Best powder for .243 ? - The Firearms Forum

Daric · 09-28-2011, 08:22 PM

I bought a Tikka T3 in .243 and am very supprised with the 1\2 to 3\4 inch groups with just middle of the road ammo. But I will soon be reloading and was woundering what was the preferred powder when shooting 100gr. soft point boat tails. What ammount of powder also. I ask for amount because many times it has worked out great for me starting where someone says worked best for them as long as it is not above recomended pressures. My use of the rifle is 50% hunting 50% target.

gdmoody · 09-28-2011, 10:54 PM

Daric, welcome to the forum, I don't believe I have welcomed you before, if so I still welcome you!!.

I do not reload .243 but I am sure that when you start reloading for it, your reloading manual will be a good place to start looking. My Hornady # 7 shows 9 different powders for the 95 to 100 grain projectiles but I have never used any of the powders they list.

res45 · 09-29-2011, 07:50 AM

I use IMR-4350 with 90 to 95 gr. Nosler bullets in a Win. 243,shoots about the same groups sizes your getting with factory ammo,none of the deer or yotes shot with it have ever complained.

Bindernut · 09-29-2011, 08:55 AM

IMR4350 is my favorite powder for 75gr through 100gr bullets in the .243.
RL-19 is another one that I had good luck with in several rifles.
That is one nice thing about the .243. It's not a very fussy cartridge when it comes to powder. You can go with fast burners or slow burners and things will stay pretty consistent.

As for the charge weights...
Stick with published data from a manual, not someone else pet load. What works in one rifle might or might not work in yours.

I know some guys that use Varget, IMR4064, and IMR4320 for light-bullet varmint loads too. I used to use IMR4064 in a short-barrel .243 I had a few years back.

BullShoot · 09-29-2011, 12:12 PM

I get nice groups with 40.4 of 4350 driving my Sierra 85 gr. boattail hollowpoints

JLA · 09-29-2011, 12:54 PM

I have been experimenting with alliants new 4000MR in the .243 with heavy bullets (85gr and up) with fantastic results.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...3&cartridge=51

This is just about the ONLY data available for 4000MR in the .243, so i recommend you use the charge listed for the 105 gr Amax (its a max charge so reduce it by at least 6% to start)

Good luck!

hunterfisher · 10-01-2011, 06:35 PM

I'm getting excellent results useing, 41grs. of IMR 4831, Hornady 100gr. SP. w/ CCI primers.

Daric · 10-04-2011, 01:47 PM

Thanks everybody. I am now in love with the .243 round and my tikka t3 light.

09-28-2011, 08:22 PM	#1
Daric Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: TN Posts: 44	Best powder for .243 ? I bought a Tikka T3 in .243 and am very supprised with the 1\2 to 3\4 inch groups with just middle of the road ammo. But I will soon be reloading and was woundering what was the preferred powder when shooting 100gr. soft point boat tails. What ammount of powder also. I ask for amount because many times it has worked out great for me starting where someone says worked best for them as long as it is not above recomended pressures. My use of the rifle is 50% hunting 50% target. -->

09-28-2011, 10:54 PM	#2
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,337	Re: Best powder for .243 ? Daric, welcome to the forum, I don't believe I have welcomed you before, if so I still welcome you!!. I do not reload .243 but I am sure that when you start reloading for it, your reloading manual will be a good place to start looking. My Hornady # 7 shows 9 different powders for the 95 to 100 grain projectiles but I have never used any of the powders they list. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

09-29-2011, 07:50 AM	#3
res45 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 182	Re: Best powder for .243 ? I use IMR-4350 with 90 to 95 gr. Nosler bullets in a Win. 243,shoots about the same groups sizes your getting with factory ammo,none of the deer or yotes shot with it have ever complained.

09-29-2011, 08:55 AM	#4
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,450	Re: Best powder for .243 ? IMR4350 is my favorite powder for 75gr through 100gr bullets in the .243. RL-19 is another one that I had good luck with in several rifles. That is one nice thing about the .243. It's not a very fussy cartridge when it comes to powder. You can go with fast burners or slow burners and things will stay pretty consistent. As for the charge weights... Stick with published data from a manual, not someone else pet load. What works in one rifle might or might not work in yours. I know some guys that use Varget, IMR4064, and IMR4320 for light-bullet varmint loads too. I used to use IMR4064 in a short-barrel .243 I had a few years back. Last edited by Bindernut; 09-29-2011 at 08:58 AM..

09-29-2011, 12:12 PM	#5
BullShoot V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: missouri ozarks Contributor Posts: 445	Re: Best powder for .243 ? I get nice groups with 40.4 of 4350 driving my Sierra 85 gr. boattail hollowpoints

09-29-2011, 12:54 PM	#6
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,317	Re: Best powder for .243 ? I have been experimenting with alliants new 4000MR in the .243 with heavy bullets (85gr and up) with fantastic results. http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...3&cartridge=51 This is just about the ONLY data available for 4000MR in the .243, so i recommend you use the charge listed for the 105 gr Amax (its a max charge so reduce it by at least 6% to start) Good luck! __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

10-01-2011, 06:35 PM	#7
hunterfisher V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 271	Re: Best powder for .243 ? I'm getting excellent results useing, 41grs. of IMR 4831, Hornady 100gr. SP. w/ CCI primers.

10-04-2011, 01:47 PM	#8
Daric Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: TN Posts: 44	Re: Best powder for .243 ? Thanks everybody. I am now in love with the .243 round and my tikka t3 light.