looking for a hot 243 load

[phishroy]

Im looking for a load thats a bit on the hot side for my 243.

Im looking to push the envelope safely.

I would work the load up carefully.
im looking for a powder recommendation that would work nicely for the faster side of the 243.
I couldn’t find anything in my manuals over 1700fps I would like to be able to get over the 2000 or even the 2500fps mark, if possible to do this safely.
The bullet im using is the RCBS 95 grain gas check.
After the GC and lube it weight between 97.5 to 99grain.
The gun im using is a rem 700 sps heavy barrel.

[docone31]

Paper patch, and go as fast as you want.

[wiljen]

Use any of the jacketed bullet data out there for 100gr 243 loads and work toward the maximums. Chances are pretty good that accuracy will fall apart long before pressure problems result. Remember that some powders do not like reduced charges so be careful which you use if starting below book minimums. I would think IMR 4831 would be a good one to try.

[Bret4207]

I think 9.3x62Al has some info on this. Might check his posts. I don;t know how fast he pushes them though.

[phishroy]

Range report.
Well
I couldn’t find much information at all about shooting the 243 win with lead bullets.
I used the lee manual with the information in the book on how to download a load.
For powder i used IMR 4831
Bullet was the RCBS 6mm 95 grain gas check mold wheel weights dropped in water
Primer was large rifle Winchester.
The rifle is a Rem’ 700 20 inch BBL
Brass was Winchester.
I seated the bullet a hair before the lands which worked out well because if i would have seated the bullet deeper into the case it would have passed the neck area.
I started off at 35 and worked up at one grain increments to get a rough idea as to how fast i can push it before accuracy dies off.
Here is what I got:
35 grain
2069
2096
2078
2101
about 2 inch groups
36 grain
2158
2170
2150
about 1.5 inch groups
37 grain
2223
2230
2225
2219
about 1.5 inch groups
38 grain
2390
2365
2361
2358
about 1 inch group but 1 flyer
39 grain
2530
2439
2445
2472
2435
This was the most accurate load in my gun 0.75 inch grouping at 100 yards.
40 grain
2536
2523
2531
2515
2538
40 grain was the worst grouping and accuracy was completely gone, barely made it with all shots on paper, group was larger than 6 inches.
On my next trip to the range I will work in small increments from 38.5 to around 39.8 grains and try to tweak the sweet sport even more.
When i was cleaning the rifle i kept an eye out for leading which was not noticeable.
Used a hard bullet with gas check and hard lube.
These loads worked well in my gun and i did not blow up my gun.
Anyone trying these loads does it at their own risk.

[dualsport]

WOW. That was easy. I had no idea you could push the .243 like that. 1" groups work for me. I have a H&R .243 barrel coming, I'll try that 4831 load. It's been a good powder with j bullets in my Savage .243. Thanks for sharing that info.

[Nobade]

I've had good luck using WC860 in the 243 with the RCBS boolit. 2600 fps with decent accuracy, using water dropped wheelweights.

[phishroy]

I've had good luck using WC860 in the 243 with the RCBS boolit. 2600 fps with decent accuracy, using water dropped wheelweights.

what gun and barrel length?

[Nobade]

Plain ole Rem 700 ADL, 24 inch barrel I believe.

[dualsport]

That's also very good news. I have 8 lbs. of that 860. Also 16 lbs. of IMR 5010. Can't resist a bargain.

[Newtire]

Way back in the archives, Carpetman reported similar results using a different powder. He got even more speed out of it than what you got. The window of accuracy was very narrow as I recall I only went to the 12.0 grain 2400 level and got great accuracy with that boolit. The little Lyman Loverin boolit worked great with 18 grains H-4198 also.

[reddhawkk]

Newtire, you wouldn't happen to have the number for that Lyman mold would you?

[Matt Muir]

May not apply here but my 243 loves 4350 with 70 gr Nosler b tips. I shoot the 95 gr as well with the same results. 46 gr shoves the round close to 3600 with the 70 and a few less for the 95. Both are very close to compressed loads. They shoot 1 hole @100. the gun is a Rem with a heavy barrel. I know that these are jacketed bullets so how this info may transfer is suspect.

[82nd airborne]

Ive had some excellent results using various loadings of H380 and 100gr bullets in my m77, even though its not a perfect powder for .243.

[Newtire]

Newtire, you wouldn't happen to have the number for that Lyman mold would you?

Lyman #245496 is the number. Never had any luck with the Lyman 245498 which is a longer one. Another good one is the Saeco 85 grain spire point but the RCBS 95 grainer has been as good as it gets really.

[GabbyM]

Newtire, you wouldn't happen to have the number for that Lyman mold would you?

It's #245496. Only place I know you can get one anymore is here.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,1571.html

[reddhawkk]

Newtire and GabbyM thanks.

[madsenshooter]

Thanks phishroy, gives me an idea of where to start with a 6mm/30-40AI I'm working on. I'll be using a lighter bullet, the Eagan MX2-243, which can be seen here: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=69594 I'll probably start in the H4350, RL19 area of the powder spectrum, though I too have some 860 to use up. The Eagan bullet doesn't seem to be for the masses, in my Obermeyer it's a bore rider, in most factory 6mm/.243 barrels it has to be slugged up a lot. I know I have an alloy that'll give me 2450fps, so far out of my K31, I'll see how things go for 6mm.