80 gr .243, check my thinking

[splattergun]

Time to begin loading for my .243 Ruger American, 22" bbl, 9:1 twist. The only bullet LGS had on hand were Sierra 80 gr SBT "varminter" bullets, which suit me fine, as I will use these on 'yotes.

I have on hand H4895 and IMR 4350. I'm thinking both these should work for 80 gr, but would the 4350 be theoretically better due to its faster burn?

Or would something like Reloder 15 or H380 be a better choice? LGS is out of everything right now, but if it's worthwhile, I may wait a few weeks.
Thanks!

 

[2ndtimer]

Kind of depends on which powder your rifle prefers. I believe IMR-4350 will give higher velocity at maximum loads, but certainly either powder should be able to get you velocities in excess of 3000 fps, more than adequate for coyotes out to 300 or 400 yards. I would try the IMR-4350 first, and if accuracy and velocity are good, you are done. If not, try the H-4895, it might give you the accuracy you seek, and if you lose 100 or 150 fps, so what. The Sierra 80 gr Blitz is a good accurate bullet that should serve you well. I prefer the 70 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip or Speer TNT, myself, but these days, you take what you can get and try to make it work.

 

[gshipps]

33.3 of H 4895 gives me a cool barrel, mild shooting load that shoots lights out with those bullets. I use a lot of them. I get right at 3000 fps out of them.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Looking through my manual, 4895 has a max load of 38.5 gr and pushes the bullet at a tad over 3300 fps. 4350 has a max load of 41.5 gr and a velocity of just under 3200 fps (both with an 80 gr JSP bullet).

It really is about a wash. Both will be close in terms of velocity, just find out what your gun likes more.

I'm thinking both these should work for 80 gr, but would the 4350 be theoretically better due to its faster burn?

IMR 4350 is actually a slower burning powder than IMR 4895.

FWIW, hodgdon does not list any loads with 80 gr rounds using IMR 4350.

Hodgdon data center

 

[thomis]

I love the Sierra 80 grain in my .243 and the similar Sierra 125 grain in my .308. Both really need to be pushed to the higher end of the velocity spectrum for optimum accuracy but when you're there, accuracy is deadly.
By the way I use IMR 4064 primarily for the lighter bullets in my .243 but it also is a great combination with one of my 100 grain bullets (Hornady SP)

 

[jack44]

can you use varget with 80 85 gr bullet?

 

[splattergun]

IMR 4350 is actually a slower burning powder than IMR 4895.

FWIW, hodgdon does not list any loads with 80 gr rounds using IMR 4350.

Hodgdon data center

Oh, you're right. Thanks for the clarification. I was looking at chart backward.

My Lee manual shows max 38 gr H4895. Nothing for IMR4350 for 80 gr bullet, though it has a load for 85 gr. Is that the data you use?

 

[allaroundhunter]

Oh, you're right. Thanks for the clarification. I was looking at chart backward.

My Lee manual shows max 38 gr H4895. Nothing for IMR4350 for 80 gr bullet, though it has a load for 85 gr. Is that the data you use?

Nope, my manual gives me a max load of 38.5 gr for IMR 4895 (note, IMR 4895 is not the same powder as H4895. Though they are similar, do not load a round with IMR 4895 according to what a manual says to use with H4895. My manual does not have H4895 listed for an 80 .243 round).

My manual also gives me a max load of 41.5 gr of IMR 4350 with an 80 gr SP.

 

[the Black Spot]

I use varget with the 80 gr bullet.

 

[jack44]

Thanks Black Spot

 

[c.latrans]

In terms of performance noticeable in the field, I doubt you will ever be able to tell the difference in any of these powders. Build a load around the one that shows the most promise in your rifle and go shoot some coyotes...I doubt they will care one way or the other!