243 Win - Federal Primers vs CCI

I`m (so far) not impressed with Varget.I bought a second pound of it to try again.Varget cost around $7-$8 more a pound than other powders I like to use.I READ elswhere on the net that Varget doesnt have very good lot to lot consistancy (+/- a full grain in a .308 Win. load)???
Like 458 Win says about web info. who knows.
I do like to keep the barrel clean (20-30 rnds then clean)when working up loads.good bad i dont know, just how I do it.
 
Why do you pay 7-8.00 more per lb??? Supply and demand??? Cabelas sells them all within 2.00 per lb on all IMR and H series powders???
 
The .243 was the first rifle cartridge I ever reloaded for. CCI Primers, H414, and Speer 100gr Boattails and 70gr TNT HP's. Why that particular combo? Because its all the gunshop had
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H414 is nice because it spherical and meters superbly. Varget is what I use in my .308 but have not had any trouble with it. $ difference between different BRANDs of powder varies $5-10 where I shop but most powders of a givin brand are within $1-$2 of each other.

Just be safe about reloading and if a particular load doesn't work out owell at least you tried it.
 
Originally Posted By: ADCcoyoteWhy do you pay 7-8.00 more per lb??? Supply and demand??? Cabelas sells them all within 2.00 per lb on all IMR and H series powders???
I suppose it could be supply and demand in my location? or maybe they seen me coming? haha I dont know.My Cabellas store(Omaha)usually has a small selection of powders / primers so I have bought most from Scheels. I cant recall which place I bought the Varget, but considering how many folks are using it with good results I figured its worth trying again.
 
I finally got a load with Varget and Nosler 70 BT's to shoot well in my 243, but I had folks tell me that CCI BR-2's worked better with Varget in particular, than the Rem 9 1/2's. I haven't confirmed that yet... ran out of 70's just as I picked up a case of the CCI's, but I will be shortly. Meanwhile, I tried 4064 with CCI's and some Sierra 80 (SBT) bullets - very nice!

41.8 of Varget w/70BT's @ 2.695" using Rem 9 1/2 LR primers.
39.8 of IMR4064w/80SBT's@ 2.650" using CCI BR-2 primers.

Now you might be able to swap in a Sierra 85 HPBT in that last 4064 load pretty easily, but otherwise I would consider both of the above to simply be varmint loads and not ideal for other hunting.


I've only been reloading for 2 going on 3 years now maybe, but I love it! Like you, I waited a long time to jump in but I am sure glad I did. You'll shoot more for the same $$, and shoot better at the end of the day. Enjoy.
 
I have 2 243's I use for hunting. I shoot a 95 grain Nosler Partition and IMR4350.. Primers are usually CCI but lately I have been using Federal..

As for a good accurate load, you will need to work that up in YOUR rifle.. What works for others might not work for you.. Every gun is different..
 
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