55gr ballistic tip for 243

Went to the gun shop the other day to buy some bullets for my groundhog load. Couldn't find what I,ve been using. The salesman there talked me into trying the Nosler 55gr ballistic tips for the 243. My problem is I can't find any info on loadings for this bullet wt. Any help would be great. I want to use IMR 3031 powder for loading. Thanks

Nosler has the data, but not for IMR3031. In the Hornady Manual, loads with that powder are listed for the 58-grain bullet. I'd start with 37 grains and work up slowly.

I use the 55-grain BTIp in my .243, and it performs very very well with RL15 and W748.

Jay T

I was under the impression that IMR 3031 was a slow burning powder, which was why it worked so well in .303 british... Am I wrong?

Yes, at least as far as common rifle powders go. In the IMR series of rifle powders, only IMR 4227 and IMR 4198 are faster. IMR has six slower burning powders in their lineup. In the Hornady chart of powder buning rates - shich includes a lot of fast burning pistol powders - IMR3031 is # 63 out of 110.

Due to the modest cpacity of the .303 it works best with medium burning rate powders., although IMR3031 is not a bad choice.with lighter bullets.

Jay T

Thanks to all who have replyed thus far. Please keep sending those replies.I still haven't gotten what I need as far as the use of IMR 3031 powder as of yet . I've been shootin 60gr hp for a long time now loaded with 36gr of 3031 they really shot well without burnin up my barrel.According to the Lyman book they should be right around 3365fps. Would like to try and keep the 55gr bt at about the same speed. Thanks again.

I use both IMR 4198 and 3031 in the .222 Rem cases. I have also used IMR 4064. From fast to slower just as I listed them.

The IMR 4064 works pretty well in medium cases like 6.5x55, 7x57, and 22-250. As does the IMR 4320. The 4320 being just a bit slower than 4064.

But for the 6.5 and 7mm and the 25-06 I've got the best accuracy and velocity with IMR 4350. It's slower than the 4320. The 25-06 is practicly twin to your .270

Bill Van Houten (USA Ret) 'No matter how hard you try, you can't throw a potato chip very far.'

Vic,

I like to use IMR 4350. Have had great luck with it in both of my .243s from 55 grain bullet up to the 95 grain ballistic silvertip.