Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles .243 85 tsx and H4831

Anyone using this combo in a .243 700. I want to make it work but don't have any data. Barnes tells me they don't either and to just modify IMR 4831 data.

Just looking for someone who has a load that works well, usually one end of the spectrum for a givin caliber works better than the other.

Thanks

Ryan

Know what you mean, have been using stocks of powder and bullets on hand. Not much out ther for this combo, the only loads I found on loaddata.com show:

85 Sierra 49.0 H-4831 - this one was listed as "hot" so be careful. I wouldn't take it up that much.
85 Nosler Partition up to 47.5 H4831sc

I've used 46.0 IMR-4831 and the Sierra 85 HPBT with Fed 210's in my M700. Didn't chrono it but based on entirely subjective feel of blast, recoil and very rounded primer appearance it's a moderate load. My rifle doesn't seem to care for 85-87 grain bullets as a rule but this one shot as well as any in that weight range.

Most reloading books show a H4831 powder load for a 90 gr. bullet. and they show 48 grs as max.

therefore you start at 47 grs. just to be safe and work up a grain at a time, probably to around 50 or 51 grains will get your max load..You work up to your individual rifles max load. That is what you should do anyway with any book max load..Never start a book max.

I've been shooting my 243(s) for over 40 years and using H4831(SC). My all around load as long as I can remember has been is 49 grs/H4831(SC) and the 85 gr Sierra HPBT. This load has never shown any signs of pressure in my rifles. However, I've been told that Barnes bullets create a little more pressure, so be careful when starting out. Ben

My Hodgdon @26 manual lists 44.0 min. to 48.0 max with an 85 grain pill (no particular pill listed). I loaded some up at 44 with a Sierra HPBT and gave em a try in a Sako varmint and was really impressed! At 44 grains it's only running around 2850 fps. but shoots tiny little groups!!

Your mileage may vary!! Start low and work up!!