.243 Pet Load
 

I recently picked up a Ruger Precision Rifle in .243

I want to use the 105 Amax or 107 Match King what powders and charge weights are you using for good accuracy.

(i know it will be different for my rifle)
(I know not to start at max but to work up to it)

I am thinking of trying some H4350 in around 40 grns to start but before i go out and buy a can i thought i would listen to what input you fellas might have. Could same some time and money

imr 4451
 

anyone try this powder in 243 yet?
Hodgdon site says 40.4 gets 2980 fps with 58900 psi

It has my interest.

The components?
 

My biggest problem has to find all the components that I need for the load I have chosen. If you sort of have your mind made up, and you can buy the components, buy them! The published loads will still be better than factory ammo.

I have a pet load for my 243 but it is for coyotes and uses a 55 gr. bullet and Varget powder.

Varget
 

I have heard Varget works great in the 243 for varmint loads.

Varget worked very well with 75gr bullets in my Vanguard in 243win. IMR 4831 works well with 90gr Accubonds in my Ruger Number 1. in 243win.

For the 105-107gr bullets you want a slow powder for top velocity. I would use one of the 4831on the quicker side up to h-1000 on the other end. Varget is best with the light bullets.

I was running Rumtumbo with 105gr VLD getting just over 3000fps
Then found out in cold weather the bullets tumbled
Make sure you have the right twist for thos long pointy bullets.

243 loads
 

hey markg I use a site called ...reloaders nest ...for my loads ...lots of info ,, give it a try .

Rl22

I used IMR7828 when I shot 95gr BT's out of my 243win for deer.
I have now set that rifle up strictly for coyotes/wolves and shoot 58gr V-Max using Varget

We Use varget for 55 to 75gr in 243


Sent from my photon beam particle emitter

I have tried a bunch of powders with the 105s in my Savage, have got some sporadic results with a few but nothing consistent. Surprisingly enough RL22 was showing some promise but haven't had time to test it further. It seems to like the 87gr Vmax a lot better, even though my twist rate should handle the 105s. If your looking for a lb of 4451 I do have a sealed one on hand I'd sell.

Trade
 

Would you trade a 4451 for a Varget?

I'm looking for H1000, but you don't have or use it Varget is a OK trade too.

I had a group of the 87s print out at 0.346" with 4831 (can't remember brand), but not that good on a consistent basis. IMR 4064 also works pretty well with the 87s.

87 gr
 

I had a .243 that really like the 87 gr vmax

My new rifle is 1/7 twist so it will be interesting to see what it is going to like.

Think Retumbo, H1000, IMR7977. In that order.

Straight out of Nosler #3 reloading manual.

47.5 gr of IMR 7828 behind a 100 grain bullet at 3250fps

I've crono'd this load out of my 26 inch barreled 243 and it averages slightly over the stated velocity with very good accuracy.

Thanks for the tips
 

Some great suggestions. I never even thought of using 7977. I am loading my 7mm rem mag with it so i have a bunch kicking around. It would be nice if i could have "one Powder to rule them all"

I found a very interesting post on the subject
 

This is exactly what i was looking for !

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthr...RIFLE_.243_LOA

I've been trying to work up a load for the 105 Amax, using IMR4350...

Preliminary tests showed 38~39grains was working well for my rifle.

It's a 22" tube, with a 1:9.25" twist. Seated them around 2.805" COAL.

varget and 85gr speer's work well in mine.:)

Fairly in depth write up but you should notice that the writers are quite ameratur with the whole reloading thing. They did figure out that the charge master is a piece of crap though.

The ideal situation in a perfect world is to find a powder that fills the case completely to the bottom of the bullet without being compressed and still give the speeds you want.

With one author starting reloading over 40 yrs ago, I'd say that they're far from "amateur"...

:)

Loading for the 243 is the same as other rifles as you start off at minimum and work your way up.

Lyman reload had good starting points way back when.

Take into account barrel twist and length as it changes things between rifles,,, no 2 of them are the same.

Faster burn powders in short barrels, slower in long.

I'd load 9 rounds for 3 vollys of 3 in 0.5 grain differences from minimum too max watching primer too view how flat it become on the higher up max loads.

The best group of 3 with 3 shoots would be my middle ground to start.

I'd pick lower middle ground since it allows for elivaton changes, temp, and dirty barrel over the coyote season.

Fall too spring with no cleanings over the 200 too 400 shots.

Pal Don, this works for me, so why change what works

Sure seemed to learn a lot of basic stuff for a guy that's been doing it that long. My 95 year old grandfather is a handloader and has been one for the majority of his life, but it doesn't mean he is any good at it.

That's my go 2 in one of my M700s.

LoL ! That's kinda what I meant ! :lol:

I wouldn't call your grandfather an amateur either, then. Based both on fact, and out of respect.


Cheers !
;)

PS: I forgot too add that these groups of 3 shot vollys are carried out a few times in hopes that I find the magic rounds. "In all instances I would", un-less the rifle had issues, Ha.

Had 1 M-1 Grande worn out in every category that it was ready to become the boat anchor I always wanted.

Any-who, I had lots of fire-arms always dialed in, that ment I could take weeks and months too shot vollys of 0.5 G spend to view group becoming tighter. Then move to 0.2G,,, 0.1G in the last week's to get group tight as possible.

Even if it started to spread before getting close to max load I keep increasing powder charge watching "primer flattening" to prevent from over doing it.

Many of my fire arms shot smoother, flatter, more consistent in the max load range.

Too help keep things the same for reloading I'd buy bulk powder, primers, cases once shot inspected, and bullets trying to keep bunch or case lot numbers the same.

Been lucky over the years to practic much of this stuff with long time target shooter C Ganter that performed in shoots all around the world.

Open to ideas gets those bullets down range in nice size groups if we choose to do this for us he'd say.

Putting in the time and effort is worth it knowing that our fire arm is working too it's entened capabilities so long as it does not have an issue.

Pal Don at helpfull ideas when I can share what works for pals and I.

Thanks for the adcixe
 

Its a 1/7 twist so it will work well with the long heavy 6mm bullets