243 load data

[Tinker-S]

Hi everybody,
I am new to the site, and I would like to know if there is a suitable load for a 243 Rem 700 using the components on hand:
Powder: IMR 4895
Primers: CCI # 34 Military LR
Bullets: Berger 90 Gr Boat Tail Target
Rifle: 26" Rem 700 heavy barrel
COL: ?
I will use this rifle for target shooting, but not as serious as competition.
I am sure there are better propellants out there, but in moments where components are scarce, I will use what I have available. I will order a Berger reloading book, but at the moment, most sites are sold out or the book is not available.
Thank you for all or any input.

 

[Hartkopf]

These books (in stock at Midway right now) usually have old, odd data from before the last ice age. Might not be the best loads but can be great for component shortages.

 

[Hartkopf]

I just checked my book and there’s no data for the exact bullet and powder in the OP. There is data for Speer 90gr bullets and imr4895 so there’s something to work with. Could also check Speer.com and see if that data is still up.

 

[Anchorite]

I like the Loadbooks. I don’t swear by them exclusively, but they sure are a good place to start and cross-reference. I bet I have a dozen or so of them.

 

[Tinker-S]

I just checked my book and there’s no data for the exact bullet and powder in the OP. There is data for Speer 90gr bullets and imr4895 so there’s something to work with. Could also check Speer.com and see if that data is still up.

Hartkopf,
That is why I came to the site. I cannot find exact match for my components, unless I get the book. I will ask if anybody has a copy of the Berger reloading book to look if there is any load info.
Thank you.

 

[Hartkopf]

Your combination is definitely not a popular one if the little Loadbook doesn’t have it. Even Berger might not have it but worth a look. Good luck. I’ve been in the same boat lately because of the plandemic.

 

[Howa 9700]

The LEE Modern Reloading has data for that load, except for the Magnum primer.

When loading Lake City brass with that primer in it, I cut my load by one full grain.....and nothing has blown up.

 

[Howa 9700]

If your main reason for sticking to components on hand is lack of availability, and not cost.......you are in luck. As of a few moments ago, Midway has IMR4350 available, and would also have all kinds of bullets to put in the same shipping box.

 

[243winxb]

COL: ?

I use 2.770" with the 90 gr Berger. Have loaded the 88 gr Berger With IMR 4895 @ 34.5 GRS. Both using Win or Rem brass. Benchrest prep of brass & Redding bushing dies help accuracy & case life.

I use IMR 4831 for 90 gr. & IMR 4350 for 68 gr to 85 gr. My do all bullet is Sierra #1530 with IMR4350.

Factory rifle, average accuracy @ 100 yds +/- 1"
Target gun under 1"@ 300 yards is possible..

 

[tominboise]

I'll have to look up my 243 90gr Berger data when I get home in a couple of days, but I have been working up loads in the 243 using Rem 9-1/2M primers and H380, H4350 and IMR4064, with no issues.

The picture in my avatar is the 243 with the 90gr Berger. That is out of a Savage 110 with the factory barrel and a 3-9X scope.

Somebody had IMR 4064 available the other day - it works quite well in the 243 Win, and a lot of other cartridges.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Hartkopf,
That is why I came to the site. I cannot find exact match for my components, unless I get the book. I will ask if anybody has a copy of the Berger reloading book to look if there is any load info.
Thank you.

I have the Berger book, can look in a couple hours.

I may be a bit off in my saying so, but i dont pay attention to bullet brand when looking up a load. A 90 gr HPBT is a 90 gr HPBT for most intents and purposes. However, in doing so i always match bullet type and weight. Take a load for a 90gr hornady spitzer but all i have is sierra 90 gr spitzers, no problem. I also always start at minimum charge weight.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Here is the 90gr page from the Berger 1st edition load manual. No IMR 4895 load.

They do list Hodgdon H4895 for a 95 gr VLD bullet: 33gr start @ 2675 fps, 36gr MAX @ 2862 fps, 81% approx fill ratio. It is slightly different than the IMR.

80gr bullets are the heaviest they list a load for IMR 4895. 36gr start @ 2979fps, 39.8gr MAX @ 3237fps, 86% approx case fill.

The 90gr page:

 

[Tinker-S]

I use 2.770" with the 90 gr Berger. Have loaded the 88 gr Berger With IMR 4895 @ 34.5 GRS. Both using Win or Rem brass. Benchrest prep of brass & Redding bushing dies help accuracy & case life.

I use IMR 4831 for 90 gr. & IMR 4350 for 68 gr to 85 gr. My do all bullet is Sierra #1530 with IMR4350.

Factory rifle, average accuracy @ 100 yds +/- 1"
Target gun under 1"@ 300 yards is possible..

Sir,
Thank you for your reply.
I used load data from Sierra. Loaded two rounds within their initial load of 33.0 grains of 4895 an COL of 2.650". I also loaded two rounds with 33.5 grains of 4895, and off to the range I went. No signs of pressure on the cases, only a small amount of brass on the bolt face. Other than that, two rounds were 1/2 inch apart, and another killed a steel target at 200 yds. I am happy, and will continue to use this combo till the one pound of powder is gone.

 

[Tinker-S]

If your main reason for sticking to components on hand is lack of availability, and not cost.......you are in luck. As of a few moments ago, Midway has IMR4350 available, and would also have all kinds of bullets to put in the same shipping box.

Thank you for the information, and I will check if available. For now, I will use what I have. I imagine components will be available soon.
Berger is my choice for their record, not that I am that good, or that my factory rifle is capable to make the best of it.

 

[Tinker-S]

I'll have to look up my 243 90gr Berger data when I get home in a couple of days, but I have been working up loads in the 243 using Rem 9-1/2M primers and H380, H4350 and IMR4064, with no issues.

The picture in my avatar is the 243 with the 90gr Berger. That is out of a Savage 110 with the factory barrel and a 3-9X scope.

Somebody had IMR 4064 available the other day - it works quite well in the 243 Win, and a lot of other cartridges.

Thank you for your reply and offer.
I see that somebody else has posted the Berger book page for their particular projectile, and the powder I am using did not make the list. I found an old Sierra PDF for all of their bullets, and I used their data that calls specifically for IMR 4895 for their 90 gr HPBT and it did work for me. I just came back from the range to test their data. No pressure sign that I can see, and so far, I think I will stick with it. Like you, I have a factory Rem 700 with plastic stock, and I just found out that the stock touches the barrel in some spots, so, I will take it apart, and file away the high spots.
Again, thank you for your kindness.

 

[Tinker-S]

Here is the 90gr page from the Berger 1st edition load manual. No IMR 4895 load.

They do list Hodgdon H4895 for a 95 gr VLD bullet: 33gr start @ 2675 fps, 36gr MAX @ 2862 fps, 81% approx fill ratio. It is slightly different than the IMR.

80gr bullets are the heaviest they list a load for IMR 4895. 36gr start @ 2979fps, 39.8gr MAX @ 3237fps, 86% approx case fill.

The 90gr page:
View attachment 1055751

Thank you, Sir for your reply.
I see that my particular combo is not very popular, but I found that the data for a 90 gr HPBT Sierra bullet would work for my predicament.
I will stick with 33.0 or 33.5 of IMR 4895 and COL of 2.650" for my range needs. I "dusted off" my 243 out of the safe, because my local range would not allow 6.5CM, and so, since my 5.56 does not reach beyond 300 yds. the 243 and 6.5 Grendel are not pressed into service. I found powder and bullets to load for the Grendel, but the 243 was a little more of a challenge. I like it because it used to be not too expensive to shoot, but now, I am not too fond of $45 bucks for 20 rounds of ammo.
Thank you for your help.

 

[Tinker-S]

I use 2.770" with the 90 gr Berger. Have loaded the 88 gr Berger With IMR 4895 @ 34.5 GRS. Both using Win or Rem brass. Benchrest prep of brass & Redding bushing dies help accuracy & case life.

I use IMR 4831 for 90 gr. & IMR 4350 for 68 gr to 85 gr. My do all bullet is Sierra #1530 with IMR4350.

Factory rifle, average accuracy @ 100 yds +/- 1"
Target gun under 1"@ 300 yards is possible..

Sir,
I made a dummy round to see what COL I could use, and I believe I was at 2.660 and I saw what appears to be riffling marks, so I backed out to 2.650 and did not see anything. I think I will stick with it. BTW, I am using Lee dies, and Lyman turret press. I know most people does not like Lee, but ...

 

[Tinker-S]

If your main reason for sticking to components on hand is lack of availability, and not cost.......you are in luck. As of a few moments ago, Midway has IMR4350 available, and would also have all kinds of bullets to put in the same shipping box.

By the time I got to Midwayusa site, it was sold out.

 

[barnfrog]

There are a bunch of older manuals available here: http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Reloading/Reloading Manuals/.

The Hornady #4 has load data for IMR 4895 with an 87 grain HPBT, and Lee #2 has data for 90 grain jacketed bullets.

 

[Tinker-S]

There are a bunch of older manuals available here: http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Reloading/Reloading Manuals/.

The Hornady #4 has load data for IMR 4895 with an 87 grain HPBT, and Lee #2 has data for 90 grain jacketed bullets.

Thank you.
I will take a look at it. I appreciate the information.

 

[Grumpy_old_Fart]

 

[Tinker-S]

Thanks for the information, Sir.

 

[Tinker-S]

View attachment 1055916

This is the data I used to load a test batch, and it seems like I will stick with it.
I had the digital copy of the Sierra load data for 243, but I had placed it in the wrong folder on my machine.
Thank you.

 

[Grumpy_old_Fart]

And this is why I have several books.