.243 and the available V-Max~anybody have IMR 4350 load data?

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.22LRGUY

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Hey guys...I'm a little stumped here. I'm about to start the first loads for my new .243 (Savage Predator Max 1, 1:9.25") and after WAY too much reading on the topic...it seems the favourite powder for this caliber seems to be IMR4350. So, I tracked a pound of that down..but have lots of Varget, H4198, H322, Benchmark, Reloader 10X on hand as well. Bullets on hand to test out (varmint work) are all Hornady V-Max, and I have a box of 100 58gr., 65gr., 75gr, and 87gr. So today...I get down to it and turn to the Hodgdon site only to see they don't even list load data for the lighter 3 of those bullet weights. IMR4350 pops-up as an option around the 85gr. mark. I don't mind trying some of the "recipes" that have been recommended...but I don't want to go over spec. either.

Any thoughts?

Of the powders I have on hand..I was only planning on using Varget and IMR4350.

Thanks for any help you can offer. I've also referred to the Hornady reloading manual, consistent with the findings on the Hodgdon site.
 
Hornady #8 shows Varget and H-4350 for most of those, I switch between H and IMR 4350 all the time but work up from starting loads. Usually I end up about 1 grain difference between them at Max.
 
I primarily use the Nosler manual for my 243 and almost always load with Varget (but also 4064 and H414/W760).

I also have the Sierra manual and for your bullets it suggests:

58gr - varget 39.7 - 43.0 (no 4350 loads)

65gr - no 65 grain listings

75gr - varget 36.7 - 41.1 IMR 4350 - 41.6 - 44.6

87gr - varget 34.7 - 38.0 IMR 4350 - 39.6 - 42.2

The Varget loads give better velocity, sometimes in the 200 fps range, with the hotter loads compared to the 4350. With the lightest of your bullets the H414/W760 are capable of the fastest (listed) speeds if you are a "speed freak" :)
 
I will find out from my buddy what we loaded in our 55bt, but for sure we didnt use 4350 as it is not optimal for the lighter stuff. I think its one of the 41xx series powder.
 
Cleftwynd said:
Click to expand...
Strange that the 58gr Vmax max loads only go up to 3600 fps, and yet the factory ammo is 3925 fps. It's like they are saying it isn't safe for you to load beyond 3600, and yet they do (and sell it to consumers).

Btw, my 243 shoots quite well with these. Flat shooting. With the 200 yard zero, only about 4" drop at 300.
 
The book shows 3800, I know, poor pic. Have you fired those factory rounds through a chronograph? The book might be a bit conservative, but I am betting the factory rounds don't hit what it says on the box.
 
Easy 9mm said:
Strange that the 58gr Vmax max loads only go up to 3600 fps, and yet the factory ammo is 3925 fps. It's like they are saying it isn't safe for you to load beyond 3600, and yet they do (and sell it to consumers).

Btw, my 243 shoots quite well with these. Flat shooting. With the 200 yard zero, only about 4" drop at 300.
Click to expand...

What is even more strange is the different min/max loads from the different loading manuals.

Yes, they tested different brass, different primers, different rifles with different barrel lengths, all of which WILL change things a little, but some of the variances with the "same powder" and "same bullet" are like 3 grains different - and in a 243, 3 grains is a "whole lot".

Because of that I really tend to stick with a single manual, despite have a couple of different ones.
 
Cleftwynd said:
The book shows 3800, I know, poor pic. Have you fired those factory rounds through a chronograph? The book might be a bit conservative, but I am betting the factory rounds don't hit what it says on the box.
Click to expand...

Haha, must have been too early in the morning when I was looking at the listed speed. Haven't ran the factory rounds over the chrono yet, and it could be a while. My folks have had a bit of problems with coyotes, so my dad has been hanging on to my 243. He needed something to reach a little further than his .22 Cooey. Only problem was as soon as he borrowed my 243, he sold off his 22 and regretted it immediately when the squirrels came around. And then he figured if 243 is good enough for coyote, it should be fine for squirrel and proceeded to vaporize one at 25 yards with these 58gr V-max.
 
Lyman 48th edition show 58gr loads with IMR 4350 and I have used them in my 243 rifles, both HB varmint models. start is 45.0
and max is 50. my best ones were at 47gr. FS
 
I should clarify that the Lyman manual's best powder is IMR 4350 with 58 and 65 gr Vmax bullets, not just that there is load data for this powder. FS
 
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