I have worked up some, what I thought to be, very good loads using Varget for my .243 and 30-30. I was reading somewhere that the H4895 was particularly suited for the .243. I was wondering if it would be worth my time and expense to try working up loads for my .243 and 30-30 using H4895? Has anyone gotten better groups in these calibers switching from Varget to H4895? Or, is it simply a matter of some guns liking the Varget better while others like the H4895 better? (I keep Varget and H4895 in stock. I use the H4895 for my friends .308). This just made me think, maybe I need to try the Varget in ammo for my friends 308, but that's another question.

If you read that H-4895 is "particularly suited" for the .243, then the author must have been speaking of either very light bullets or reduced loads. H-4895 is somewhat too fast for optimum velocities in a .243 with any but the very lightest bullets. I have used it successfully with 55 grain bullets, but only with these miniature pills will it give you top velocities. I have also used it for moderate loads with 85 grain bullets. However, the slightly slower burning Varget should do better with bullets of greater than 55 grains. In fact, with bullets in the 90-100 grain range, you need a somewhat slower powder still like 4350, or better, H4831.

H-4895 is fine with a .30-30.

Could be wrong about reading that H4895 was well suited for the .243 , however, my Lee Modern Reloading Manual, 2nd Edition lists very similar velocities for Varget & H4895 for 55 though 107 grain bullets. It does show that for the heavier bullets H4831 produces about 100 fps more velocity than the other two. I have been reloading 57 through 75 grain V-maxs. This does point out a possible problem I'd been having shooting tight groups with 100 grain bullets in my .243. I had thought the problem was with my gun. I figured that since it shot the light bullets so well it might not shoot the heavier bullets well, but it could be the powder I've been using for the 100 grain bullets. Thanks for brining that too my attention.

I would think H4895 to be more suited for light weights in 243.

In 30-30 it is a great choice, you can usually match factory loads with H4895. My personal favorite when it comes to 30-30.

Good Luck

Reloader