Testing 243 reloads in my Finnwolf

[Ojaileveraction]

I've had my Finnwolf out shooting Whinchester 100 grain getting used to the rifle and building a supply of once fired brass.
Monday I took it to the club 200yrd range with reloads. I had 25 reloads using Sierra 100gr Btsp and IMR3031 and 20 reloads using Speer 100gr btsp and Varget. Five rounds each Going from lowest published to Highest in one grain increments. The IMR3031 had a wider spread so it had 5 rungs of the ladder while the Varget needed only four. I used Sierra Reloading Data for their bullet and Hogdon Data for the Speer Bullet. Theoretical FPS ranged from 2500 to 2900.
This was just a test to make sure I was not overloading the rifle checking all the time for over pressure. No evidence of it I could see. Something I like to do when loading for a new to me rifle or caliber.
I didn't shoot paper only steel targets. We have a set of gongs set up out on a hill side at 300 meters. Off the bench I was hitting the 6 inch gong very consistently with adjustments for the ever increasing loads.
Looking forward to taking it to the 600 meter range for some paper shooting using some of mid range reloads.

[Slugnut]

I stopped reloading for my 243, I went over to the 30/30 and Big Bores. I have some reloading supplies pertaining to this caliber ( brass, bullets, dies, etc.) at a good price if you're interested. If I don't reply in a timely fashion, don't worry. I'm having medical/phyical problems with my elderly parents .

[bandit1250]

I never had much luck with IMR 3031 in the 243 Win. A little on the fast side for that case and doesn't fill the case as well as the slower burning powders. Winchester 760, H414 or IMR 4350 are better choices especially with the 100 gr. bullets. The Sierra 85 gr. spitzer was a very good deer killer for me and also worked well on varmints. Again it was best with 4350. Never liked the Sierra 85 HPT for deer.

[BigAl52]

Im going to agree with Bandit. My 243 loves 4350 and I have loaded for a couple of different 243 rifles. The Nosler 70gr ballistic tip will shoot under 1/2 inch 5 shot groups in my current 243. It also shot very well in another 243 I had. Give some a try I think you will like the results. They are deadly on varmints.

[Ojaileveraction]

Thank you bandit and BigAl, I do appreciate the suggestions .
760 is something I have. And used for 30-30. I see it in the Speer loading data.
I'm trying to work up a load for silhouette competition.
The 100gr bullets are available locally. I'd like to find and try some 105gr.
The 85gr Sierras would be good for the benchrest silhouette match.

Looking at your suggestions and looking at the "powder burn rate chart" I feel like I've walked off the deep end with this 243 endeavour. The calibers I'm used to reloading Varget is one of the slower powders.

I've got the decapped brass in the vibration tumbler right now.

If it was a hunting load I'd need a lead free bullet per California hunting regulations.
Something I support.
I have a 45-70 that I've got lead free rounds made up if the opportunity comes along.

[Ojaileveraction]

Took a Father's Day trip to the LGS and picked up some IMR4350.
Looked at the Nosler bullets. They are probably very good by the price off them.
I like that the 4350 is an extruded powder. The 760 can be messy to work with.
Thanks again for the suggestions.

[bandit1250]

When using the Win. 760 try standard and magnum primers. Sometimes the ball powders work better with the mag. primers as they are a little harder to ignite than the extruded powders. Magnum primers should be used in cold weather hunting loads with ball powders.

[Ojaileveraction]

I've been using magnum primers in reloading the 243.
Sierra suggests them for all their 243 data and Speer recommends them for 760 and IMR4350.
I bought a 243 Winchester Hornady Modified Case to check OAL and bullet seating depth. Had to order a curved Lock-N-Load OAL Length Gauge to use in the Finnwolf. I have a straight Gauge but removing the bolt on this rifle is not as easy as the Henry or Marlin center fire, lever actions I have.