Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Powders for Speed with 243 Win.

I recently read in the Rifle Mag. a recommendation of Re 22 for best speed in the 243 win. using 100 grain bullets.

I'd like to hear recommendations for the 85-87 grain bullets. I have been using IMR 4350 but my speeds are substantially below 3,000 fps and I have just been saying, "Oh well. That's good enough." Recently though, looking at looming retirement, I am thinking of spending some of my free time working on getting more speed from the ol' workhorse.

Rather than just hitting the reloading books, I thought I would try this forum first as there is such a vast well of experience here.

I am looking for powder recommendations for increasing my mv to at least 3000 fps or higher within acceptable pressure levels. My barrel length is 22 inches and the bullets of choice are 85-87 grain in weight.

vv560

First off I would think you could easily push a little harder with IMR4350 and get above 3000fps. In the 243win almost any powder will get you there if 3000fps is your desired mark.

RL22 will do good with heavier bullets in the 243 but lighter bullets there are much better choices.

You might look at RL17 as an option with 44 grains being max load with 85 grain bullets, start at around 40 grains and work up. I know that 3300fps is obtainable with that combo.

Hunter

Very odd. I used to load listed data for IMR4350 behind Hornady 87s and got 3050 fps in my old M788. My 26" M77 likes H380 with 85-grain BTips for almost 3200 fps. What is your barrel length?



.

I'd tend to lean toward H 380, or IMR 4064, IMR 4895, RL 15 with that bullet weight range..3100 fps should be possible pretty easily..

H 414 would also be a good choice..

Barrel length is 22 inches.

I have good luck with IMR4831 in my 243's with the Sierra 85HPBT.

I've never had trouble breaking 3,100 fps from a 22" .243 with 85/87 grain bullets with IMR-4350.

With H4350 and 85 gr Sierras, I was waaayyy over your desired speed. Keep tilting the can and watch for pressure signs. You have left coins on the table.

I use 43.5grs of H4350 and get right at 3100fps with 87gr Hornady's. I have a 24" barrel, but the brass is perfect, I am not pushing it hardly at all to get that speed.

I get 3,000 in a couple of loads in my Model 7 with 18in barrel.

Neil

PS: That's with 85gr bullets.

QuickLoad software-
Pressure set to 55K psi max
Powder fill 90-105%
Powder vs bullet speed in decending order

Cartridge : .243 Win.
Bullet : .243, 85, Nosler PART SP 16314
Useable Case Capaci: 50.671 grain H2O = 3.290 cm�
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 55000 psi, or 379 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 105 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------

Vihtavuori N560 102.6 49.0 3.17 3168 94.2 55000 13186 1.076 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 101.2 48.5 3.14 3154 94.7 55000 12822 1.068 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 102.9 48.6 3.15 3154 96.4 55000 12855 1.081 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum (Big Boy) 105.0 52.5 3.40 3152 95.3 54903 12993 1.074 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO 102.9 51.1 3.31 3148 92.5 55000 13116 1.085 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 94.8 44.1 2.85 3131 98.8 55000 12028 1.072 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 94.9 45.8 2.97 3118 98.5 55000 12093 1.083 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 97.1 43.4 2.81 3115 98.1 55000 11931 1.076 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 99.3 46.4 3.01 3113 96.2 55000 12235 1.077 ! Near Maximum !

On their website, Barnes lists 45.5 of reloader 17 for their 80 gr. TTSX. at 3,467. I started out at 43 & went up to their listed max. I haven't shot them yet, but will probably get up to the mountains this weekend...New Montana showed up yesterday...I'll chrono them & post. I also loaded a batch of 75 gr. V Max with Varget trying to match velocity, seeings how the BC is similar.

IMR-3031 is the old standby for light bullets in the .243 . The most velocity I've ever gotten from the .243 was with W-785 which is no longer available , but I have a source . IMR-4064 is a good choice too !

Hey oldsap, if you run low on w-785, you might want to try the new Supreme 780 as a replacement. It seems very close to the old slow burning ball powders that winchester has sold for years. We stock it where I work at Rileys in Hooksett,N.H. I'm a fellow Vermonter and have a hunting camp in Topsham. Seems the deer herd has gone to hell in that region. too many coyotes and too many doe tags. 270 guy.

Win 760 for lighter bullets and 4350 for heavier.
jmho
Tim

O.K. The 45.5 grains of Re17 was spitting the TTSX's out at 3550 with no indications of excessive pressure, but the accuracy really sucked big time. I'm still gonna try some tweaks though.
The 75 Gr. Vmax's & 40 gr. of Varget were getting 3450 & shot as sweet as a guy could hope for...I don't even want to mention the 100 gr. remington factory loads...

I like W760 for speed with lighter bullets. I like H-1000 for best speed with 100gr BTs, or Ramshot Magnum is looking good for me, too. Even a touch slower powder can be good, depending on exactly how heavy your bullet are. 760, H-1000, and it looks like Magnum, too, have all produced really excellent OCW loads for me and my 243.

Sierra shows 3200 with IMR 3031 and RE-19, in a 22" barrel.

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra243win.pdf

Hodgdon shows 3309 with Winchester 760 and H414. Probably in a longer barrel though. Sierra is not nearly as optimistic with the 760.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

The 6BR site shows 3300 with the H414 as well.

http://www.6mmbr.com/243Win.html

Nostler puts 4831 fastest with 760 next.

Vihtavuori have the N560 at close to 3300 in a 23" barrel.

http://www.lapua.com/fileadmin/user_upload/esitteet/VihtavuoriReloadingGuideEdition8.pdf

So it looks like you have a few choices to try to see what works best for you.