Neophyte Reloader--243 Bullet and Powder Questions

[Luke2K5]

I would like to know if it's safe to use 38 gr of H414 powder to reload Rem 100 gr PSP corloc bullets for a 243? Speer Reloading Manual 13 contains info on 100 gr Grand Slam and and 105 gr Spitzer. Is the 100 gr Grand Slam comparable to a 100 gr Rem PSP relative to max H414 powder to use?

What if I'm a few tenths or a grain over on the powder?

Also, when magnum primers are recommended, such as by Speer when reloading 243 using H414, what will be result if I use regular primers? Is it just a performance matter, or is it a safety issue?

Thanks for any info.

Luke

 

[GooseGestapo]

Be real cautious with the .243 and Heavy bullets, such as the 100gr bullets.

The .243 gets real touchy with at or near maximum loads.

I would recommend IMR-4831 (not H4831) for the .243. It is the best powder for it, by far. The last batch of H414 I bought is quite a bit "hotter" than lots I got 8-12yrs ago. Such enough I had to drop loads I had worked up with it. Recently, loads for H414 in my 7mm-08 are 2.0gr less than book listed loads(velocities are way off too). Even Hodgdons data has lowered charge weights in past several editions of their publication. My brother has found the IMR-4831 lots to be relatively consistent. He gets very close to 3,100fps with his 22" bbl, but weighs every case and every powder charge.

My brother has found that near max with his Savage 110, that just a 0.3gr increase in Imr4831 powder near max can shoot the pressures through the ceiling. I had a friend ruin the bolt on his Rem 788 by using a "recommended" 100gr load, and substituting a 105gr Speer.

Use what the manufacturer of the bullet recommends, not neccessarily what the powder manuf. recommends if they do not specify a bullet. Start at 10% under any load you see listed, and proceed SLOWLY with the .243. The .243 goes from docile to "ballistic" very quickly.

 

[only1asterisk]

Luke,

If you decide to use H414, I'd start off at 35-36 grains and work up. If you can't be more accurate than a couple of tenths plus or minus, why not just stick close to the start load? 150-200 fps really isn't that big of a deal when you have velocity to burn.

You need to fairly exact when you get anywhere near maximum pressures. How are you measuring your powder? Do you not trust you scale/measure?


David

 

[wingman]

Always start with medium loads and work your way up........... The 243
like many calibers is more accurate with less then max loads. In most
cases max loads are "never" necessary. Save your rifle and yourself.

 

[P0832177]

Get yourself several on hand reloading manuals. NEVER INTERPOLATE DATA! Ever bullet has a different bearing surface and so has different pressures. As is previous suggestions, reduce the max load and work up.
I suggest that you do not swap out part of the equation till you have more reloading experience.