Best powder for .243 win.

[stx kid]

Howdy yall!

So I'm looking for the best load recipe for my Ole' Spine Snapper. I'm not looking for anything too fancy, but I would like to keep the tightest grouping possible for the price.

Lets see what our master brass chefs can come up with!!

 

[Vaquero]

IMR 4350 works best in mine.

 

[Paul5388]

The most accurate loads we've had were loaded with Blue Dot. The velocity is only 2200 fps or so, but they will shoot very good out to 200 yards or so. We started with 16.0 gr and worked up to 18.2 gr, looking for the best accuracy.

Just so you know, Blue Dot is shotgun powder and you won't find this data published in too many places. However, I'm looking at a can of Unique that says "Unique Smokeless Rifle" when most people only think of it for shotguns and handguns. I might also add that several deer have been harvested with the load above.

 

[stx kid]

Good to know Paul! Though I have read a lot of good things about 4350 .

 

[Paul5388]

I've used Blue Dot for everything from .22 Hornet to .45-70 and usually have good results from it. The "formula" is to weigh a case full of Blue Dot, struck off even with the case mouth, and then start with 40% of that weight. The 18.0 gr .243 load I posted above is at about 45%. 7mm Mag and .300 Win Mag shoot pretty good at 27.5 gr. Most consider 60% to be maximum, but you'll probably find the most accuracy at lower percentages.

 

[gdouthit]

I'm using IMR 4064 pushing a 95 gr nosler ballistic tip and getting really good groups at 100 yards

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[deemus]

My Lyman book said H4831 was the "potentially most accurate" powder, so I used it. I will check my loads tonight or the exact powder charges, but its really accurate.

I used my tried and true method of loading 4 sets of bullets with 1/2 grain increments difference in each. (For example: 36.0, 36.5, 37.0, 37.5)

I found the one my girl's gun likes, shooting 95g Hornady SST's, I use 38.3g of H4831. Rifle is a youth model Rem 770.

 

[cdhknives]

I have good luck with Hodgdon 4350 and, surprisingly, Hodgdon 414 (also sold as Winchester 760...same powder, different label). 4831 works for 95-100 grain bullets but my 243 likes 80-85 grainers best.

 

[Paul5388]

I only have a .243 in a Handi rifle and I traded the barrel it had for a bull barrel. Regardless of what they claim for twist, it won't shoot a 100 gr bullet worth a hoot! It reminds me of the problem Remington had with the .244.

BTW, I put a .25-06 barrel on the .243 frame and it shoot good now!

 

[shortround]

4831 is a good compromise for all 6mm bullet weights.

 

[stx kid]

well... as I'm a cheapass I'd rather use a powder I've already got. with that in mind, do yall think that H322 would work?

 

[deemus]

Never used it.

But here is what the 4831 will do.

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