Powder/load suggestions for the 243 WSSM

[Woodycreek]

My 243 WSSM upper should here in 2-3 weeks and dies ordered today. Anybody have any powder/ load suggestions using the 100 PT or 105 Amax? I'm looking at H4350 and H4831sc for initial test loads.

 

[6mm Remington]

Brian I would think both those powders might work very well in your 243 WSSM. The new #7 Nosler does not list in the "Technical Section" any powders that they have found that work for them, nor does the author of the article on the WSSM talk about any of his favorites.

It does show R15 as the "most accurate" in the rifle that Nosler used for the testing with 95/100 gr. bullets, and both H4831SC and H4350 are represented in the chart. Hope this helps also. I wish I had some experience with that cartridge, but it does seem to have about the same capacity as the 6mm Remington, and they always suggest IMR4350 as a good first powder to try with almost any bullet weight.

Hodgdon
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Nosler
http://www.nosler.com/Reloading-Data/24 ... rains.aspx

 

[FOTIS]

Best load came up with

243 WSSM 95 NPT 45.5/W760 3215 fps win cap

 

[jason miller]

If I had a 243 wssm, I'd be trying the 80 grain TTSX with rl17. Should be able to get some impressive velocity...

 

[BK]

Depends on what I wanted to use it for. If I thought I was going to be hunting deer at less than 300 or so yards. If I was planning on going longer, I'd be looking for something heavier. If it was a 'yote gun, I'd be looking a different bullet as well.

I really wanted to whack a deer with my .243 this year with that bullet, though...

 

[jason miller]

I was going by the original post- he mentioned the 105 a-max, but also the 100 Partition. I would think an 80 TTSX should do anything a 100 Partition can do.

That 95@3200+ that Fotis mentioned would probably be a hammer, too.

 

[Too Tall]

I head shot a coyote with a 95 grain CT, out of a .243 WSSM, at 626 yards. Hit him on the second shot. Called the wind wrong, on the first one. My load is real close to what Fotis posted. I tried to duplicate the factory load.

My rife is a Model 70 Stealth II, with a 8-32 x50 Burris Black Diamond.

 

[Too Tall]

Also, I read somewhere that Ramshot Hunter is a great powder for the WSSM family.

Read a story about a fellow in PA. shooting a .223 WSSM across the canyon. Was hitting what he was shooting at, with a 80 grain bullet, at 900 yards. Realy impressed the other big bore boys that were there.

 

[SJB358]

My 243 WSSM upper should here in 2-3 weeks and dies ordered today. Anybody have any powder/ load suggestions using the 100 PT or 105 Amax? I'm looking at H4350 and H4831sc for initial test loads.

Cartridge : .243 WSSM
Bullet : .243, 105, Hornady A-MAX 24562
Useable Case Capaci: 48.314 grain H2O = 3.137 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.360 inch = 59.94 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 63000 psi, or 434 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

153 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Norma MRP 103.4 48.0 3.11 3152 99.6 63000 13901 1.082 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 105.1 47.8 3.10 3143 97.4 63000 14144 1.078 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum 107.4 51.2 3.32 3140 98.3 63000 13913 1.070 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517 107.8 51.2 3.32 3139 98.3 63000 13900 1.070 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12 107.6 51.2 3.31 3139 98.3 63000 13880 1.070 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO 105.3 49.9 3.23 3129 96.1 63000 14172 1.084 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 103.7 47.4 3.07 3129 97.8 63000 13702 1.069 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 109.6 47.4 3.07 3129 97.8 63000 13702 1.069 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation 105.4 47.4 3.07 3120 98.9 63000 13648 1.083 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 105.4 47.4 3.07 3120 98.9 63000 13648 1.083 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 105.4 47.4 3.07 3120 98.9 63000 13648 1.083 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR 108.2 47.7 3.09 3119 98.8 63000 13658 1.084 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213 104.6 47.1 3.05 3113 97.7 63000 13555 1.068 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 110.0 48.7 3.16 3110 100.0 59944 13345 1.097 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214 108.4 50.1 3.25 3101 97.9 63000 13371 1.066 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905 106.5 47.1 3.05 3083 97.3 63000 13258 1.084 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209 101.5 45.0 2.91 3079 98.7 63000 12924 1.073 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 102.1 45.5 2.95 3076 98.7 63000 12995 1.081 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation 108.2 49.1 3.18 3073 95.7 63000 13287 1.072 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 97.6 44.9 2.91 3072 99.9 63000 12633 1.087 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 92.2 43.4 2.81 3070 99.6 63000 12679 1.089 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 92.2 43.4 2.81 3070 99.6 63000 12679 1.089 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation 102.8 45.8 2.97 3069 98.7 63000 12900 1.082 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365 99.3 44.0 2.85 3062 100.0 63000 11754 1.097 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP 97.1 42.8 2.77 3052 100.0 63000 12109 1.093 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4 100.0 44.5 2.88 3052 98.5 63000 12658 1.082 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 100.0 44.5 2.88 3052 98.5 63000 12658 1.082 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 96.8 44.5 2.88 3052 98.5 63000 12658 1.082 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation 97.1 42.8 2.77 3052 100.0 63000 12106 1.093 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 94.4 42.9 2.78 3051 100.0 63000 12249 1.097 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC 103.2 46.5 3.01 3048 97.0 63000 12760 1.078 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 107.4 46.5 3.01 3048 97.0 63000 12760 1.078 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 100.7 42.9 2.78 3047 100.0 63000 12083 1.110 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385 102.2 46.0 2.98 3039 99.3 63000 12445 1.100 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831 101.9 43.5 2.82 3033 100.0 63000 11851 1.102 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot BigGame 90.7 41.7 2.70 3031 100.0 63000 11672 1.092 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 11 90.8 41.8 2.71 3030 100.0 63000 11656 1.092 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT ~approximation 97.6 44.1 2.86 3029 99.5 63000 12230 1.094 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780 100.5 47.2 3.06 3026 98.6 63000 12326 1.086 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2 110.0 49.0 3.17 3023 97.0 54867 13813 1.153 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 107.5 47.4 3.07 3022 99.1 63000 12140 1.090 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904 100.8 44.3 2.87 3022 97.8 63000 12332 1.083 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder 33 110.0 53.8 3.49 3021 92.2 54108 14524 1.152
Vihtavuori N570 110.0 51.7 3.35 3021 91.0 53339 14644 1.159
Lovex S070 96.8 42.7 2.76 3014 99.7 63000 12035 1.101 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 99.5 43.4 2.81 3014 99.3 63000 12000 1.086 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 97.7 43.3 2.80 3014 99.3 63000 11978 1.086 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 99.7 42.9 2.78 3011 100.0 63000 11174 1.093 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7 NT ~approximation 91.8 41.3 2.67 3009 99.7 63000 11682 1.074 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 107.5 45.9 2.98 3004 97.7 63000 12099 1.086 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4320 90.4 39.6 2.57 2999 100.0 63000 11136 1.083 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907 94.7 41.4 2.68 2995 99.3 63000 11839 1.094 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC 91.7 41.4 2.68 2995 99.3 63000 11830 1.094 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903 92.0 40.6 2.63 2993 100.0 63000 11172 1.112 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065 95.7 41.7 2.70 2992 99.9 63000 11594 1.100 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355 92.3 40.2 2.60 2989 100.0 63000 11180 1.105 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361 99.7 47.3 3.06 2987 97.0 63000 12060 1.094 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3 NT ~approximation 93.4 41.3 2.68 2986 99.9 63000 11375 1.085 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100 110.0 46.3 3.00 2984 99.7 60059 12046 1.138 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S071 110.0 46.3 3.00 2984 99.7 60059 12046 1.138 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2208 91.1 39.4 2.55 2984 100.0 63000 11147 1.085 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon VARGET 91.4 39.4 2.55 2984 100.0 63000 11147 1.085 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4064 91.9 38.6 2.50 2975 100.0 63000 10946 1.090 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000 110.0 48.5 3.14 2966 96.3 54880 12925 1.137 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064 93.6 39.0 2.53 2951 100.0 63000 10568 1.132 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2700 92.8 42.7 2.76 2947 99.2 63000 11184 1.097 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N150 97.3 40.9 2.65 2946 100.0 63000 10526 1.104 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Retumbo 110.0 49.3 3.19 2903 97.8 47639 13505 1.218

Cartridge : .243 WSSM
Bullet : .243, 105, Hornady A-MAX 24562
Useable Case Capaci: 48.314 grain H2O = 3.137 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.360 inch = 59.94 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4350

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.0 90 39.21 2744 1755 47099 11029 96.7 1.243
-09.0 91 39.65 2773 1792 48566 11147 97.0 1.225
-08.0 92 40.08 2801 1829 50077 11261 97.4 1.207
-07.0 93 40.52 2830 1867 51633 11373 97.7 1.190
-06.0 94 40.96 2858 1905 53236 11480 98.0 1.173
-05.0 95 41.39 2887 1943 54888 11583 98.3 1.157 ! Near Maximum !
-04.0 96 41.83 2915 1981 56590 11683 98.5 1.140 ! Near Maximum !
-03.0 97 42.26 2943 2020 58344 11779 98.8 1.124 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 98 42.70 2972 2059 60152 11870 99.0 1.109 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 99 43.13 3000 2098 62016 11958 99.2 1.094 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 100 43.57 3028 2138 63937 12041 99.4 1.078 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+01.0 101 44.01 3056 2178 65918 12119 99.5 1.064 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 102 44.44 3084 2218 67962 12193 99.7 1.049 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0 103 44.88 3112 2258 70069 12263 99.8 1.035 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 104 45.31 3140 2298 72244 12327 99.9 1.021 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 105 45.75 3167 2339 74489 12387 99.9 1.007 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 100 43.57 3143 2303 74673 11694 100.0 1.008 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 100 43.57 2868 1917 53310 11878 95.1 1.171


Cartridge : .243 WSSM
Bullet : .243, 105, Hornady A-MAX 24562
Useable Case Capaci: 48.314 grain H2O = 3.137 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.360 inch = 59.94 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4831 SC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.0 93 41.73 2716 1719 44248 11384 92.1 1.270
-09.0 94 42.20 2748 1761 45790 11537 92.6 1.249
-08.0 95 42.66 2780 1802 47387 11686 93.2 1.229
-07.0 96 43.12 2813 1845 49043 11831 93.7 1.210
-06.0 97 43.59 2845 1888 50764 11973 94.3 1.191
-05.0 98 44.05 2878 1931 52550 12111 94.8 1.172
-04.0 99 44.52 2911 1975 54404 12245 95.2 1.153 ! Near Maximum !
-03.0 100 44.98 2943 2020 56332 12375 95.7 1.135 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 101 45.44 2976 2065 58335 12500 96.1 1.117 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 102 45.91 3009 2111 60418 12621 96.6 1.099 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 103 46.37 3042 2157 62585 12737 97.0 1.082 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 104 46.83 3075 2204 64838 12849 97.3 1.065 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 105 47.30 3107 2251 67174 12955 97.7 1.048 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0 106 47.76 3140 2299 69596 13056 98.0 1.031 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 107 48.22 3173 2348 72115 13151 98.3 1.015 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 108 48.69 3206 2397 74737 13241 98.6 0.999 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 103 46.37 3193 2377 74840 12694 99.9 1.002 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 103 46.37 2844 1886 51049 12150 90.0 1.184



Cartridge : .243 WSSM
Bullet : .243, 105, Hornady A-MAX 24562
Useable Case Capaci: 48.314 grain H2O = 3.137 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.360 inch = 59.94 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Winchester 760

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.0 83 39.01 2772 1791 45863 11642 97.0 1.262
-09.0 84 39.44 2802 1830 47324 11764 97.4 1.243
-08.0 85 39.87 2831 1869 48830 11883 97.7 1.225
-07.0 86 40.31 2861 1908 50381 11997 98.0 1.207
-06.0 86 40.74 2890 1948 51980 12107 98.3 1.190
-05.0 87 41.17 2920 1988 53628 12212 98.6 1.173
-04.0 88 41.61 2949 2028 55326 12312 98.9 1.156 ! Near Maximum !
-03.0 89 42.04 2978 2068 57077 12408 99.1 1.139 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 90 42.47 3007 2109 58882 12499 99.3 1.123 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 91 42.91 3037 2150 60743 12585 99.4 1.107 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 92 43.34 3066 2191 62663 12666 99.6 1.091 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 93 43.77 3094 2232 64642 12742 99.7 1.076 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 94 44.21 3123 2274 66684 12812 99.8 1.061 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0 95 44.64 3152 2316 68791 12877 99.9 1.046 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 96 45.07 3180 2358 70964 12936 100.0 1.031 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 97 45.51 3209 2400 73208 12990 100.0 1.017 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 92 43.34 3188 2370 74301 12231 100.0 1.014 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 92 43.34 2890 1948 51207 12551 95.3 1.194

 

[Ridge_Runner]

varget or IMR 4350
RR

 

[Woodycreek]

Thanks guys! I grabbed some W760 and H4831sc today. Already had some H4350, RL-19, RL-22, and 7828ssc. Sticking with 95gr and heavier bullets. Thinking about trying some 107 CCs and 115 Dtac bullets. The 100gr PTs will work great for deer and the 105-115s should be great for yotes and long range steel. This rifle will never have a Barnes bullet go down the barrel.