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.243 reloading

6K views 22 replies 14 participants last post by  P-nasty1 
#1 ·
I am just getting started reloading, and still very new everything reloading related. I am trying to reload a cartridge to mimic Hornady 58 grain Superformance vmax. My gun seems to shoot this round really well and I am trying to find reload data for this load, however, I cannot find any load data for the Superformance powder (I would assume because it is a newer powder option) for this load.

I pulled apart one of the factory cartridges and it had 50.5 grains of powder. since I am so new to reloading, I am hesitant to just copy the factory load without knowing more.

Can anyone point me in a direction that I can find more data for this load?
 
#2 ·
Don't copy any thing that way, you have no idea what kind of powder was used in that round. Just because the name of the round is Superperformance, that doesn't necessarily mean that is the powder used.

I just looked at the Hodgdon website and they do not show any data for Superperformance powder with a 58 grain bullet.
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle
 
#3 ·
If you look at the product description for Hogdon Superformance they more than imply that this is the same powder used by Hornady. nonetheless, I agree 100 percent with you...the load data does not appear to be readily available.

This load tends to have similar ballistics to a 22-250 and I am trying to create the same load or something very similar.
 
#5 ·
I suggest you go with a 65 grain bullet or try another powder. I've had good luck with IMR4350 and just loaded a box with H380 which I have yet to shoot.

Good Luck
 
#8 ·
If you like the 58 grain bullet, then by all means shoot that bullet. You need to find a powder that they DO have data for and run some ladder tests to see what performs the same or a close as you can get to that commercial cartridge.

I have no idea as to exactly what the performance is that you are trying to mimic, but here is just one load from Hodgdon's web site for a 58 grain Hornady V-Max bullet using CFE-223 powder. I do have to say that I do not load .243, but I love the performance I get with the CFE powder in my .223 and my .308 rifles.

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and BTW Welcome to The Firearms Forum
 
#12 ·
I didn't reload for the 243 either but reloaded for years for 257 Roberts using a 75 gr. for varmints and had my best performance using 3031 and 4064 powders. With velocities in the 3400 fps range.
I never ever tried to duplicate factory ammo. I loaded to suit the firearm I was using and the task I was using it for. I believe that most brothers above would second that statement. I found much pleasure in finding that very special load that did exactly what I wanted it to do.
 
#13 ·
The Hornady 9th edition reloading handbook lists several loads for this bullet. Although the loaded ammunition is presented as a 3925 fps round, nothing listed for reloading is that fast. The closest you can safely achieve is around 3800 fps, using several different powders. I'd get the book and one of the listed safe powders and go from there, never exceeding the maximum charge listed.
 
#14 ·
The powder in the superformance factory cartridges IS NOT, I repeat IS NOT the canister grade powder that is on the shelves for handloaders to buy.

The superformance powder that we can buy is very finicky and prone to pressure spikes if used in the wrong application. If hodgdon doesn't list it on their website for the cartridge/bullet weight you want to use there's a very good reason for that.
From some of the data I've seen listed for superformance powder, there are a lot of other powders available that outperform it velocity wise.

If you're stuck on that bullet weight, check out some manuals and compare other powders and find one that works for the cartridge/bullet weight. You're more than likely to find 2 or more powders that will give higher velocities than factory cartridges.


Hodgdon is the better place to look for exact velocities. Hornadys velocities are just some kind of weird estimation.
 
#15 ·
Never ever ever take a round of ammo apart and try to tell what it is by looking at it. I have read in the past that factory ammo is often loaded with powder not available to handloader's. I believe Hornady ammo is like that. True or not doesn't matter. Only thing that matter's is you could blow up your rifle. But I can tell you how to get 220 Swift velocities with a 55gr bullet, buy a 220 Swift, don't try to make another cartridge take the place of what you have! I think that the one rule in handloading that is #1 is always error on the side of caution!
 
#17 ·
I would like to thank everyone for weighing in on this post. apparently the wording of my initial post painted a picture that I am an amateur and in mad scientist fashion trying to replicate a factory load by simply dissecting it. I appreciate the fact that many of the folks on this site share a concern for my safety, but please rest assured that I have no intentions to "experiment" with loads that have never been validated. i am an amateur and lack experience, but i am not ignorant enough to gamble life and limb trying to create a "perfect" handloaded round. Hogdon made a claim that their Superformance powder is the same as is used by hornady, but I couldn't find any data to support that this load had ever been tested, so I posted my question for the group. Since there are many experts on this forum, i expected i could learn from the group, and i have. again I appreciate all of the comments.

To get to the bottom of this question, I decided to just call the kind and helpful folks at Hornady, and it turns out that everyone is correct. Hogdon is not making any misleading claims, because the Superformance powder they sell IS for all intents and purposes equivalent to that which is used by Hornady. However, it is only one of the two propietary powders that are blended for this load. that is why there is no load data for Superformance powder with a 58 grain bullet.
 
#19 ·
Camp
Do you have a chronograph? Do you know for sure what the "factory" round produces?
If not, and you are trying to mimic/duplicate you need to know the fps and then use some of the powders listed by moody and Icn have suggested. But first, as mentioned, get a loading manual and read it cover to cover THEN do the tests and load accordingly.
I load a lot of 243 as well as 6mm SLR but my loads may not be compatible with your rifle.
The fellows here have given excellent and professional advice/suggestions. You will benefit by paying close attention as they will NEVER lead you astray or put out any form of BS.

Welcome to the best forum on the net and I sincerely hope you glean good stuff from the manual as well as from the folks here who will always help.

UF
 
#20 ·
I do not have a chronograph. all the load data that I have used has been from others that have evaluated the rounds. I have read the "abcs of reloading" which I found to be a very informative read for the beginner reloader and i would recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about reloading. I have also pulled some info from the Hornady manual.
 
#21 ·
Buy a couple manuals, buy a couple reloading books or download them then read, read, and read. Now, ask questions, lots of questions and don't take any criticism personal, anything said here that comes across gruff is intended to protect you (consider some warnings a little more diplomatic in form, others a little more direct).

Do not reverse engineer a load! Unless you have access to a mass spectrometry machine, you don't know the exact powder used, and in ammo reloading every little change has a big effect. Small primer or small magnum primer? There is a difference even if everything else remains unchanged. Change the seating depth, you will change the pressure and the round. Change the case length . . . .

Now, more to your underlying desire - you are a long way towards the right load for your rifle. I read on Chuck Hawks (or some similar blog) that twist rate and bullet weight have some relation but it is not a 1:1 relationship since weight is sometimes but not always a variable of bullet length and therefore surface area engaging the grooves.

Assuming I understood and expressed this correctly, you already know a Hornady 58gr VMax is the bullet that your gun likes. You just have to dial it in. Think of it this way, your bullet choice is sort of like bore-sighting a scope. Adjusting the powder, C.O.L., etc. is the fine adjustments to get your scope zeroed.

Be patient, be methodical, and have fun.
 
#22 ·
Gre
Buy a couple manuals, buy a couple reloading books or download them then read, read, and read. Now, ask questions, lots of questions and don't take any criticism personal, anything said here that comes across gruff is intended to protect you (consider some warnings a little more diplomatic in form, others a little more direct).

Do not reverse engineer a load! Unless you have access to a mass spectrometry machine, you don't know the exact powder used, and in ammo reloading every little change has a big effect. Small primer or small magnum primer? There is a difference even if everything else remains unchanged. Change the seating depth, you will change the pressure and the round. Change the case length . . . .

Now, more to your underlying desire - you are a long way towards the right load for your rifle. I read on Chuck Hawks (or some similar blog) that twist rate and bullet weight have some relation but it is not a 1:1 relationship since weight is sometimes but not always a variable of bullet length and therefore surface area engaging the grooves.

Assuming I understood and expressed this correctly, you already know a Hornady 58gr VMax is the bullet that your gun likes. You just have to dial it in. Think of it this way, your bullet choice is sort of like bore-sighting a scope. Adjusting the powder, C.O.L., etc. is the fine adjustments to get your scope zeroed.

Be patient, be methodical, and have fun.
Great advice
 
#23 ·
I've loaded several rounds of .243 with both the commercial superformance powder and the Imr 4831. For all 7 of my .243's. They will all shoot any pailticular round differently. The factory loaded superformance ammo doesn't shoot any tighter groups than my handloads. I've never tried any 58 grain bullets. I've only used the 95 grain sst's. I have several other calibers I prefer for varmint hunting. I'm in agreeance with some of the other responses and that's buy a manual and live by it as far as the min and max loads for a specific bullet. Doing ladder tests is the best way to go. If you want good results put your time in and you'll reap the rewards.
 
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