First .243 Load

[jmayton]

As some of you noted, I purchased my wife a standard .243 Handi a while back.  We've been shooting factory ammo through it and are getting close to the 60 round mark, so I'm hoping the barrel is close to being broken in.  It's already accounted for about 5 hogs this year, so it's plenty accurate as it is, but I'm sure there's more there.  If it's like my .223, it'll do better with handloads, and honestly, I just can't afford to purchase good factory ammo anymore, so I'm wanting to work up a good load for it.  I've decided on the Sierra 85gr Gameking (I like 'em in my .223), but I want to select a powder that I can also use for my 30-06 shooting 150gr bullets.  I don't like to have too many different powders, just one's that'll work will in 2 or more cartridges.  I've narrowed it down to IMR 4350 or Varget.  Have any of you had experiences with these powders in these calibers or is there something else that will work better that I'm overlooking?

[Default]

 J ,


 I dont have any experience with the IMR4350 , but i use alot of Varget in a number of different calibers , and that would be my choice if i was going to load for a couple calibers ( the ones you mentioned) and have it work well..

 Friend of mine recently asked me this very question .. Calibers he was wanting to reload with one powder were 223 ,243 and 308 .. Varget met that requirement as did BLC(2)

 If it tells you anything as to the popularity Varget has with reloaders ... I cant find any pounds on midway and a number of other sights .. Which makes me glad that i grabbed 3 pounds a while back ..

   I have ran Varget 06 loads through my 7600 remmie  with good results ... and Varget and RE7 are about all i use for my 223 reload with some pretty good results 

 This is 3 shots @ 100 in 223

[rickt300]

IMR 4350 is my favorite 243/6MM Remington powder. Start with 40.0 grains and work up from there.  I like the 85 gr. Sierra BTHP for a lot of things but probably wouldn't choose it for any of my hog hunting. My standard hunting load using 150 gr. bullets in my 30-06 is 57.5 grains of 4350. Not a max load but it shoots very close to where the rifle puts 165 gr. bullets with the same powder charge.  The www.shootersproshop.com has nosler solid base soft points on sale for $9.70 /50 and this is possibly the finest bullet you can get for the 243 without going into the very much more expensive bullets. If the link displays the 270 bullets click again on the darkened square in the upper right had corner of the bullet display and the 100 gr. Solid base bullets will come up.

[mitch132]

I used to use H-4350 in my .243 but with lighter bullets, but I have recently switched to Varget and so far it is showing promise. Luckily I picked up 8 lbs. of it before the shortage hit! I also use it in my .308, 8mm Mauser, 30-06, and about to try it with heavy 45-70 loads. It's a very good powder with a wide range of applications.

[Trapper-Jack]

I use IMR-4350 in both my handi .243 and in a Remington 30-06.  My 243 seems to like 41.6 grains with an 85 grain bullet.  I don't remember quite what the 06 liked as it's been a while since I loaded for it, I'd have to look it up but it shot as well as anything else I'd tried.