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.243 powder choices

trigger03

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 12, 2011
5
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65
south texas
With the shortages we are enduring I’m looking for an alternative powder for my .243 PRS rifle. I have used H4350 with great success and looking to try H4831 or the SC variant. Has anybody shot this powder with 105gr loads? I’m in Deep South Texas where it’s 90 degress plus almost year round. Any load info is greatly appreciated.
 
H4831 will work but I'd stick with h4350 or rl-23. Both responded to high temps very well for me, RL-23 dealt with >90F temps a bit better than H4350 for me in my .243AI. https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center in my experience charge weights at the upper end performed best in terms of MV consistency and jumps under .080 and over .010 gave the best groups.
 
H4831 fills the case perfectly. Seems to be kind to my barrels. 3030 fps. No pressure and more reliable than I am. Lapua case, 105 hybrid, 210M, 25.5” and 26” Criterion barrels, 2.865 COAL. (-.020).
My guess is temp. tolerant as the best of them. 100+ degrees, heat soak, sun exposure, certainly a factor.
 
H4831 is probably the single best powder for 105 and heavier bullets for 6CM and 243Win.
 
I have been shooting a little 4000mr in my new 243 barrel. IT wasn't shooting very good so I loaded up 10 rounds with h4350, the first 5 didn't shoot well, second 5 did. I tried the 4000mr load again and it shot a pretty good group too. Its only got about 120 rounds on it. IT wouldn't be the first time I saw one good group out of 4000mr, to be followed by a bunch more meh. I always try it, to use it up. I was going to use some 4831SC also, just haven't gotten around to it.
 
My .243 Win recipe for my 24" barrelled, 1:8 twist, LR platform precision rifle is a stiff charge of IMR4895 and a Sierra SMK 95 grain at 2.815" COAL. My old Savage Model 112 with 26" barrel and 1:10 twist likes Superformance powder and a 75-90 grain bullet. I have yet to find published load data for a 90 grain bullet and the Superformance but I came up with a good recipe using the Superformance and the old Sierra 90 grain gameking bullets that gave me a 100 yard 3-shot group with all shot holes touching. I have not chrono'd it yet so I can't comment on velocity but it feels fast.
 
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I am in south Texas also. IMR4831 with 115 Berger VLD Hunter bullets. Shoots about 11 inch 5 shot group at 1,000 yards.