[Tune_up]

This summer I bought a CZ 550 in .243 win, at the same time I bought threee different boxes of ammo. The Hornady 100 gr BTSP shot great. Since then I started reloading and have yet to find a load that is anywhere near that load. I am using the same hornady bullet and have tried different loads of H4831sc, H4350 and imr4895. Is there a way to know what powder/load Hornady uses?

[rcmodel]

No!
If they told you, they would have to kill you.

Seriously, Hornady and all other manufactures use bulk powder blends to reach performance goals. Those powders are not available to reloaders.

But that is not to say you can't match or exceed factory performance & accuracy if you are using the same bullet they use.

You can do it, you just haven't found the magic number for your rifle yet.

You might start out by reviewing all aspects of your reloading process.

Pay special attention to seating depth, and *bullet run-out.
*Or how straight your dies are putting the bullets in the cases.

rcmodel

[fineredmist]

Pulling the bullet will allow you to weight the charge but you will not be able to determine the type of powder. The powder may appear to be brand X but it may have different coatings which will affect the burning rate and you cannot be certain of what it actually is. Most manufactures will not disclose the powder they use because their lawyers tell them not to for "safety" reasons. I did some testing on a .243 useing the same factory loads but from different lots and found a siginificant difference in the performance so apparently the load was changed. You just have to play the trial and error game to get what you want.

[Tune_up]

Thanks for the replies/suggestion. I think ill go back to H4831 and play w seating depths on the best load group.

[dagger dog]

Tune,

Looking at the load info in Cartridges of the World 10th Edition it lists 1 factory load in 100 gr SP at 2960fps and 1945 ft lbs. energy.

Then it lists a handload for 100 gr Sie and Hornady SP with 42 grs IMR4350 @ 2900fps and 1868 ft lbs energy.

You may be able to work up a load with the H 4350 as a base, that is if you drop the starting charge of 42 grs. and work up.

[NCsmitty]

Tune_up, have you looked at Hodgden's site and the loading data?

http://www.hodgdon.com/

NCsmitty