wisconsinteacher
Handloader
- Dec 2, 2010
- 1,976
- 290
I'm' working on my 243 with 70 grain B-tips and have 2 powders to try, Varget and IMR4350. Of the two, what one would you start with?
243 Powder?
- Thread starter wisconsinteacher
- Start date
wildgene
Handloader
- Jul 4, 2011
- 1,597
- 2
...I'd try the Varget, don' think you'll get good results w/ IMR 4350 till you get up into the heavier bullets...
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,664
- 5,453
- Nov 4, 2004
- 24,939
- 7,843
I'd start with IMR4895.
The club load was 39.0 grs IMR4895 and a 70 gr bullet. It shot well under MOA in 7-8 rifles.
JD338
The club load was 39.0 grs IMR4895 and a 70 gr bullet. It shot well under MOA in 7-8 rifles.
JD338
nvbroncrider
Handloader
- Aug 20, 2011
- 3,085
- 4
1Shot":2dk422td said:
Yeah I was running 45 gr and it was hot but good load in mine. That 243 kicks like a mule has since day one. Now using H380 Nosler best accuracy load at around 3k groups under an inch without any load work.
I don't find much difference between Varget and IMR 4350 in my rifle. 22 inch barrel gives 3475fps with 47.0g 4350, shoots sub MOA with several 0.4 inch groups. I get 3515 with 42.0g Varget, but the accuracy load with varget in my rifle is 40.0g which shoots 3435fps and sub MOA with several groups at 0.7 inches.
Varget uses 7 grains less powder per round, about the only benefit I see. But I can get ahold of 4350 much easier lately.
Varget uses 7 grains less powder per round, about the only benefit I see. But I can get ahold of 4350 much easier lately.
Cartridge : .243 Win.
Bullet : .243, 70, Nosler BalTip 39532
Useable Case Capaci: 51.230 grain H2O = 3.326 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Hodgdon VARGET
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% 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
-20.0 75 34.40 2755 1180 32485 8871 91.4 1.260
-18.0 77 35.26 2818 1234 34537 9129 92.6 1.232
-16.0 79 36.12 2880 1289 36708 9377 93.7 1.205
-14.0 81 36.98 2942 1346 39004 9616 94.7 1.172
-12.0 83 37.84 3004 1403 41433 9844 95.6 1.139
-10.0 85 38.70 3065 1461 44000 10061 96.5 1.108
-08.0 87 39.56 3127 1519 46715 10265 97.2 1.078
-06.0 88 40.42 3187 1579 49585 10455 97.9 1.049
-04.0 90 41.28 3247 1639 52620 10632 98.5 1.021 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 92 42.14 3307 1700 55831 10793 99.0 0.994 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 94 43.00 3366 1762 59228 10939 99.4 0.968 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 96 43.86 3425 1823 62823 11069 99.7 0.943 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 98 44.72 3483 1886 66629 11181 99.9 0.919 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 100 45.58 3541 1949 70661 11276 100.0 0.896 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 102 46.44 3597 2012 74935 11354 100.0 0.874 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 104 47.30 3654 2075 79467 11425 100.0 0.852 !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 94 43.00 3493 1897 68610 10684 100.0 0.906 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 94 43.00 3191 1583 49875 10748 95.1 1.049
Cartridge : .243 Win.
Bullet : .243, 70, Nosler BalTip 39532
Useable Case Capaci: 51.230 grain H2O = 3.326 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : IMR 4064
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% 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
-20.0 75 33.60 2738 1165 31934 8780 91.5 1.278
-18.0 77 34.44 2800 1219 33951 9032 92.7 1.247
-16.0 79 35.28 2862 1273 36085 9275 93.7 1.219
-14.0 81 36.12 2924 1329 38339 9508 94.8 1.187
-12.0 83 36.96 2986 1385 40722 9730 95.7 1.154
-10.0 85 37.80 3047 1443 43240 9940 96.5 1.122
-08.0 87 38.64 3108 1501 45901 10138 97.3 1.091
-06.0 89 39.48 3168 1560 48712 10321 97.9 1.062
-04.0 90 40.32 3228 1619 51682 10491 98.5 1.033 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 92 41.16 3287 1679 54822 10646 99.0 1.006 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 94 42.00 3346 1740 58140 10785 99.4 0.980 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 96 42.84 3404 1801 61650 10908 99.7 0.955 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 98 43.68 3462 1862 65362 11014 99.9 0.930 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 100 44.52 3518 1924 69290 11102 100.0 0.907 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 102 45.36 3575 1986 73449 11173 100.0 0.884 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 104 46.20 3630 2048 77856 11238 100.0 0.862 !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 94 42.00 3473 1875 67517 10505 100.0 0.915 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 94 42.00 3169 1561 48788 10620 95.1 1.064
Cartridge : .243 Win.
Bullet : .243, 70, Nosler BalTip 39532
Useable Case Capaci: 51.230 grain H2O = 3.326 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : IMR 4895
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% 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
-20.0 73 34.40 2797 1216 32504 9450 92.4 1.279
-18.0 75 35.26 2863 1274 34612 9718 93.5 1.250
-16.0 76 36.12 2927 1332 36843 9975 94.6 1.221
-14.0 78 36.98 2992 1391 39204 10220 95.6 1.186
-12.0 80 37.84 3056 1452 41701 10451 96.5 1.151
-10.0 82 38.70 3120 1513 44342 10667 97.3 1.119
-08.0 84 39.56 3183 1575 47134 10869 98.0 1.087
-06.0 86 40.42 3245 1637 50086 11053 98.6 1.057
-04.0 87 41.28 3307 1700 53208 11221 99.1 1.028 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 89 42.14 3369 1764 56509 11370 99.5 1.001 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 91 43.00 3429 1828 60000 11501 99.7 0.974 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 93 43.86 3489 1892 63693 11612 99.9 0.948 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 95 44.72 3548 1957 67602 11704 100.0 0.923 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 97 45.58 3607 2022 71740 11780 100.0 0.899 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 98 46.44 3664 2087 76123 11853 100.0 0.876 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 100 47.30 3721 2152 80767 11924 100.0 0.854 !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 91 43.00 3562 1972 70366 11146 100.0 0.906 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 91 43.00 3241 1633 49665 11414 96.0 1.064
Cartridge : .243 Win.
Bullet : .243, 70, Nosler BalTip 39532
Useable Case Capaci: 51.230 grain H2O = 3.326 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : IMR 4350
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% 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
-20.0 81 37.84 2698 1131 30979 8750 84.4 1.291
-18.0 83 38.79 2764 1187 33094 9047 85.9 1.260
-16.0 85 39.73 2831 1245 35352 9338 87.3 1.229
-14.0 87 40.68 2898 1305 37765 9622 88.7 1.196
-12.0 89 41.62 2965 1366 40341 9897 90.0 1.160
-10.0 91 42.57 3032 1429 43073 10162 91.3 1.126
-08.0 93 43.52 3099 1493 45964 10417 92.5 1.093
-06.0 95 44.46 3166 1558 49046 10660 93.6 1.061
-04.0 97 45.41 3233 1625 52336 10889 94.6 1.030 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 99 46.35 3300 1693 55848 11105 95.6 1.001 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 101 47.30 3367 1762 59600 11305 96.4 0.972 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 103 48.25 3433 1832 63612 11488 97.2 0.944 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 105 49.19 3500 1904 67903 11655 97.9 0.917 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 107 50.14 3566 1977 72498 11803 98.5 0.892 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 109 51.08 3632 2050 77423 11932 99.0 0.867 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 111 52.03 3697 2125 82707 12040 99.4 0.842 !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 101 47.30 3529 1936 70130 11353 99.7 0.903 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 101 47.30 3158 1550 49261 10758 89.6 1.060
Have fun, I am betting between Varget and 4350 you'll find a great shooting load pretty quick.
JD's load using IMR4895 is a good one. Shot it a couple of times in my rifle.
Bullet : .243, 70, Nosler BalTip 39532
Useable Case Capaci: 51.230 grain H2O = 3.326 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Hodgdon VARGET
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% 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
-20.0 75 34.40 2755 1180 32485 8871 91.4 1.260
-18.0 77 35.26 2818 1234 34537 9129 92.6 1.232
-16.0 79 36.12 2880 1289 36708 9377 93.7 1.205
-14.0 81 36.98 2942 1346 39004 9616 94.7 1.172
-12.0 83 37.84 3004 1403 41433 9844 95.6 1.139
-10.0 85 38.70 3065 1461 44000 10061 96.5 1.108
-08.0 87 39.56 3127 1519 46715 10265 97.2 1.078
-06.0 88 40.42 3187 1579 49585 10455 97.9 1.049
-04.0 90 41.28 3247 1639 52620 10632 98.5 1.021 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 92 42.14 3307 1700 55831 10793 99.0 0.994 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 94 43.00 3366 1762 59228 10939 99.4 0.968 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 96 43.86 3425 1823 62823 11069 99.7 0.943 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 98 44.72 3483 1886 66629 11181 99.9 0.919 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 100 45.58 3541 1949 70661 11276 100.0 0.896 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 102 46.44 3597 2012 74935 11354 100.0 0.874 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 104 47.30 3654 2075 79467 11425 100.0 0.852 !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 94 43.00 3493 1897 68610 10684 100.0 0.906 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 94 43.00 3191 1583 49875 10748 95.1 1.049
Cartridge : .243 Win.
Bullet : .243, 70, Nosler BalTip 39532
Useable Case Capaci: 51.230 grain H2O = 3.326 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : IMR 4064
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% 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
-20.0 75 33.60 2738 1165 31934 8780 91.5 1.278
-18.0 77 34.44 2800 1219 33951 9032 92.7 1.247
-16.0 79 35.28 2862 1273 36085 9275 93.7 1.219
-14.0 81 36.12 2924 1329 38339 9508 94.8 1.187
-12.0 83 36.96 2986 1385 40722 9730 95.7 1.154
-10.0 85 37.80 3047 1443 43240 9940 96.5 1.122
-08.0 87 38.64 3108 1501 45901 10138 97.3 1.091
-06.0 89 39.48 3168 1560 48712 10321 97.9 1.062
-04.0 90 40.32 3228 1619 51682 10491 98.5 1.033 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 92 41.16 3287 1679 54822 10646 99.0 1.006 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 94 42.00 3346 1740 58140 10785 99.4 0.980 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 96 42.84 3404 1801 61650 10908 99.7 0.955 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 98 43.68 3462 1862 65362 11014 99.9 0.930 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 100 44.52 3518 1924 69290 11102 100.0 0.907 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 102 45.36 3575 1986 73449 11173 100.0 0.884 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 104 46.20 3630 2048 77856 11238 100.0 0.862 !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 94 42.00 3473 1875 67517 10505 100.0 0.915 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 94 42.00 3169 1561 48788 10620 95.1 1.064
Cartridge : .243 Win.
Bullet : .243, 70, Nosler BalTip 39532
Useable Case Capaci: 51.230 grain H2O = 3.326 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : IMR 4895
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% 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
-20.0 73 34.40 2797 1216 32504 9450 92.4 1.279
-18.0 75 35.26 2863 1274 34612 9718 93.5 1.250
-16.0 76 36.12 2927 1332 36843 9975 94.6 1.221
-14.0 78 36.98 2992 1391 39204 10220 95.6 1.186
-12.0 80 37.84 3056 1452 41701 10451 96.5 1.151
-10.0 82 38.70 3120 1513 44342 10667 97.3 1.119
-08.0 84 39.56 3183 1575 47134 10869 98.0 1.087
-06.0 86 40.42 3245 1637 50086 11053 98.6 1.057
-04.0 87 41.28 3307 1700 53208 11221 99.1 1.028 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 89 42.14 3369 1764 56509 11370 99.5 1.001 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 91 43.00 3429 1828 60000 11501 99.7 0.974 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 93 43.86 3489 1892 63693 11612 99.9 0.948 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 95 44.72 3548 1957 67602 11704 100.0 0.923 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 97 45.58 3607 2022 71740 11780 100.0 0.899 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 98 46.44 3664 2087 76123 11853 100.0 0.876 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 100 47.30 3721 2152 80767 11924 100.0 0.854 !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 91 43.00 3562 1972 70366 11146 100.0 0.906 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 91 43.00 3241 1633 49665 11414 96.0 1.064
Cartridge : .243 Win.
Bullet : .243, 70, Nosler BalTip 39532
Useable Case Capaci: 51.230 grain H2O = 3.326 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : IMR 4350
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% 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
-20.0 81 37.84 2698 1131 30979 8750 84.4 1.291
-18.0 83 38.79 2764 1187 33094 9047 85.9 1.260
-16.0 85 39.73 2831 1245 35352 9338 87.3 1.229
-14.0 87 40.68 2898 1305 37765 9622 88.7 1.196
-12.0 89 41.62 2965 1366 40341 9897 90.0 1.160
-10.0 91 42.57 3032 1429 43073 10162 91.3 1.126
-08.0 93 43.52 3099 1493 45964 10417 92.5 1.093
-06.0 95 44.46 3166 1558 49046 10660 93.6 1.061
-04.0 97 45.41 3233 1625 52336 10889 94.6 1.030 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 99 46.35 3300 1693 55848 11105 95.6 1.001 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 101 47.30 3367 1762 59600 11305 96.4 0.972 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 103 48.25 3433 1832 63612 11488 97.2 0.944 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 105 49.19 3500 1904 67903 11655 97.9 0.917 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 107 50.14 3566 1977 72498 11803 98.5 0.892 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 109 51.08 3632 2050 77423 11932 99.0 0.867 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 111 52.03 3697 2125 82707 12040 99.4 0.842 !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 101 47.30 3529 1936 70130 11353 99.7 0.903 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 101 47.30 3158 1550 49261 10758 89.6 1.060
Have fun, I am betting between Varget and 4350 you'll find a great shooting load pretty quick.
JD's load using IMR4895 is a good one. Shot it a couple of times in my rifle.
Woodycreek
Handloader
- Aug 2, 2007
- 2,240
- 0
42gr of Varget was my accuracy load with the 70 BT before the rifle was rechambered to 243 AI.
filmjunkie4ever
Handloader
- May 4, 2011
- 1,840
- 932
I use 4064 and H380 for my lightweight bullets and 4350 for the 100-105 grainers.
It's been my experience that most .243s aren't particularly finicky and will shoot most any load decently.
It's been my experience that most .243s aren't particularly finicky and will shoot most any load decently.
2ndtimer
Handloader
- Sep 26, 2004
- 269
- 11
We just tried some Ramshot Big Game with the 70 gr Ballistic Tip and the results were amazing. Max load from Nosler manual clocked an average 3550 fps out of a 22" barrel (Stevens 200), and put 4 shots in under an inch at 200 yards with 3 touching. Sure wish I could find some more, but haven‘t seen any in stores or online for a while.
