Which powder for my .243 AI.

OKBrent

OKBrent

New member
I've posted some info on my new .243 Ackley over the past few weeks... I have been using H 414 powder and I seem to be getting some pretty good pressure signs around 50 to 50.5 grs. @ 3800fps. I posted some info about my groups and where I should go from here and I think I want to try another powder. My problem is it is hard to find reloading data on this caliber. Some of you suggested Reloader 17, 19, and 25. How do I decide which one. Other than thier names are diffrent they are the same to me??? I hate to ask for more help, but the "bones " you guys throw me sure cut the learning curve and save me money. Thanks again....Here is what I have. 1-12 twist and I am shooting the 70 gr Berger target Match. Any other powders or pet loads would be helpful, Thanks again, Brent
 
h414/w760 are good powders... I have had good luck with them...
also the 4350's.... I have used 6mm remington load data as a starting point in looking for load data... I start under 6mm remington info and have in some cases worked up above it...

I have a 243ai and have had super good luck with vn550 i think it is a really good powder for the 243ai sized case and 60 to 75 gr bullets.. it is expensive... but ... $15 or so is not much in the overall of my firearms hobby/addiction
I am getting 3770 with 68 to 70 gr bullets.... low ES and real good accuracy without excessive pressure signs.....
R
 
For mine and 70 gr bullets-H4350, Reloader 17 & Varget. Varget shot the best groups. Reloader 17 shot the fastest fps(by far). H4350 fell somehwere in between.
 
For my 243 AI, 243 and 260AI Varget seems to get the best groups for me and H450 I get the best speed but I will not be winning bench rest comps with the groups but still under .5 to .75 MOA.
 
Best for me have been W760 and H414. One gun has 13" twist and the load is 48+ gr/760 with a 70TNT at 3860. The other gun is 9-1/2" twist, most accurate 70gr load is doing 3746 with 50gr/414 powder. Both have the same length barrel by the same manufacturer, and the same chamber.....the faster twist is much fussier about loads.
 
OKBrent, I use Win 760 and AA2700, about 48.5g with a CCI250 with a 70g Nosler, 70g TNT, or my 70g Low drags at 3850.

Accuracy is in the 2's or smaller with the above load.

Barrels and lot# of powder vary, so you have to take my info with a grain of salt.

With the above load, I have never full length sized a case...NEVER!

I have a question...what brand of brass are you using? I am using Rem 7/08 brass with the necks turned. Case capacity of my brass may be different than yours.

Brent, if you go to a stick powder, be prepared for more throat growth vs the use of a ball powder...we found this out in the p. dog wars.

Folks say that H414 and Win 760 are the same...I have not found that to be true...close but not interchangable with 414 being a tad bit slower.

Your choice in brand of brass may be an issue. I have had perhaps a dozen 243 AI's with 1-12 twists , partner also. We pretty much shot the same load in all of those barrels(Hart). Now, our barrels were 28-30" long to get those velocities.

The one that I have now(30") will go to 4030 fps with 50.5g of Win 760 and the Win Mag primer makes all the difference in the world.

OKBrent, how long is your barrel?



I am wondering if you have a soft lot of brass?
 
I dont load for the 243 AI, but I use IMR 4831 to push a 85gr speer spitzer bt bullet to 3600 FPS in my 243 mag.
This poweder may be a little to slow burning for the 70 gr bullet! I chose it for my rifle not only because of the accuracy/velocity, but also because it feels the case well.
 
Originally Posted By: wdchuckhuntrFor mine and 70 gr bullets-H4350, Reloader 17 & Varget. Varget shot the best groups. Reloader 17 shot the fastest fps(by far). H4350 fell somehwere in between.

I dont own a 243 AI, but this is exactly what I was thinking for you. Here is a link they might have the 243 AI they have [beeep] near everything enjoy. http://www.reloadersnest.com/rifle.asp
 
Ackleyman. I am shooting a Hart 26" barrel 1-12 twist. The brass I am using is Lapua 243. I thought I needed the 1-12 twist to stablize the lighter bullets like 70 grs? Thanks again, Brent
 


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