.243 Win w/Speer 75 HP bullet

W

Wallyl

New member
I've been working up loads with this bullet and am a bit miffed. Using 38.0 grains of Shooters World Tactical (Similar to BL-C(2)....got an appalling 2,732 FPS with a lousy SD. Moving to Shooters World Precision (Similar to Varget) :

44.0 Grains 2,904 FPS/ 9.16 SD (Very good accuracy)

44.5 Grains 2,878 FPS/76.3

IOW the velocity dropped and the SD went way up with an increase of just 0.5 grains.

Looking at Hodgdon Manual---

38.5 Varget------3,408 FPS

37.5 BL-C(2)-----3,185

I am bewildered ...and need a recommendation for a powder that will produce a decent velocity in the 3,200~3,400 FPS range...has anyone worked on loads for this caliber & bullet?
 
I typically load 95-100gr bullets for the 243 win nowadays, but, when I loaded lighter ones like 75 gr bullets I had very good results with IMR 4064 and H380. Both should get you the velocity you are looking for, with potentially great accuracy.
edit - Also, go buy a pound of Varget- and see how it does for you. Its a great choice for the 243
 
Thank you....H-380 seems like the logical choice; I was hoping for some feedback with someone who has used it w/ the 75 Speer HP bullet.
 
My Tikka .243 likes 70-75 grain anything over IMR 4064. With 100 grain .243's it likes IMR 4350 All will print an inch or better. hdbiker
 
So you used BLC-2 and Varget data for powders that are "similar" well that's not the right way to do things and you need published reliable data for the actual powder you are using.

STOP what you are doing reevaluate your loading practices and BE SAFE! If the powders you tried were the same as BLC2 and Varget then you'd see similar velocities, and you aren't so clearly they aren't similar at all and you are playing with fire.
 
I contacted Shooters World for the Load data I used with Tactical & Precision. I mentioned out that Shooters World's pamphlet states that these powders are similar in burning rate to BLC2 and Varget...with no inference that one can use the same loading data for them.
 
Ok I guess I was confused because I saw no mention of actual SW powder data all I saw was you were saying similar powder and posted data for 2 powders you didn't use.

I guess the SW data they gave you just isn't fast enough for you. Don't blame you either. I'm getting 3200 from a 75hp from an AR-15 Wildcat. Using less powder too.

I guess Varget and BLC2 is what you need to try.
 
I should probably have mentioned it. The loads with Precision were quite accurate at 200 yards..just about equal to my .22-250 Rem Varmintmaster, but just too slow.
 
I've used Speers._ But eventually switched to Hornady 75s H-P because of their ultra slim explosive profile._ The powder my 243 preferred was IMR 4831 and Federal brass.
As I recall.
The 4831 powder charging tipped with a Horn 75 Hp its velocity was near 3500 fps. Still have the rifle but its been retired for awhile. >Ruger M-77 243 Flat Bolt.
"A surprisingly accurate rifle."
 
Thank you, Sure Shot.....!

Hornady's 75 HP # 2420 is discontinued--it had a BC of .294 vs .192 for the Speer bullet. Hornady has replaced theirs with a V-max version with a plastic tip and a BC of .330. I don't shoot more than 250 yards, so the Speer version is good enough for me,
 
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I would suggest using the 10 round load development ladder. It looks like you have a chrono and if you've got good case prep where each case is similar such as FL and bullet grip. I normally use 4166,varget,4350, and 4451. I'll start with about.2 over max and drop .2 of a grain for the next 9 loads. (loading only one round at each charge). Mark and use the highest speed node. Then you can load a string of 3 or 4 to gauge the best jump.
 
Shooters World Tactical doesn't appear to list any 75 grain data or .243 data using their Tactical Rifle powder. However, 44.0 of it is the START load for a 125/130 grain .308 Win load.
Like CarJunkieLS1 says, what you're doing by just substituting powders is not safe. There is no such thing as "similar" when it comes to gun powders. Data is not interchangeable between cartridges.
Used 75 grain bullets, long ago, in my .243. H414, I think. It's more like very long ago. Switched to 90 and 105 grain Speers with IMR4350.
"...about .2 over max..." That's not how reloading is done either.
 
T. O Heir

I contacted SW and they gave me some loading data specifically for the .243 Win w/ the Speer 75 HP # 1205 bullet. Their ballistician is to get back to me later this week with data for their MATCH powder. I am not into loading it to just before the gun blows up.

The purpose of this thread was to find out what loads others are using in this caliber and with this bullet....more on an advisory basis, as I know one should be wary of any loads offered on the I-net. I was miffed that the SW powder loads mentioned had such low velocities. I also know that increasing the powder charges is not a wise idea.
 
While I haven't loaded the Speer 75 gr HP in decades, I have recently put together some very nice loads with the Speer 70 gr TNT using a maximum load of Ramshot Big Game . You might try some Big Game with those 75 gr HP's. It was able to push the 70 gr TNT almost 3500 fps out of a 22" barrel.
 
T.O'Heir - I think you opinion of how things are to be is a little bias. If you follow the published load data you'll never find the rifle's maximum efficiency. I reload to produce accuracy and velocity at its maximum. Nothing is a substitute for accuracy. This statement alone differentiates our philosophy of shooting. You may feel that it's never necessary to shoot beyond 300 yards or have a group inside of a .3 moa or have very tight velocities. All this is fine for the general shooter and a stock rifle. I'm not a general shooter with a stock rifle and factory ammo. Whether I'm reloading 2 full grains over published or not, I always open my post by stating a suggestion or opinion. Try not to convince the reader that you know all.
 
Gotta go with TO Heir on this one...he said that starting. 2 over max and then reducing charge isn't how it's done. He's 100% correct.

Start LOW and work UP. Not Up then Down. Now going slightly over max in your rifle with your combo may be fine BUT it's to be worked up slowly and carefully NOT all willy nilly and .2 over max to start is just asking for trouble. .2 over after a careful load work up not a big deal to me.
 
"...If you follow the published load data you'll never find the rifle's maximum efficiency..." That is absolute nonsense.
Reloading 2 full grains over published is unsafe plain and simple is not an opinion. It's a fact. Starting over max is 100% unsafe. One does NOT start at .2 over and work down. One begins with the start load and works up. Please read your manual. Assuming you have such a thing.
 
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