reloading 243 win

[vtpoolman]

looking to reload 243 win with 95 g sst was wondering witch powder would be better imr 4064 or imr 4350
any and all input would be appreciated. thanks

 

[Silent Sam]

Stay away from that "witch powder" :evil: . Both will work. I think 4350 is a better choice if it will shoot in your gun.

 

[sourdough44]

Either may work well, I'd go with 4350.

 

[Cholo]

4350 is sweet in my Ruger .243.

 

[scooter]

4350 is what i use also

 

[GP100man]

Well , in mine I had instant positive results with H-414 & 100 gr.SP Hornadys

Switched bullets ,load went to pot with a Hornady 87gr SP so I put some IMR 4895 behind it & rite back to MOA or better if I do my part & tried the 4895 under the 100 gr. it likes it too !!

Gave up the jacketed & went to cast , talk `bout daunting task !!! 30 cal. is easy compared to 6mm/243 !!

 

[Mobuck]

I've had good results using 4064/4895 with 243 bullets on the lighter end(70-87 gr). For the 90 & up weights, I like the slower powders in the H414/4350 range. The last 243 ammo I loaded was using a Ramshot powder in that range and they turned up some very nice groups at upper end velocities.
I don't load for the 243 every year and 2010 was the year so unless I decide I want something different from my standard loads, I won't load 243 again until I run low on supply.

 

[rich e]

I try to use one powder for all my rifle loads, and IMR4064 seems to do a good job, but, being partial to it, I decided to check Sierra's 5th edition to see what they reccomend. It appears that they reccomend IMR4064 for there hunting loads in both 85 abd 100 grain bullets.

 

[Snake45]

Before I started loading .243 I checked lots of sources and 4350 seemed to be the "go-to" powder for the cartridge, so that's what I used. And it's all I've ever used in .243 (though I admit my reloading experience with .243 is shall we say minimal).

 

[Sax.45]

I have used both IMR 4064 and 4350 with that bullet weight, I had better luck with the 4350.

 

[hammie]

When selecting a powder I try to look at the expansion ratio, i.e. the change in bore volume divided by the case capacity. The lower the expansion ratio, the slower the powder is needed. You can calculate a correlative index to this by simply dividing the groove diameter squared, by the case capacity. If you do that for several cartridges, you can see pattern of burning rates develop. The .243 looks like it would do better with slower powders.

I concur with the consensus here, and I, too, have good luck with 4350 and H414. Lately I've been moving away from ball powders and using more extruded powders. The ball powders sure do meter nicely, but 4350 short cut meters nearly as easy and accurately. Ball powders seemed less forgiving when you approached max loads. Things would seem to be OK, and then suddenly you would get a sudden pressure spike. The pressures from extruded powders seemed to be more linear as you increased charges and give you a little more warning. Plus with extruded powders you don't have to worry about using a standard or magnum rifle powder for consistent ignition.

 

[Sagebrush Burns]

I've had the best results with slower powders in the 243. My best loads (75 and 100 grain bullets) have used IMR-4831, H-4831, and H-450.

 

[mag41vance]

I am getting ready to do some testing with R-22 in my M77 6mm rem, and my .243 Hawkeye Tactical.
I'll let you know in a month or so.

 

[Mobuck]

My 243's seem to prefer the IMR4350/H414 rate powders for 90-100 grain bullets.

 

[I_Like_Pie]

I use 4350 on my 85 and 100 grain 243 loads. Used W748 with success, but 4350 is about as versatile as it gets it also works on my 257 Roberts and 25-06 great.

 

[Snake45]

I use 4350 on my 85 and 100 grain 243 loads.

Pie, what's your preferred charge of 4350 with 85 grainers?

 

[I_Like_Pie]

I am not using the boat tails but the regular hollow points. I started at 41grains and worked my way up to 43....ended up at 42 grains being the most accurate for me. Must note that I am using Hodgdon and not IMR Here is a pic of the page out of the manual I used Hodgdon 26th. The pressure is in CUP not PSI. Is is sailing around 3050-3100 at the muzzle.

Click for larger


...Will turn a coyote inside out. Man I love .243