.243 Win & Berger 95 gr VLD load

[txsendero]

Looking for help on which way to go on powder with the 95 grain Berger VLD. Have a Rem model 700 .243 Win w/24" barrel, WW brass, and loaded 95 grain Berger VLD's with H4831SC, but didn't get accuracy or velocity I was hoping for (slightly over 2900 fps at max load of H4831SC). Should I try a faster burning powder, or a slower burning one (such as H1000?). Wanting to stay with Hodgdon powders, I have some H1000 and Retumbo, and Varget.
Thanks

 

[bosstom]

I have been looking for a load for the 95 grain NBT. I tried Varget and it didn't give the accuracy that im looking for, around 1" 3 shot groups. Im not sure about the velocity as I didn't shoot over a chronograph. My next powder was going to be 4831sc, but after reading your post I think I will try some IMR 4350.
I have some load info from Walt for the 95 VLD, if you want this info send me a pm and I will send you the info he sent me.

 

[txsendero]

I do also have the info from Walt, but it just list all the powders, doesnt' really tell me if I should try a slower or faster powder. I guess I am going to try it with H1000 next, since I have some on hand.

 

[Dano1]

Try H414 with a magnum primer or H4350. You need a 26" bbl to burn anything slower . I'm using H414 with 100g Sierra GameKings in my .243 AI and I'm Yeilding around 3150FPS (22"bbl) That's pretty good, but I'm not using max loads, just the most accurate ones.

According to the Hodgdon Website top velocities are yeilded with H414 and Winchester 760. They don't even list Retumbo as a propellant. They do list H1000, but it seems it's too slow. The bullet they are listing is also a Nosler partition, you should be able go faster with the 95g Bergers.

I have a Friend who has experimented with Retumbo in his .243 AI and he was certain that a longer bbl was more conducive for the slower burning stuff. He Yeilded 3177FPS in a26"bbl with 105g A-Max bullets.

Just a thought,

Dan

 

[Dano1]

Oh yeah,

I forgot to add that I'm using H414 in my .243 Win Remington 700 VLS with a .75g Sierra Hollow Point (Around 3400FPS), I was using H4895, but was having pressure problems with H4895 even when below max. I decided on H414, because it yeilded the highest velocities with a 80% or more case fill and lowest pressure. I may have been using more H414 than H4895, but It helped in the long run and turned out to be the most accurate load for the rifle to date.

I've been able to shoot chucks with it out to 630yds and it'll stack 5 shots at 100yds.

H414 is also cheaper, around $2 less per pound, It is temperature sensative, but in such a small case that is helped by using a magnum primer, being a ball powder.

I am interested in trying it with heavier bullets, but I'm hessitant to do so, after all, the 75g load is so accurate. (don't fix what aint broke) Right?!?

Dan

 

[benchrest243]

I am using 45 grains of accurate 3100 nice clover leafs at 100yds.gun)velocity 3100 out of a 26 inch barrel.

 

[Freebore]

I use AA3100 powder in my 23" .243Win. Sako. Could not get velocities or tight groups w/H or IMR 4350 nor H or IMR4831. I shoot the 95 Nosler Bal-tip. The Bergers would not group for me at the velocities I wanted. It just hammers those Tx whitetails. Done pretty good here in Pa. too the past 2 years.
For me AA3100 gives me the powder between the 4831's and RL-22. N-160 is a good performer in the .243 too but got better accuracy w/AA3100.

 

[txsendero]

Anyone else have experience with the 95 gr VLD in .243Win?
Also, if I try the H4350, should I use CCI BR2 primer or WLRM primer?

 

[Rosco P]

I am using Win 780 Supreme for my 105 Match load. Shoots tiny little groups at 100 yds with an OAL of 2.760, 3030 FPS, 47.3gr. Over max so work up.

Heres the kicker, out of a 20 inch barrel...Thats movin. The 780 seems to be the best suited for the .243 application of the mess I tried.

I would look into H100V as well.

I am going to work up my 95VLD load in the coming days. I have read alot about them liking to be in the lands. I find that to be impractical for hunting purposes but we'll see what I can do.

 

[mike33]

I have a 243 in rem 700 ss 24" factory 9 1/8 twist. Doing a lot of testing last few weeks and for the Berger 95 hunting vld i am shooting 95 grains of H- 414 fed. lr mag. primer. Groups was mid 4's to low 5's , velocity 3018.
Also tried imr - 4350 start at 43 and work your way up. However 414 was very consistant. I shoot a magnum primer in anything any more in a large rifle case.
Mike

 

[Fitch]

I realize it isn't a VLD but the bullet weight is the same. I've had good accuracy with a 95g NBT using IMR7828, WLR primer. ES in the 'teens.

I've never needed a magnum primer with either IMR4350 or H4350 in a .243.

Fitch

 

[tnshooter111]

I have had ok luck with 34gr varget in 243 vls groups .6 at 100yds

 

[3degreesbelow0]

I have a 243 in rem 700 ss 24" factory 9 1/8 twist. Doing a lot of testing last few weeks and for the Berger 95 hunting vld i am shooting 95 grains of H- 414 fed. lr mag. primer. Groups was mid 4's to low 5's , velocity 3018.
Also tried imr - 4350 start at 43 and work your way up. However 414 was very consistant. I shoot a magnum primer in anything any more in a large rifle case.
Mike

Mike I assume you meant 45 grains of H-414 with a 95grain bergerVLD?

Also your loads seem very hot!

Looking at Hodgdon's website for 95 gr partitons

H-414 starts at 39gr Max of 42gr
IMR 4350 starts at 38gr Max of 41.8gr
Varget starts at 33gr Max of 35gr

Add to this that the Bergers are very long and may have to be seated deep you run the risk of a compressed load with those high charge weights?

I have test loads worked up of varget and H414 based on Hodgdon's info for 2 different rifles a 20" barreled micro hunter and a long throated 24" barrelled win m-70 Coyote, haven't tried them yet but will let everyone know what I experience.

 

[3degreesbelow0]

Here is the target for the 20" barreled a-bolt 33-35 grains varget in 1.0gr steps left to right, top row is .040 off lands, middle is .020 off, bottom is on the lands not allowed to use chronograph at this range so I'll have to go back and test velocity on the good groups no pressure signs in any loads.