gr pil. Haven't hunted with H414 yet but loaded some and took it to the range and shot a tight group.

[Rifleman1776]

H414

[Jim243]

First congratulations on the inheritance and condolence to you and your wifle on the father-in-law.

On bullets over 55 grains (unless for special applications) my powder of choice is Hodgdon's H-4895. I have also used IMR-4350 for that caliber, but I find that H-4895 gave more consistant results.

This is one of the personal choice items since there are a lot of good powders that can be used. It has always given me good results so it is my personal choice.


Good luck
Jim

[Cary]

Thanks for the replies. When this thread has run the course I will print it off and keep it for reference in my load notes. As I mentioned, I already have the H414 and Varget on hand not being used for anything else. H414 looked to be listed in several locations as a good contender so that was why I started with it. I got a good price on the bullets so thus the Remington 100 gr. PSPCL. H335 is another powder I have on hand I'm not using and may also see how it works in the .243. As a reloader I like to experiment with different combinations of bullets, powders, and other variables associated with this hobby doing it in a safe manner.
GP100man-I cast for all my lever guns and they haven't seen a jacketed bullet for quite some time. I don't plan to use cast in this .243 but would be very interested in your results as I am all things casting related.:)

Cary

[CTS]

I have been using 43.8 gr of H4831 behind Hornady 100gr BTSP with Winchester brass and Federal #210 primers with pretty good success.

[black mamba]

Varget is an excellent and usually a very accurate powder. It may be better for accuracy loads at lower load density, while the 414 being a ball powder should be better with pretty full power loads. Both powders are a little fast for top velocities in .243.

[William T. Watts]

H4831, IMR7828, IMR4350 in this order with 4350 used with the lighter bullets. William

[castnblast]

Two loads work really good and were actuall INTERCHANGEABLE which I have never seen in my reloading experience of 25 hrs+

Hodgdon H4530 at 40 grs even and hodgdon hybrid V 100 - I'll have to verify the charge on that one and re-post. I have some test loads with RL17 that I have not shot yet

Looking at case proportion to bullet size you will find that it mimics properties of a large magnum in terms of it liking slow powders for bullets in the 90gr + range. I tinker all the time because I enjoy it and the gun is fun to shoot. I think 4895 will be too fast for the 100 gr and may yield too high of presure in relation to the resulting velocity. Recall that pressure is what burns barrels - if you can get an accuracy round with higher velocity and less pressure your barrel will live a lot longer.

[Cary]

Thanks for the information from all of you.

Cary

[federali]

IMR 4320 and 4350 have always worked well for me in two .243s. The 100 grain bullet is very effective on deer sized game. Don't let anyone tell you that a .243 is too light for deer.

Also, stick with recommended loads. I've never ever seen any load published that puts Bullseye pistol powder in a center fire bottle-necked rifle cartridge.

[Doyle]

Try RL-17. It tends to work well with bullets that are towards the heavy end of the spectrum for a particular caliber.

[old roper]

In the 243 I've always used IMR-4350 and IMR-3031 with 80gr to 100gr bullets. I've been shooting little IMR-4007ssc just need to shoot it more will do that after elk season.

I started shooting IMR-4007ssc in a 243AI and I was real surprised with the velocity over IMR-4350 accuracy was equal.

[tom234]

I've found IMR 4320 works the best for 100 gr bullets and IMR 4895 for lighter bullets. IMR 4350 was OK but nothing spectacular. IMR 4350 worked best in .30-06 180gr loads.

[Cary]

Thanks to all you guys for your input on this. I have printed this off and put in my load notebook for future reference.:)
Cary

[mrawesome22]

IMR7828. Great velocity and great case fill.

Who the heck said Bullseye? lmao :confused::rolleyes:

[Mike Irwin]

I've not loaded for the .243 for some years, but when I did I used IMR-4064 for all bullet weights for it.

Got very good (sub half inch) groups at 100 yards.