Best Powder for .243 WIN?

[labrador76]

G'day gentleman-

Just started reloading and acquired a new .243 in short order. Just wondering if anyone could share some recipes to help me decide on which powder to buy. I currently have IMR 7828, RL19, and a little IMR 4895. I suspect these to be a little slow, except maybe for the 4895.

Also, I am doing a little loading for a buddy in .308 WIN, is there something I can burn accurately in both?

Thanks-

 

[saskcop]

What bullet weight are we talking? For heavy bullets it us hard to beat IMR7828 SSC or my favorite H1000. I used H4350 for 100 grain loads for years with great results. For .308 and .243, 4895 powders can work well in both.

 

[rembolt]

Depending on bullet weight I like H 414,IMR 4064 ,varget and H1000.

 

[labrador76]

Thanks guys-
Bullet weights are sort of mid range in both. I only have 75gr in the 243 right now and 165gr. for the 308. Likely will move down to try some 150s in the .308 as well.

 

[snowshoe]

IMR4064 for the lighter bullets, and H4831 for the 100g bullets.

 

[HIGHRPM]

A couple of tested 243 - 75 grain HP load for you.
IMR4895 41.7 grains-max load, COL 2.640, primer CCI200, MV is approximately 3400 FPS from 20 " barrel.
RL19 44.0 grains, max load, COL 2.615, primer CCI200, MV is approximatley 3100 FPS from 20 " barrel.

I like the IMR load better, less powder so the round is cheaper, less recoil, better speed and very accurate, at least in mine. All COL measurements depend on your gun and the type of bullet, so load accordingly.

 

[mad max78]

Im using imr 4350. 46.8 gr with a 70gr Nosler bt. I'm pushing 3530 fps with no signs of pressure. Extremely accurate out of my A7

 

[notsorichguy]

I use 7828 in my .243.

It is a bit temp sensitive, but it performs well in my rifle.

H-4895 is the only powder I use for 308......

 

[AlexF]

Consider using Varget for light 6mm bullets and all 308 Win bullets weights, using another powder H4350 or H4831 for heavy 6mm bullets.

light 70gr bullets - Varget
light 80gr bullets - Varget
heavy 95gr - H4350
heavy 100gr - H4350 or H4813

Varget works wonderfully well in all 308 Win bullet weights but H4350 and H4831 is not useful for this cartridge.

Alex

 

[Sask/AB hunter]

I have been loading 70gr Nosler ballistic tips with H380 and am very happy with the results. Not sure about using it in 308 load.

 

[RoscoeP]

I switched to H4350 and my groups shrunk from moa to 1/3 moa. Cheers Roscoe

 

[1shot]

I've been using IMR4350 with great results, now moving into H414 due to improved metering.

 

[Lead Loader]

+1 on the varget, i use it for my 70 grn target gun, can cloverleaf at 100 and 200

 

[DFarmer]

I've been using IMR4350 with great results, now moving into H414 due to improved metering.

We have used IMR 4350 for years and have been very happy with the results, especially with 100gr bullets. We are now reloading 55 and 75 gr bullets with H414, and it is working very well for us also.

 

[Andy]

I have been loading 70gr Nosler ballistic tips with H380 and am very happy with the results. Not sure about using it in 308 load.

For light bullets in the 243, H380 is excellent. It's useful in the 308 for medium-weight (up to 150 gr) bullets.

H380 might be the most underused rifle powder extant. IMR4320 might be a close second.

 

[Eagleye]

For light bullets in the 243, H380 is excellent. It's useful in the 308 for medium-weight (up to 150 gr) bullets.

H380 might be the most underused rifle powder extant. IMR4320 might be a close second.

Andy speaks the truth here!! I also use these two numbers in my Swift, My 243's and 6mm's and my 303 British with great results.

Regards, Eagleye.

 

[horseman2]

I like H414 (supposedly similar to WW760) for its smooth metering qualities.
Quite accurate too with the Sierra 85 grain HPBT . . .

 

[rar]

ive been using win 760 and imr 4831 for the 100 grain bullets.