Powder Suggestions for 55gr .243

R

Rodder

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After testing some factory 55gr .243 ammo this weekend and seeing an extreme spread of 90fps, I'd like to give reloading it a shot. I have lapua brass and Nosler 55gr BT varmint projectiles, I'm just a little lost on what to pick up for powder. I've done my fair share of reloading, but it's exclusively been .308 where Varget was an easy choice to make. With .243 and these light projectiles it doesn't seem like there's a clear winner.

I've looked at both the Hornady and Nosler reloading data, and it looks like Varget, H4350, H414, H380, H4895 are all contenders, amongst 4 or so IMR powders. For those that have reloaded these light projectiles, I'd love to get some feedback on what did and didn't work well for them.
 
I used H4895 for my daughter's 243 with the 55s. As an added bonus I made her some reduced loads for practise using the 60% ratio. The reduced load is a lot quieter than the full load moving at 4000 FPS and she can still hit a plastic water bottle at 100yds with no problem without changing the scope zero.
 
For the 55 grains, Sierra manual last online data show an accuracy load - I got good luck starting with that data in many calibers.
Sierra accuracy load is A2015. Do a search - this powder is the choice of many for accuracy. At one time it was marketed as A2015 BR for Benchrest.

If you want max velocity, RE15 is the choice it seem

Varget is also listed, it’s is never a bad choice unless proven otherwise by testing.

Hopefully this help. There is a lot of choice of great bullet in .243 / 6 mm.
 
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For 55gr projectiles my 243 likes A2700 and H414 with Federal LR primers.

I like Varget for my deer/bear rifles, and where I am it's too expensive to load for "target" rounds like (for me) 243. My last batch of Varget was $60+tax in Windsor ON. Ouch.

YMMV.
 
I've used H414 with heavier .243 bullets, 80 gr Nosler BT Varmints. I found it had quite a bit of velocity change from cold weather to hot.

Depending on how far you're shooting, that may not be a problem. If it is, and you intend to build a year round load, try to stick with a powder that doesn't change much due to temperature.

IMR 4831 has worked well for me under 70 gr Sierra Match Kings.

I bought H4350 for my 6.5, with the intention of trying some .243 loads with it too. That hasn't happened.
 
Would a 55gr bullet cause more throat erosion than a heavier bullet, say 75-80gr due to the extreme velocity of the 55gr loads? Or would they be relatively equal due to similar operating pressures?
 
Suther said:
Would a 55gr bullet cause more throat erosion than a heavier bullet, say 75-80gr due to the extreme velocity of the 55gr loads? Or would they be relatively equal due to similar operating pressures?
Click to expand...

I've read online that this is the case but don't have any experience with the 55s other than a box of federal premium which were very accurate.
 
I have tried the 58gr load in the Lyman manual with IMR 4350, worked fabulously, and I am going to load the same powder with my 55gr bullets tonight, and shoot them later this week. Seee how they do. Some fine fella gave me an 8 pounder of IMR 4350, he bought by mistake a few years back...
 
Suther said:
Would a 55gr bullet cause more throat erosion than a heavier bullet, say 75-80gr due to the extreme velocity of the 55gr loads? Or would they be relatively equal due to similar operating pressures?
Click to expand...

223 are one of the better ones for long life ..... but if you do mag dumps .. load to the top of the pressure/ velocity / hot barrel

243 are more of a barrel burner than 308 ... More taper at the mouth of the case
 
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For the very light for caliber, 55 grain Nozler bullets, I use H380 or BLC2. They have proven to be the most consistent for my Voere,

I find the slower powders give decent accuracy but performance really lags. When bullet weights get over 60 grains then I use H380. I prefer ball powders in the 243 cartridge, which can be very sensitive to different powders.

I don't use the 55 grain bullets much because they're just to light for my purposes and bleed of velocity very quickly
 
H414/varget/imr 4350 are my go to for loading 243... I load for 2 rifles and 3 different loads. Speer 100gr btsp, speer 75gr jhp and 95gr berger classic hunters.
 
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