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Author Topic: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??  (Read 6505 times)

Offline swordtine

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Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« on: February 05, 2017, 09:18:38 AM »
Hi everyone, I am looking for your opinion on a good reloading powder that can service both my .243 with 85 gr Barnes tsx bullets as well as some 150 gr hunting bullets for my .308..

From what I'm seeing first off it looks like Varget may be my best choice but what do y'all think? I know I won't have the 'best of both worlds' and I saw I could use 4350 I believe for both as well...just startin to load a little on my buddy's equipment and not wanting to buy everything at once! Is varget a good option?  Thanks for any advice.
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Offline h20hunter

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2017, 09:25:01 AM »
I like Varget, runs well in my 223 and 308.

Offline fly-by

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2017, 09:45:28 AM »
4064 would be another good choice for lighter weight bullets in both. It is very similar to Varget. 

Offline yorketransport

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2017, 10:07:39 AM »
Varget is really hard to beat, it works in almost anything!

Offline carpsniperg2

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2017, 10:40:15 AM »
I have run IMR4064 in both.
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Offline Bill W

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2017, 11:35:33 AM »
I went thru 24 lbs of AA 2520 in my .308.  It was a good High Power shooting load for me.

Offline Stein

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2017, 11:50:21 AM »
I use H4350 for both the .243 and 30-06 although it is hard to come by lately.

Offline Bill W

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2017, 12:59:14 PM »
When you pick your particular powder for reloading, the ball powders will meter better.  You won't need to weigh every single powder load.  Varget is not a ball but it meters well.  4064 a little worse but still good.  4350 likes to hang up in powder measures. 

Offline Thefishguy77

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Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2017, 01:06:00 PM »
For autoloaders I run 4064. For bolt guns I have H4831 loads for a 243, 308, 30-06.

Varget is a great powder if you can find it and afford it.


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« Last Edit: February 12, 2017, 05:00:39 PM by Thefishguy77 »

Offline h20hunter

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #9 on: February 05, 2017, 01:07:00 PM »
My last 8lb of varget came from Naches supply.

Offline C-Money

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #10 on: February 05, 2017, 01:33:49 PM »
IMR 4350 would be perfect.  :tup:
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Offline The scout

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #11 on: February 05, 2017, 01:36:38 PM »
Varget

Offline swordtine

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2017, 10:09:57 PM »
Thank you all for the input!! Wow, great to hear from everyone with experience.

I will see if I can get my hands on some varget I think. Will update once I load some up!!
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Offline jrebel

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #13 on: February 05, 2017, 10:50:03 PM »
H414????

Offline jasnt

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2017, 05:01:43 PM »
Re17 ,h4350, varget , imr4064. What ever you can find that both rifles like
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Offline swordtine

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #15 on: February 06, 2017, 06:10:39 PM »
Re17 ,h4350, varget , imr4064. What ever you can find that both rifles like

Awesome-thank you!!
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Offline h20hunter

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #16 on: February 06, 2017, 07:20:12 PM »
Where are you located?

Offline swordtine

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #17 on: February 06, 2017, 08:18:50 PM »
I live in Tacoma, am regularly in puyallup and gig harbor as well..
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Offline actionshooter

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #18 on: February 06, 2017, 11:03:32 PM »
Cabelas in Lacey had Varget a couple of days ago, not the best price, but they had it. Powder Valley has 1# containers right now also.

Offline Bill W

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #19 on: February 07, 2017, 07:39:36 AM »
I've got about 7 lbs of Varget in an open jug that could use a new home.  I sold the rifle I was shooting it in.

Offline Buckblaster

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #20 on: February 08, 2017, 07:22:38 AM »
Since Varget is one of the Hodgdon Extreme powders, I go with that.  I've tested it from temps in the teens to the 70's, in which velocities and groups maintained consistency through the all different temperature ranges tested.
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Offline jasnt

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #21 on: February 08, 2017, 07:30:17 AM »
With my 243 I saw less temp sensitivity with H4350 than varget. Varget was good but H4350 was better especially in high temps
https://www.howlforwildlife.org/take_action  It takes 10 seconds and it’s free. To easy to make an excuse not to make your voice heard!!!!!!

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Offline mountainman

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #22 on: February 08, 2017, 08:47:27 AM »
Varget
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Offline JLS

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #23 on: February 08, 2017, 08:50:26 AM »
Hi everyone, I am looking for your opinion on a good reloading powder that can service both my .243 with 85 gr Barnes tsx bullets as well as some 150 gr hunting bullets for my .308..

From what I'm seeing first off it looks like Varget may be my best choice but what do y'all think? I know I won't have the 'best of both worlds' and I saw I could use 4350 I believe for both as well...just startin to load a little on my buddy's equipment and not wanting to buy everything at once! Is varget a good option?  Thanks for any advice.

I have no idea how it would work in the .308, but my .243 shoots the Barnes 85 trainer really well with Hornaday Superperformance.
Matthew 7:13-14

Offline Thefishguy77

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #24 on: February 14, 2017, 08:27:07 AM »
@OP.

Are you shooting bolt guns or Semi-autos?  Bolt you have lots of options. Like I said. I use H4831 for 308, 243, 30-06 for bolt. For gas guns try a few varget variants you should not be disappointed.


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Offline swordtine

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Re: Single powder for both .243win and .308 reloads??
« Reply #25 on: February 23, 2017, 11:28:47 PM »
@OP.

Are you shooting bolt guns or Semi-autos?  Bolt you have lots of options. Like I said. I use H4831 for 308, 243, 30-06 for bolt. For gas guns try a few varget variants you should not be disappointed.


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Sorry, should have clarified that. .243 is a bolt gun and my .308 is a browning blr81...so basically a bolt action (operated by a lever)...thanks again for the advice!
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