Powder for 65-70g 243?

Taco-XL · April 14, 2015, 05:54 AM

Just getting into reloading. I plan on trying to load either 65g V-Max or 70g Nosler BT Varmint (if they shoot accurately in my gun, Savage Axis 2). I will be using it for coyote, maybe some target use. So i dont need a heavy bullet, as i wont be deer hunting with it. I currently have IMR 4895, 4064, 4350, H4831sc, and RL-15. I see a lot of info on 4350 but its mostly with heavier bullets; i cant find much info on lighter bullet weights. Varget seems to be mentioned alot but i dont have any right now. Is the 4350 to slow for bullets that light? I know I could work up loads in every single powder for both bullets but thats alot of powder and reloading. lol.

hooligan1 · April 16, 2015, 09:46 PM

IMR 3031 is a good powder for lighter bullets in .243 win.

Clark · April 16, 2015, 10:41 PM

I built a 1903 Turk Mauser 243 rifle pro bono for the daughter of a soldier in Iraq in 2008.
It was too heavy, so I built her another one.
I did test the heavy one.

Quote:

6mm 65 gr Hornady Vmax moly, 40 gr Surplus IMR4895 that behaves like H322, 2.7" OAL. jammed into the lands

No extractor groove growth in 3 firings of same piece of brass.
3510 fps measured
0.54" 5 shot group at 50 yards

FrankenMauser · April 16, 2015, 10:48 PM

For lighter bullets, IMR4064 is still a good option.

Other good choices are RL-15, 3031, Varget, VV N140, A2520, and Varget.

3031 does really well in that weight class, as does RL-15.

People also report good velocity and performance with Power Pro 2000-MR, but data is difficult to find. For PP2000MR, the only data that I have is in the 2015 Alliant load book:
65 gr VMax, Fed 210 primer, Federal brass, 2.600" COAL, 44.5 gr MAX, 3,710 fps. (Highest velocity with that bullet and Alliant powders.)
75 gr VMax, Fed 210 primer, Federal brass, 2.640" COAL, 41.0 gr MAX, 3,440 fps. (Highest velocity with that bullet and Alliant powders.)
-unknown test platform and barrel length for both.

riverratt · April 16, 2015, 11:24 PM

Another vote for IMR 3031.

Jim Watson · April 16, 2015, 11:59 PM

From powders ON HAND I would compare 4895 and 4064.
4350 and 4831 are slow for such light bullets.
Re 15 ought to work like 4064 but Lyman does not list it.

April 14, 2015, 05:54 AM	#1
Taco-XL Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2015 Location: West Virginia Posts: 168	Powder for 65-70g 243? Just getting into reloading. I plan on trying to load either 65g V-Max or 70g Nosler BT Varmint (if they shoot accurately in my gun, Savage Axis 2). I will be using it for coyote, maybe some target use. So i dont need a heavy bullet, as i wont be deer hunting with it. I currently have IMR 4895, 4064, 4350, H4831sc, and RL-15. I see a lot of info on 4350 but its mostly with heavier bullets; i cant find much info on lighter bullet weights. Varget seems to be mentioned alot but i dont have any right now. Is the 4350 to slow for bullets that light? I know I could work up loads in every single powder for both bullets but thats alot of powder and reloading. lol.

April 16, 2015, 09:46 PM	#2
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,587	IMR 3031 is a good powder for lighter bullets in .243 win. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

April 16, 2015, 10:48 PM	#4
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,427	For lighter bullets, IMR4064 is still a good option. Other good choices are RL-15, 3031, Varget, VV N140, A2520, and Varget. 3031 does really well in that weight class, as does RL-15. People also report good velocity and performance with Power Pro 2000-MR, but data is difficult to find. For PP2000MR, the only data that I have is in the 2015 Alliant load book: 65 gr VMax, Fed 210 primer, Federal brass, 2.600" COAL, 44.5 gr MAX, 3,710 fps. (Highest velocity with that bullet and Alliant powders.) 75 gr VMax, Fed 210 primer, Federal brass, 2.640" COAL, 41.0 gr MAX, 3,440 fps. (Highest velocity with that bullet and Alliant powders.) -unknown test platform and barrel length for both. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

April 16, 2015, 11:24 PM	#5
riverratt Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2014 Posts: 314	Another vote for IMR 3031.

April 16, 2015, 11:59 PM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,545	From powders ON HAND I would compare 4895 and 4064. 4350 and 4831 are slow for such light bullets. Re 15 ought to work like 4064 but Lyman does not list it.