Using Varget for .243 Win. question

[rdl65]

I have been testing some loads for .243 with 95gr NBT and Varget. My best load was 3gr. over recommended max load. 35gr. is max load in the reloading manual and I am using 38gr.
I know reloading manuals are conservative because of liability issues. There are no signs of too much pressure that I can tell. The primers on factory loads are more flattened out than the ones with this heavy load. I haven't run this load over the chronograph yet but will next trip to the range.
Am I using a load that may eventually cause trouble? What do some of You reloading experts think about this?

 

[mr.big]

10% over is tilting the can for sure,,you can get by with it sometimes,,sometimes you cant,,

I dont think you will get anyone to tell you it is OK to go 3 grs over on a 35 gr load,,thats one you have to decide on yourself

 

[rdl65]

mr.big, I would never recommend this load either. I also am not real comfortable with it. But it shoots real nice groups. I am going to load a few more and run them through the chrono, but I may end up backing this load off a bit.

 

[.444 Marlin]

I never go over the max load in the manuals. Honestly I dont like going over %93 case capacity. My loads usually stop getting messed with about half way between minimum and half charge. And I seat mine no more than .020 off the lands. Most of the time in any remington Ive tinkered with, the gun likes the bullet to be .010" off the lands.

 

[rdl65]

DA, this load is seated .015" off the lands. The gun is a Remington 700 with a sporter barrel. I loaded 34-38gr. in half grain increments. The lighter loads were grouping 1.5" to 1.75" A 100 yds. off the bench. It started to group better around 37gr. and grouped best with 38gr. 38gr group was .5" 4 shot group @ 100yds.

 

[mr.big]

I would try H414,RL 15 and some others and try to get a group without havin to mash the gas that hard

 

[rdl65]

I may try some other powders but I was wanting to use Varget because I use it to load .223 These two calibers are all I load for as far as rifles and would like to get away with using the same powder if possible.

 

[mr.big]

then I would try another bullet,,Varget is a little fast for heavy bullets in 243,,I would try 85 Partitions,,or the Sierra BTHP

 

[redblood]

I use varget in my 140 gr 7mm08 loads and it is the fastest load in the manual i use. They shoot well and clock well.

 

[jakeway]

I'd get or borrow a chronograph and find out what vel you're getting with hot load vs. published max. In my short barrelled .243 and my .260 I get very little increased vel with full load than with a grain less powder. I don't think the slight increase in performance or accuracy with the hot load is worth the risk.

 

[TiminTN]

There may be zero risk. I always use the manuals as a reference only as they NEVER agree with each other anyway. I keep many on hand for this reason, and let the firearm I am loading for tell me where upper end pressure is. Your velocity comparison is a very good idea to watch for. Heavy lift in the bolt handle is a sure sign and as DA pointed out may dramaticly increase as the outside temprature/humidity raises. This firearm is displaying classic signs of rifles shooting their best at upper end pressures. He was watching the groups get smaller and that is how I do my business too.

 

[Kimberman]

H4350 and 100 gr pills out of a 243 is your friend. I tried to get some 85 gr Barnes TSX bullets to shoot with Varget out of my 243, but my gun didnt like them.

 

[mr.big]

I will agree with Tim on that most guns shoot thier best on the ragged edge of sanity,,there is no way I would tell you the loads I have fired through my 25-06,,

 

[rdl65]

I am going to run it through a chrony the next time I go to the range. As far as pressure signs, I shot some factory loaded ammo the same day and the primers were flattened more on them than the heavy loads. The primers were not lose when I punched them out, and there were no extraction problems.

As far as shooting it on a 95 degree day, I dont think I will be doing that. I go to the range at daybreak to beat the crowds and I will just be using this gun to deer hunt with.

 

[rdl65]

I went to the range this morning and here are the chronograph results. The 35gr. load avg. was 2817 fps. for 5 shots and the 38gr. load avg. was 3073 fps. for 5 shots.

The 38gr. load measured .832 5 shot group @ 100yds. And the 35gr. load tightened up a bit measuring .965 5 shot group @ 100yds. Either load should kill a deer.