Ideal powder for .243?

ryalred · January 6, 2009, 10:23 AM

What are considered ideal powders for the .243? What powders are designed specifically for the .243? Which consistently produce the best groups in a variety of rifles?

Sam06 · January 6, 2009, 10:55 AM

I think H414 would win out but IMR 4064 and N135 are a close second.

Sam06 · January 6, 2009, 11:00 AM

ryalred, It sounds like you are getting ready to go buy some powder

If that is the case go get some Varget. It works in just about all non-magnum rifle cartridges. I does a good job but not great in all. But for standard length cartridges it is a good powder from 223-45/70. It is a very forgiving powder and is not to temp sensitive like H4141.

My 2 cents worth

crowbeaner · January 6, 2009, 02:33 PM

I load several powders in the 243. Light bullets get 4895 or 4320. Medium bullets get 4350,760 or H414. Heavy bullets get H414, 4831 or my favorite IMR7828. VV N140,150,160,550 and 560 work, but are simply too expensive for me.

mkl · January 6, 2009, 02:48 PM

If you have any IMR4831 around, be sure to give it a try with just about any bullet weight.

For some reason, my Model 70 in .243 just loves the stuff, even though it's not thought of as a powder of first choice.

I get 3/4 inch 5-shot groups @ 100 yards using it with both the Sierra 75 grain HP and the Hornady 87 grain SP.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · January 6, 2009, 03:13 PM

I use H4895 with 95 grain bullets and found it works great. H4895 is compatible with many calibers....

Scorch · January 6, 2009, 03:41 PM

H450

bob kk · January 6, 2009, 03:44 PM

I've ben using IMR 4895 with 70 or 75 grain bullets for about 30 years.
It worked good in my Win heavy barrel that I stuck with it. Shot a lot of one hole groups with it. Can't do it now gun is old and so am I.
Used some Win 760 in a Rem 788 .243 just because it meters good. Shot
O-K. But 4895 was better.

tom234 · January 6, 2009, 05:31 PM

+1 for IMR4895 and 75 gr bullets. I've found IMR4320 more accurate with 100 gr bullets

The Lovemaster · January 6, 2009, 06:01 PM

Problem with Varget right now is you can't find any. Anywhere. Local or online.

Election-panicked folks bought it all up. Supplies should free up in a few weeks with any luck. It's an awesome powder.

PCJim · January 6, 2009, 06:18 PM

IMR4350 for 100 gr Hornady SPBT. I made a three shot 100 yard group of less than .88 inches Saturday when re-sighting my LSA-55. And that was with a plywood "V" rest under the forearm and the buttstock on my shoulder. No lead sled.

ryalred · January 7, 2009, 03:02 PM

Thanks to all for your input. I have been using Varget with good results with bullets up to 80 grain, but I'm having trouble getting heavier bullets (90 to 100 grain) to shoot tight groups. I thought I might try another powder before I gave up on my gun (Ruger M77 with heavy/bull barrel). I haven't checked the twist on it. Since it shoots the light bullets (58 to 80 grain) so well, it might not shoot the heavier bullets.

January 6, 2009, 10:23 AM	#1
ryalred Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Location: SE Oklahoma Posts: 491	Ideal powder for .243? What are considered ideal powders for the .243? What powders are designed specifically for the .243? Which consistently produce the best groups in a variety of rifles? __________________ ryalred rifle & muzzleloader -- exhilarating bowhunting -- obsession reloading -- addicted

January 6, 2009, 10:55 AM	#2
Sam06 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Fayettenam Posts: 1,086	I think H414 would win out but IMR 4064 and N135 are a close second. __________________ The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.

January 6, 2009, 11:00 AM	#3
Sam06 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Fayettenam Posts: 1,086	ryalred, It sounds like you are getting ready to go buy some powder If that is the case go get some Varget. It works in just about all non-magnum rifle cartridges. I does a good job but not great in all. But for standard length cartridges it is a good powder from 223-45/70. It is a very forgiving powder and is not to temp sensitive like H4141. My 2 cents worth __________________ The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.

January 6, 2009, 02:33 PM	#4
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I load several powders in the 243. Light bullets get 4895 or 4320. Medium bullets get 4350,760 or H414. Heavy bullets get H414, 4831 or my favorite IMR7828. VV N140,150,160,550 and 560 work, but are simply too expensive for me. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

January 6, 2009, 03:13 PM	#6
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	I use H4895 with 95 grain bullets and found it works great. H4895 is compatible with many calibers.... __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

January 6, 2009, 02:48 PM	#5
mkl Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 494	If you have any IMR4831 around, be sure to give it a try with just about any bullet weight. For some reason, my Model 70 in .243 just loves the stuff, even though it's not thought of as a powder of first choice. I get 3/4 inch 5-shot groups @ 100 yards using it with both the Sierra 75 grain HP and the Hornady 87 grain SP.

January 6, 2009, 03:41 PM	#7
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	H450 __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

January 6, 2009, 03:44 PM	#8
bob kk Member Join Date: October 6, 2008 Location: E Tn Posts: 56	I've ben using IMR 4895 with 70 or 75 grain bullets for about 30 years. It worked good in my Win heavy barrel that I stuck with it. Shot a lot of one hole groups with it. Can't do it now gun is old and so am I. Used some Win 760 in a Rem 788 .243 just because it meters good. Shot O-K. But 4895 was better.

January 6, 2009, 05:31 PM	#9
tom234 Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 753	+1 for IMR4895 and 75 gr bullets. I've found IMR4320 more accurate with 100 gr bullets

January 6, 2009, 06:01 PM	#10
The Lovemaster Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 416	Problem with Varget right now is you can't find any. Anywhere. Local or online. Election-panicked folks bought it all up. Supplies should free up in a few weeks with any luck. It's an awesome powder.

January 6, 2009, 06:18 PM	#11
PCJim Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 570	IMR4350 for 100 gr Hornady SPBT. I made a three shot 100 yard group of less than .88 inches Saturday when re-sighting my LSA-55. And that was with a plywood "V" rest under the forearm and the buttstock on my shoulder. No lead sled.

January 7, 2009, 03:02 PM	#12
ryalred Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Location: SE Oklahoma Posts: 491	Thanks to all for your input. I have been using Varget with good results with bullets up to 80 grain, but I'm having trouble getting heavier bullets (90 to 100 grain) to shoot tight groups. I thought I might try another powder before I gave up on my gun (Ruger M77 with heavy/bull barrel). I haven't checked the twist on it. Since it shoots the light bullets (58 to 80 grain) so well, it might not shoot the heavier bullets. __________________ ryalred rifle & muzzleloader -- exhilarating bowhunting -- obsession reloading -- addicted

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