Soliciting propellant recommendations for .243 Winchester 'J-Word" projectiles

[Kosh75287]

I haven't even bought the rifle yet, but I can feel it coming on. It'll be a bolt-action, so gas port pressures aren't a consideration. Projectile weights of interest will be 80 to 105 grains (narrower, if necessary). Barrel length will be 22" - 26" (the latter, if I have a choice in the matter). I'd just like to know what works best for the .243 Winchester shooters in the crowd. I'm thinking in terms of what meters well, but I can put up with hand-charging the rounds if there's a particularly wonderful propellant for .243, that doesn't go through a charge-thrower at all smoothly.

I have enough medium-speed rifle powders to fuel lighter projectiles if I want, and LOTSA pistol powders usable for cast boolits. Using CBs in this one would prolly be a "dire straits" (not the band) maneuver, anyway, but I plan to lay in a stock of them anyway. I think that the old Chinese curse "May you live in eventful times" has been visited upon me.

[MT Gianni]

IMR 4350 or 8028 have worked well for me.

[osteodoc08]

4350 has always been my go to in the 243. That was my first “real” rifle and rifle caliber as well. And took my first deer with it.

[lawdog941]

H414 and IMR 4451 are the most accurate out of mine, 90-95 grainers.

[Texas by God]

H335, H414/Win760, IMR 4064 and IMR 4350 have served me well. Varget has also done very well for a newer powder.

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[Half Dog]

H4350 works for me. Kiddo and I play battleship ar 100 yards. Fun and great memories.

[Maven]

Another vote for IMR 4350 with 80 - 90gr. jacketed bullets in my .243 Win. Ruger #1, 26" bbl.

[Kosh75287]

Thanks, fellas! I'll keep checking for replies before I make any decisions. Please feel free to comment on brass, primers & projectiles, as well.

[tazman]

H414 for me. I get excellent groups with Sierra 95 grain Matchkings in my Remington 700 varminter. I am talking 1.5 inch groups at 200 yards and 5 icnh groups at 600 yards.
The ballistics are outstanding.

[cupajoe]

For heavy bullets, 1st choice 4350, second choice 4831.

[9.3X62AL]

For heavy bullets, 1st choice 4350, second choice 4831.

Back when I loaded j-words in 243, these were my go-to fuels also.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I've got some old Accurate 3100 that I use with 95 gr Partitions. I have had good results with H414 with 90-100 grains, H380 works well with the 80-85 grainers. I am using H4895 with some 55 Grainers. The Noslers 55's ( yes- .243's) hold up to the speed, Midwayusa 55 gr .243's come apart unless very low pressure loads used, under 3300 fps. One powder - I would probably go with H414 or 4350. I have used 4227 with the Lyman 85 gr, I think it was a Loverin design. Didn't fuss at it, but under 2 MOA wasn't to hard to get.

[winelover]

For light weight jacketed.............AA 2520

For the heavy weight bullets AA 4350

Winelover

[Lloyd Smale]

4064 and re15 have been my go to powders in the 243.

[Larry Gibson]

The 243 is my wife's rifle (M70 "G" series PF with 24" barrel). I use two loads in Winchester cases with WLR primers; 75 or 80 gr (prefer the Speer 75 gr HP) over 41 gr H4895 for 3400 fps. Hornady 100 gr SPBT over 48 gr H4831SC for 3020 fps. The shortcut version of H4831 throws quite consistent in Lyman 55 powder thrower). Both loads shoot sub moa (5 shot groups) at 300 yards. That covers both varmints/vermin and medium came.

[Kosh75287]

This has been very helpful, gentlemen. I am indebted to everyone for their input.

[1006]

H414/Win760 and a Magnum Primer are my go to, because they meter well. I have had success with just about any powder that I tried in the 243.

BL(c)-2 is not normally recommended, but when I first started loading for it I ran 34.0 BL(c) with jacketed bullets from 55 to 100 grains just to use up components that came with the used gun. It shot all of them at 1 moa out to 100yards. The lighter bullets accuracy dropped off fast after 100yards. The 95-100 grain bullets held their accuracy well beyond 100 yards.

[farmbif]

ive found the 4350's and imr 4831 to be equally accurate as I can shoot with my old savage. all I ever load for it anymore are 100 grain hunting bullets. if your loading for other rifles like a 30-06 you might want to go with something faster than 4831 that way you've got a powder that's optimal for more than one rifle

[cp1969]

.243 Winchester is an inherently accurate cartridge, not choosy about powder at all. IMR 4350, WW760/H414, IMR4831, IMR4895, BL C-2, H380, RL19....the list goes on. Any of them that you can get your hands on will probably shoot well in your gun.

[Lloyd Smale]

if your question includes bullets. Stick with bullets like the 100 sierra pro hunter, nos bt, speer hot core ect and stay away from premium bullets for deer. The 6mm rounds need the fast expanding bullets to do there best work. Those ARE the premium bullets in the 6mms and even the 25s. You not only dont need the premium barnes, partitions, bonded bullets ect but you dont want them. That is unless you like polishing your wounded deer tracking skills.