help getting started

[bnsafe]

ive never reloaded rifle in my life. i have family that will use their reloaders but wanted yalls thoughts as im not gonna buy several different kinds of powders so wanna hopefully get the right thing first. i know theres some trial an error but tell me what works for you.
im getting a tikka 243 20 inch barrel. i have 95 gr tmk's, starline brass, cci br primers. hold up is powder and totally lost on that. i was leaning 8208, but then read maybe n140, maybe 4350. im looking for temp stable, higher velocity, accuracy. not necessarily in that order just what im looking for. So give me some loads that have worked for you.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

hodgdon extreme powders have always worked well for me. For accuracy you're on the right track thinking stick powders first

 

[SloppyJ]

Here's the deal, you're going to end up with a bunch of powders that you've just tried to make work. I think every reloader runs into that. I have a shelf full of 3/4 full pounds of powder.

The best advice I can give you is that I've had good luck with Hodgdon Extreme and the VV N series powders. If I started over today I'd buy a 8lb jug of varget, H4350 or N555, and N570. That would cover all of my bolt rifle reloading powder.

 

[Libtard McSocalist]

RL16 in your application. It’s more temp stable than h4350 and usually a little more speed in that size case.

 

[MuleyFever]

This is going to end up clear as mud for you. Lots of people get the best results with different combinations of components. Half the fun, or is it frustration, with reloading is finding what works for your rifle. If you're not really into it and are just doing it because you can, my suggestion is when you get something that is good enough just stop. You will end up with a shelf full of components you dont use if you like to tinker.

 

[alexnelon]

Don't take my word for it, for legal reasons. Safety first and all that.

42 grains of N555 will shoot lights out.

 

[TaperPin]

N555 is a high energy temp stable powder and would be at the top of my list in many situations where n140 or n160 also works. Many competitors use this in long range competitions (they are sponsored so it’s popularity is not all organic). The 243 with 90 to 100 gr bullets is in somewhat of a gray/muddy area where a number of powders can work and not many really stand out as far as velocity goes, but that also means it’s hard to make a bad choice. Vihtavuori loading data is online direct from the mother ship.

 

[bnsafe]

ive got a headache already. if i didnt wanna shoot tmk's id just buy something already loaded with a bt in it.

 

[rbaney]

Here is Sierras load date for that bullet/caliber combo mentioned.

https://sierrabullets.com/content/load-data/rifle/243-6mm/243-winchester.pdf

Best of luck to you. I shoot the 85 gr HPBT from Sierra in a 243 works great on whitetails.

 

[bnsafe]

interesting, looks like varget will do what i want it to. is it temp stable?

 

[ResearchinStuff]

yes. https://shop.hodgdon.com/hodgdon-varget/

 

[bnsafe]

im thinking about starting with 34 grains of 8208 an see what happens. or go buy some nosler trophy grade and be done lol