What 243 Win powder has worked best for you?

Yotehunter59

Yotehunter59

New member
It has been years since I have loaded for the 243 Win. I have an interest in finding the best choice in Velocity and Accuracy (PET LOADS), while using the most common powders. I want to compare with what I have for recipes for the 243 vs what others have found to work for them. What I am looking for is a better load for both light weight (55-75gr.) and heavier weight 85-105gr.) I am currently loading for 100 gr. Nosler Partitions w/IMR-7828ssc. I am trying to redevelop loads to stay with powders that fit more than just one cartridge that I use. I do not want the odd powders such as Viht N560. Again, looking for "PET LOADS" that you know velocity and accuracy of such loads. Varget and Benchmark would be of great interest to me. Thanks, JOHN /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
41 grains of Varget,CCI BR2 primer,Hornady 75 grain V-Max. I haven't taken the calipers to the groups yet at the range, but I don't feel I need to, as it makes one jagged hole at 100 yards, and shoots almost as good at 200 yards. At 330 yards it is about 2-3 inches low...and is ridiculously accurate. "Minute of Groundhog", no doubt. It took me a couple of weeks of load testing to stumble onto this load, but it was worth the wait. I am shooting it through a model 12 savage, mueller eraticator scope, choate varmint stock, adams and bennet 24 inch bull barrel, on a harris bipod. Best shooting gun I've owned yet. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
I have an old Winchester that is VERY fussy. I went through every powder in the closet with poor results. On a lark I tried RX 22 and was very happy with the results. Shoots 1.5" groups when the best I'd ever done before is 3" groups.

90 gr. Scirroccos, Fed. 210, 45 gr RX 22, 2970 fps - deer
80 gr. Sierra SBT, Fed. 210, 46 gr RX 22, 2940 fps - dog
 
Savage 110 A&B SS Fluted Varmit Contour
70 grain Sierra Matchking 39 grains of IMR 4064
90 grain Hornady AMax 38 grains of IMR 4064

Sierra Manual lists H322 at 33.8 grains for 70 grain bullets
and RE-15 at 36.4 grains for 90 grain bullets as most accurate loads. In the 100 grain bullets it likes AA-4064 at 35.0 grains.
 
I have loaded for several 243 cal. rifles over the years using different bullet weights and types. If I start with IMR 4350 I never have to try another powder.
Good luck,
Tuco
 
I used 43g. of H4895 mostly, I've tryed up to 46 grains but the groupings were not as close. I use a hornady 58g. V-max, its a good combo.
Let me know what you end up with.
 
When the 243 was being shot in NRA matches, IMR 4350 was pretty much the normal load with the heavy bullets. You rarely saw anything else being used.

Jack
 
I really get NICE TIGHT Groups with H4350 and the speed is just a bonus. I like the 65 Grain Hornady V-Max and the 95 Hornady SST for larger critters.
 
Quote:
When the 243 was being shot in NRA matches, IMR 4350 was pretty much the normal load with the heavy bullets. You rarely saw anything else being used.

Jack



Thanks Jack, I have loaded IMR 4350 years ago as a standard loading for 100 grain pills, I may be sticking with it because it is one of the powders that I use in my 30-06.

Thanks to everyone else that replied. I have been looking to see if anyone has been doing better with the newer powders available today. I have just about every manual the is to have, but manuals do not show in the field results. Thanks again....JOHN
 
yotehunter

Like you say the IMR4350 is pretty hard to beat with the heavier bullets. With the lighter range bullets you spoke of H414 and W760 are pretty hard to beat as well.
 
IMR 4350 is still my standard choice for heavier bullets. Varget is very impressive with everything up to 85 grains in my Savage. With the 107 Sierra, 95 and 105 Berger, H-1000 and Retumbo are giving impressive velocities and accuracy from my bench guns.
 
A great load for P-Dogs and Coyotes...Works with my Rem 700, 3600 FPS with 5 shot groups you can cover with a dime.

Powder: Varget 39.0 grains
Bullet: Nosler 70 gr. B-Tip
Primer: Rem 9 1/2
 
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