Powder for short barrel .243 loads

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Hello, 1st post here, after some searching haven't really found an answer.

I'm going to put together a dedicated coyote rifle this year, 99.9% sure it's going to be a Ruger American Compact in .243, have looked at the others in that class of firearm, i like what the Ruger offers and for me the size and feel is deal vs the others.

99.9% sure I'm going to run 87 gr Vmax, fed 210 primer

based on drop and wind drift tables for this combo, it fits the bill for what i want to accomplish over .223, .22-250, 7-08, etc.

Most of the load data i've found out there is 20, 22, 24 inch barrel. I'm using IMR3031 & 4198 in my 17" .308 savage which compensated FPS quite well when i cut it from 22" to 17" - either with the 110 vmax for coyotes or 165 sst for deer.

I'm guestimating from the usual .243 barrel of 22 or 24" around 3300 fps, going down to 18" will put me somewhere around 2800.

have also been considering at CFE223, superformance, and the new enduron 4166.

I know some classic go to powders for .243 is H4350, 4831, 414, RL17.

not too worried about throat erosion or being fur friendly.

Any real world powder / load suggestions that'll give me 2800fps or more in an 18" barrel?



 
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I'm shooting an AR10 243 with a DPMS 10-Twist 16" barrel.
Varget Powder.Federal GM Primers, WW Brass or RP Brass.
70gr MatchKings spin 3050+.
80gr Bergers spin 2850+.
85gr Game Kings spin 2800+.
It would not stabilize the 100 Sierra GKs ,always had a wild flyer,
So I chose not to shoot them thru my Suppressor in fear of a baffle strike.
 
87gr v-max and some imr 4064
smile.gif
good things!
 
Originally Posted By: 2muchgunOriginally Posted By: tugboater87gr v-max and some imr 4064
smile.gif
good things!

This is what I use.......



I learned this one from you sir! And it's deadly!!!
 
thanks for the info so far, more is always better.

i've tried the 4064 in .308 when it was 22", just short of 2650 with 165's and 2900 with 110's. when i cut the barrel back to 17", i couldn't get more than 2400 with either, using max load. i don't know if it'll react differently in the smaller caliber.

i'm not one for buying pounds of powder (mostly because i can't afford to) just to see what happens just to have it lay there unused.

luckily i have 4064 on hand, so i'll give it a try in the 18" RAC when i get it, along with 3031 and 4198.

will the 4064 work 2800+ in .243 in a shorter barrel?

crowkiller what grains you using with the varget?
 


pretty much max loads with the Varget.
4064 should do equal velocities and just as good as Varget.
I just have lots of Varget.
 
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Originally Posted By: tugboaterOriginally Posted By: 2muchgunOriginally Posted By: tugboater87gr v-max and some imr 4064
smile.gif
good things!

This is what I use.......



I learned this one from you sir! And it's deadly!!!


How much 4064 you guys running with the vmax?
 


\If you are looking for short barrel powders go to Hodgdon.com and look under pistol data for the 243 and 90gr bullet. I'd say you'll find 4350, 4831, etc on there.
 
Originally Posted By: Bearcat 74Originally Posted By: tugboaterOriginally Posted By: 2muchgunOriginally Posted By: tugboater87gr v-max and some imr 4064
smile.gif
good things!

This is what I use.......
N


I learned this one from you sir! And it's deadly!!!


How much 4064 you guys running with the vmax?




Hornady book max load.
 
I have a Remington Model 7 in 243 with a 20 inch barrel. It shoots most everything very good. Two loads I've found it really likes are 4064 powder and an 85 grain Sierra HP, and W760 powder and a 70 grain Sierra HP. I don't know what 2 inches less barrel would change, but I wouldn't think it would be much, just a little less velocity.
 
I have a Remington Model 7 in 243 with a 20 inch barrel. It shoots most everything very good. Two loads I've found it really likes are 4064 powder and an 85 grain Sierra HP, and W760 powder and a 70 grain Sierra HP. I don't know what 2 inches less barrel would change, but I wouldn't think it would be much, just a little less velocity.
 
Originally Posted By: tugboaterOriginally Posted By: Bearcat 74Originally Posted By: tugboaterOriginally Posted By: 2muchgunOriginally Posted By: tugboater87gr v-max and some imr 4064
smile.gif
good things!

This is what I use.......
N


I learned this one from you sir! And it's deadly!!!


How much 4064 you guys running with the vmax?




Hornady book max load.


Thanks
 
i have the ruger ultra lite weight with an 18 1/2 in barrel.For bullets above 80 gr i am using 7828 imr really slow but great results my pet load is 47.5 gr with a 95 gr nosler bt at 3175ftps.this replaced my 4350 imr load. i have tried all powers and bullet combos for the 243 this works for me
 
old thread, new info:

18" barrel, Ruger American Compact, 1:9 twist (it likes deep seated bullets)

fed 210 primers
brass trimmed to 2.040

87gr Vmax
OAL 2.640 -.032 from lands
37 gr IMR3031
2900 fps
under 1.5" @ 200Y

87gr Vmax
OAL 2.662 -.010 from lands (didn't go any further, went with 3031 instead)
30.5 gr IMR4148
2824 fps
around 1.75" @ 200Y

100gr Hornady BTSP
OAL 2.632 -.045 from lands
34.5 gr IMR3031
2612 FPS
around 1.75" @ 200yds
 
I have had very good luck with IMR3031 and the 87 grn V Max in my 15" Encore with a factory TC barrel. I shot it all the way to 1000 yards at the MOA shoot in Sundance this June. I was amazed at the group size on the 1000 yard target. Plus when I run a string of shots the barrel doesn't get as hot as with some of the other powders, plus the barrel stays clean, no fowling.
 
I just loaded some 243 rounds for a 10 y/o niece. These will potentially be used on a youth deer hunt. I went with an 85 grain Gameking and a modest charge of H4895.

The gun is a 16" Browning X-Bolt, 'Micro-Midas'. My charge is the bottom of normal data. I had already loaded light loads with 55 grain bullets, which she did great with.

I previously had very good luck with H4895 and 70 grain bullets.
 
I have to run my load through a chrony yet. IMR 4831 44.5 grains with a 90 nosler BT. It clover leafs in my VLS afnd sighted my Rem 600 with a 18.5" barrel. I did a quick group three shot group with it and it was under a half inch. I would assume it should be around or a little over 3000-3100 fps in the shorter barrel.
 
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One of my boy's has a CVA scout 243 20 inch bull flutted barrel. I would have look up the GRS but I load varget and a 70 gr nosler BT. He has shot a few deer with this load and makes a hole. And I put a 3x9x40mm on it and with this load this gun/load shoots will under a inch.
 
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