Which Powder Would You Choose?

[jwrowland77]

I got my daughter a .243 for Christmas, and plan to have it hunting ready when she gets it Christmas morning. My dilemma is, I have 5 powders I can use that I have on hand, but can't make up my mind as to which.

I plan on doing workup for Barnes 80gr TTSX, and the Hornady 100gr BTSP Interlock.

Powders I have on hand that I've found loads for: 2000MR, H4895 ( don't have much, can't find anymore), and IMR's 7828, 4895, 4350.

I'm leaning towards the IMR4895 just because I can readily find it locally. Also kind of looking at the 7828 because I have 2lbs of it on hand.

Thoughts?

 

[Don McDowell]

4350 until you can find some H 414.

 

[GW Staar]

IMR 4350 is super in my .243. Very accurate loading in my Rock Chucker.

If you happen to see it, I use Winchester 760 ball powder when loading on my progressive press for its metering ease. MOA and better when I used Sierra Game King 100's in my Remington 600.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Of the ones you listed, I have used H4895 and IMR4350, both with good results.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

4350 until you can find some H 414.

H414 and 4350 are extremely similar but for H414 being a ball powder. If you like 4350 no reason to change over to H414.

I agree, go with 4350 in the .243 but there's nothing wrong with using IMR7828 with the heavier 100gr bullet. As you know every rifle is different so you will have to try different loads to find which load and powders your rifle likes best. (her rifle)

 

[Don McDowell]

If you like 4350 no reason to change over to H414.

Don't tell that to my rifle, you might make it cry, it shoots a good deal better with the 414 than the 4350 with all bullet weights.
Used 4350 since the 1950's when the 243 first came out, but found out a few years ago that 414 just gets better accuracy and a touch more velocity,,, Hence my comment based on real experience.
And while it's oft said that 760 and 414 are the same powder, my 243 does not care for 760, but the 06 does it's best work with the 760..
As the man once said, it's best to see what your/her rifle likes the best..

 

[jwrowland77]

As you know every rifle is different so you will have to try different loads to find which load and powders your rifle likes best. (her rifle)

I'm sure she'll make me ask to borrow it too, lol.

 

[NCsmitty]

I think that Alliant's 2000MR might be a sleeper, especially with the Barnes that you listed. It's slower burning than the 4895 family but not as slow as 4350. Alliant's data for it is limited yet, but I did link a page to it. Alliant only lists the maximum loads, so you need to drop 10% and work up.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=31&cartridge=51


NCsmitty

 

[jwrowland77]

Yeah, I really liked it in my .308 loads using 175gr. Great accuracy.

The one big thing, is it likes to run hot.

 

[James2]

I'm leaning towards the IMR4895 just because I can readily find it locally

I would lean that way too. IMR4895 does a good job in 243. For sure you have to use something you can get.

 

[blarby]

H4895- use it for my buddies bolt action exclusively- and he loves 'em.

Another use for a great versatile powder IMO.

We've used both hornady, and now his fav- 85gr TSX.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

You didnt list it but H380 works great in my .243 with 75gr Hp's. (hornady)

 

[witchhunter]

Horseman, 4895 works good for 80, but 4350 is the go to for the 100 grainers

 

[Kernel]

4895 is ideal for low/reduced recoil loads, if that might be something your daughter would be interested in.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

I had some interesting results in other cartridges using 2000MR.

In my 257 Roberts I got a very good load using Sierra 87 grain bullets. The speed was good and only about 40 - 50 fps less than listed in the data. It met my accuracy standard of a quarter touching a 3 shot group at 100 yards.

In 7mm-08 I got 2000MR to work on the Speer 145 grain flat based bullet which didn't work for any of the several other powders I tried. The 2000MR load was nice and accurate but quite a bit slower (150 fps!) slower than listed in the data. That isn't really a problem as it is plenty fast and accurate so - ding-ding - good load.

The interesting thing I found for both load work ups was that they were most accurate right at max load data for me. If you want to give 2000MR a try be sure to (safely!) try the top end of the load data.

Good Luck.

Dan

 

[jwrowland77]

I found the same thing when I did my workup for my .308 with 2000mr. Max was listed as 47.7 and my most accurate and best load was at 47.5.

 

[ranger335v]

"IMR 4350 is super in my .243. Very accurate loading in my Rock Chucker."

Wonder how accurately IMR 4350 would work loading in a Hornady LnL or a Lee Classic Cast?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

^ I was thinking the same thing.

 

[243winxb]

FYI 243 Rock Chucker is a wildcat cartridge. IMR 4350

 

[oneounceload]

When I owned a Ruger No. 1 RSI in 243, it loved 4350 and Sierra 85 grain bullets. IIRC, the load was around 47 grains, but that was a while ago. 3-shot 3/4" groups at 100 was an all day occurrence though

 

[GP100man]

I agree with post 13.

I cast a 95gr. boolit for mine & the rifle likes 12gr. of 2400

 

[gamestalker]

Of those powders mentioned, I would be loading with IMR-4350, if that's what you are referring to. You didn't say if it's H-4350 or IMR? I don't care much for the H-4350, but that's based on my experience with it.

Some others to consider would be RL22, RL19, H-4831. I'm currently loading with H-4831 and have had some excellent results with the Speer 100 gr. BTSP.

Previously when I could find it, RL22 was my first choice for bullets 90 gr. and heavier. RL19 is also great, it seems a bit more flexible, as to how it performs with light and heavy bullet weights.

I also recently did a work up with IMR-4831 with a Hornady 87 gr. V-max, excellent results.

So as you can see, there are a good number of very good performing powders for the .243 win..

GS

 

[BillB204]

Because different rifles and barells can vary and be so finicky, I always work up loads using 4-5 powders and 3-4 bullets. Work up loads with all of the powders you have except the 7828. IMO it's too slow for .243. You'd be wasting your time and powder.

 

[moonzapa]

I've always used IMR-4350 for all my .243's until recently. I went to Nosler 90grain Accubonds and tried the Nosler recommended IMR-4831. Shoot's exceedingly well in my Weatherby .243 Win Ultra Light. I shot two whitetails this year with this load and they both DRT. Very impressive!

 

[JimKirk]

IMR 7828 works good with the 100 gr bullets.... Hodgdon web site gives 46 grs. as a max load .... that load shoots great in my .243 Win.