243 Varget substitute

[StevenDale]

With Varget tough to come by and pricey when found I am looking for powders that have worked well for others with 55-60 grain bullets in 243 Win. Just want to see what has work for you guys and what powder charges you are using in these powders.

Local gun shop just got in H335 in 1 and 8 pounders at a little over $160 for the eights. Varget in 1 and 8 pounders with the eights at $174, OUCH!

 

[P51D]

IMR 3031 with 58 gr Hornady V-max bullets is working really well in my Savage 12FV. My best five shot group is about 0.6". I'm still toying around a little with the charge weight, but it's near the middle of the published charge weight range. You can pull the loading data off of the Hodgdon website.

And WELCOME to The High Road!

P51D

 

[Hutch]

I would gladly by much Varget at $174 per 8lb. I can't find it online, anywhere. My little town doesn't have much by way of local supply.

Waaaaaa.... <snuffle>

 

[ranger335v]

IMR-4064 is virtually the same as Varget.

 

[loadedround]

I just checked the Hodgdon website and found the following more popular powders that may be used in the 243 Win with 55-60 gr bullets:
Win 760
H380
IMR4320
IMR4064
IMR or H4895
These powders are not listed in any particular order. Check Hodgdons website
for charge weights. Good luck in your powder search.

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome StevenDale.

Alliant powders include Rel-15 and Rel-17.
Hodgdon's favorites are H4895, H380, BLC2 with the lighter bullets.
Accurate 2700 & 3100 is good and probably cheaper and maybe more available.
Ramshot Big Game and Hunter will also work.

Check some of the online load data at the main powder manufacture of each brand.

Locally, my dealer has a good supply of Varget and most powders.

NCsmitty

 

[depoloni]

I've always been a fan of, and had good luck with, H-4350 in my 243. Only shoot heavier bullets (87-100 gr.) but it's always been a good performer velocity and accuracy wise in my Rem 700 BDL.

With regards to Varget - someone said it already, but by all appearances (load data, personal experience, word of mouth) the stuff is VERY similar to IMR-4064. To the extent that I think of Varget as "4064 Short Cut" - aside from the shorter granules Varget has the two perform nearly identically load-for-velocity wise in my 223, 225 improved, and a few other calibers I tried the stuff in but don't prefer it for.

 

[Hutch]

Problem with 4064 being that it doesn't meter so well in a progressive press. Sigh...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

H4350 or IMR4350