Powder for 100 gr. bullet in .243 Winchester

[Rafter-S]

I have been slowly going through the rifles in my safe working up handloads for accuracy. Now I am addressing a .243 Remington 700. I have tried 100 grain Sierra Spitzer bullets with 3031 and 4895 with marginal results (1.5" groups), and 4064 with poor results (2.5" groups). Does anyone have suggestions as to powder types they use for 100 grain .243 bullets. I want the rifle to shoot sub 1" groups if possible.

I neck size only, use a benchrest seating die, and brass is all from the same lot.

Thanks in advance.

 

[cp1969]

Try IMR4350, IMR4831 or Reloader 19.

But keep in mind that your gun just might not like that particular bullet. You're focusing on powder when that might not be the problem at all.

 

[Big Cholla]

I have several .243s and have settled on VihtaVuori No. 160 for the heavier range of bullets. I am looking at a target I have hanging on my study wall of a 5 shot group at 100 yards out of a 'heavy sporter' barreled Rem 700 that measures 0.471". The load was with a 100 gr. bench rest quality bullet made by a friend of mine, Federal No. 210 primer, VihtaVuori No. 160 at 41.8 gr. The brass was W-W and was match prepped. I am using various VihtaVuori powders in several other rifle calibers with good results. ........... Big Cholla

 

[Harrison]

243s and heavy for caliber bullets tend to do better with slower powders, rather than the fast to medium burn rates.

 

[sourdough44]

H-4350 is very commonly used in the 243 with the heavier bullets. I use it with 90-100 grn bullets. I've been using RL-15 with 85 grn bullets & H-4895 with 70 grain bullets.

 

[NE450No2]

I had two 243 rifles. I used the same loads in both rifles.
I only used 2 bullets, the 100gr Sierra, and the 95gr Partition.

For Texas deer hunting the wife and I used 40gr of IMR 4350.

When the wife used the 243 for deer and/or antelope in Colorado or Wyoming she used 42gr of IMR 4350.

In a Ruger No1 and in a Rem Mod 7, both bullets with either powder charge shot under one moa.

The little Mod 7 would shoot 2" groups at 300 yards.

 

[boatbum101]

I'd suggest something between 4350 to WMR . IE: IMR 4350 , H4350 , RL19 , H4831 , IMR 4831 , RL22 , VVN 165 , Norma MR or WMR .

 

[Birddog2]

Have you established a "benchmark" for accuracy and fps with a good factory load? I decided a long time ago that it was foolish to try to find a reload for any rifle without knowing that it could shoot.

 

[Wayne Dobbs]

4350 and 4831 are classic choices for the heavy bullets in the .243 Winchester.