Author Topic: Best 243 Powder??? (Read 8542 times)

bigvarmnt · « **on:** December 04, 2009, 05:59:07 AM »

I have a 243 now and everything to reload it. I have Varget and Imr4895 on hand from other carts. I bought 75 gr V-max bullets. The guy told me I needed a different powder and recomended 6 others

Said I needed to match burning rate to the other factors. Bullet weight, twist... Don't have a problem with getting other powders if needed. Won't load any heavier bullets.
He didn't have the other powders in stock so he wasn't trying to make a sale.
I need to figure out the search feature as the answer is prob. there.
Anyone have good results with 70-75 gr bullets? It's a Standard Stainless 22" Handi. Used for coyotes 300yds+ Thanks!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2009, 06:09:01 AM »

Hodgdon has data for both powders, I'd work up a load with the Varget myself.

Tim

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2009, 06:10:02 AM »

As far as I'm concerned that would be IMR3031.

lonewolf5348 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2009, 07:06:48 AM »

I find IMR 3031 with the lighter bullets up to 85 grains will tack drive them bullets but with 95 to 100 grains heads I switch to IMR4350

Swampman · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2009, 07:09:05 AM »

Varget

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2009, 07:17:46 AM »

I recently aquired a .243 and I've looked up some powders and loads, (In the FAQ's) and like said above for 75 grain HP Hornady's, Varget is a good powder.

Myself I plan on using 85 grain to 100 grain for deer and the loads I'm going to use are with either IMR 4350 or IMR 4831.

MS Mule · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2009, 01:41:44 PM »

IMR 4350 with 100gr. Gamekings and 100gr. Pro-Hunters
RL 22 with 95 gr. Partitions

Scibaer · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2009, 01:45:43 PM »

i like and use Varget

Elkoholic · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2009, 02:12:45 PM »

I use IMR 4350 also... In Handi's and other rifles it's been amazing
with bullets from 65 to 100gr bullets. Always 1" and under...

Good luck!!

Mike

Big Blue · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2009, 02:17:23 PM »

Varget and H414.
Don

Oldshooter · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2009, 02:20:42 PM »

When I reloaded 243 in the 70's I used 3031 and it performed well! but that was a few years back!

bobg · « **Reply #11 on:** December 05, 2009, 02:11:01 AM »

I always used IMR3031 with 75gr. bullets. I have a target of a 100yd. 10 shot group i shot that can be covered with a dime. This was shot with a Remington 788. Traded it for a Winchester in 223

. Hated that gun. Have never owned another Winchester or a 223 since.
bobg

PawPaw · « **Reply #12 on:** December 05, 2009, 03:54:05 AM »

Varget is good powder for 75 grain bullets. I've never tried 3031 in that caliber, although I keep a pound in the cabinet for .30-30.

If you step up to 100 grain bullets, try Alliant Reloder 22. I've got a load with that powder under 100 grain Hornadys that is very accurate and very fast. I won't talk about grains, but it's a listed load, under the maximum. That's my go-to load now in the .243 Winchester.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #13 on:** December 05, 2009, 04:38:08 AM »

i use varget mostly, but .243 also likes H4350. IMR 4064 isn't a bad choice either.

i would start with varget, you likely won't need any other powder

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2009, 04:40:47 AM »

+1 on the H414. My bull barrel 243 shoots sub-moa (3 shot group) with the lighter bullets and H414. Charlie

possum6 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 05, 2009, 12:19:40 PM »

I know nothing basicly about powder's except round ball-like, flake's which I've never seen, and extruded. ?? is, what make's VARGET such a good all-around powder? That is what I use the most of. I shoot .223 and .243 in the Handi's. Called Hodgden's and that's what they reccomended for the two caliber's. I have a great friend that taught me the basic's of reloading, He's been doing it for 30 some-odd year's, and he won't touch the stuff.

Big Blue · « **Reply #16 on:** December 05, 2009, 02:15:01 PM »

Don't know what's special about Varget, but it seems to work for me in most .308 based cartridges I've tried it in. I also like Varget (26.0gr.) the best for 69gr. bullet .223 loads.
Don

mechanic · « **Reply #17 on:** December 05, 2009, 02:21:50 PM »

I've got some quarter size groups with Varget.

gomerdog · « **Reply #18 on:** December 05, 2009, 05:08:57 PM »

Try some Ramshot Hunter...93% of max works for me with 95 grain bullets.

wtroger · « **Reply #19 on:** December 05, 2009, 05:24:37 PM »

You got 2 powders that usually work very well in 308 cases would try both of these before buying anything else I use Imr4895 in my 243 but I do shoot the heavier bullets.

Darreld Walton · « **Reply #20 on:** December 06, 2009, 01:01:33 AM »

Varget's biggest claim to fame seems to come from the target shooters. Temperature doesn't seem to affect it. At least, not nearly as much as a lot of other powders. Important towards the end of a rapid-fire string as a hot chamber and temp-sensitive powders will make the shots start climbing on the target.

In a .243, I load IMR 4350 almost exclusively with everything from 75-105 gr. weight bullets, but then, the .243 isn't exactly my favorite round, and I haven't given loading for it a lot of effort.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #21 on:** December 06, 2009, 01:34:04 AM »

I have not used VARGET. But I have a hard time thinking I can do any better then what IMR 4350 has done for me for the past 25 years...

Try em all and post up what you find out, ultimately its up to your gun!!

CW

spinafish · « **Reply #22 on:** December 06, 2009, 12:39:57 PM »

Varget..I use it for everything from 6.5 TCU to 45-70..with very good results.

Datil · « **Reply #23 on:** December 06, 2009, 03:53:48 PM »

I'VE GOTTA BE DIFFERENT My 243 I use IMR 4320 and 85 Gr, HPBT.

Datil

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #24 on:** December 07, 2009, 06:11:21 AM »

Yes you are a odd DUCK Marv and it ain't got nutin to do wif yer powder

I just got a 243 and really haven't looked a whole lot into powders but I do like to use the 3031 in many others and always have that on hand not sure yet what bullets I want to work with yet but also have the 4350. I don't have many reloaders near me but some of what I have gotten off here is some guys just love the ball and others won't touch pwders like the 3031 cause it's extruded making it harder to throw a consistent charge but I build nearly all my rounds one at a time and pretty much measure every charge so I like the 3031. I have been playing with others and am finally getting to see what makes Tim so big on the Lilgun. Kurt

243_shooter · « **Reply #25 on:** December 07, 2009, 02:33:55 PM »

i use IMR 4064 with 88 grain bergers and the shoot extremely well in my .243 ultra light......

possum6 · « **Reply #26 on:** December 09, 2009, 02:20:39 PM »

Quote from: Datil on December 06, 2009, 03:53:48 PM

I'VE GOTTA BE DIFFERENT My 243 I use IMR 4320 and 85 Gr, HPBT.

I loaded some IMR 4320 the other day. Was very accurate

Squib · « **Reply #27 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:04:19 PM »

varget doesn't take up all the space within a case unless it's compressed.... I think the dead space helps to soften the pressure spike. when the load is compressed the pressure will go up fast and it's much more recoil. trail boss is the same way- powerful powder by weight but the volume of it might lead you to believe it's weak. it's not! compress trailboss and that gun will explode (trail boss is about as fast as unique)- varget is a voluminous powder that'll fill your case up easily and keep the powder charge from settling, it's not temperature sensitive, and being single-base makes it slightly easier to burn from what I understand too (single-base is less complex on a molecular level, easier to break down).... basically it's not touchy at all but when it goes it goes fast.... the burn rate and ignition characteristics remain constant and if you take away the dead space to "cushion" the ignition you might not like the recoil. in .308 and 45-70 I've used varget and it's fine if not a max load... going down just a few grains (2 even) makes it go from sharp to comfy.

science/reason aside, just don't max it out and put more thump in your shoulder, leave it a step down and it'll be superconsistent and THAT will make you accurate- not 100ish more fps.

Doug B. · « **Reply #28 on:** December 10, 2009, 12:42:40 AM »

I have used IMR 4350 for 100gr. and IMR 4895 for the 85's for years. I would like to try some different combos but I haven't had/taken the time to do so. These loads have worked very well.

Steve P · « **Reply #29 on:** December 10, 2009, 07:55:16 AM »

H4831. You asked for the best. This is it.

Steve