I'm new to reloading, but figure that I could find some guidance here.
Right now, I'm just loading for this cal., and I was recently given a box of 95 grain hornady SSTs and a pound of IMR 4064.
Can anyone give me a safe starting load or any suggestions.
My manuals don't have any listings for this combo and I don't feel comfortable just making assumptions at this point in my reloading.
Thanks in advance!

quote:

Originally posted by bluemtn:
I'm new to reloading, but figure that I could find some guidance here.
Right now, I'm just loading for this cal., and I was recently given a box of 95 grain hornady SSTs and a pound of IMR 4064.
Can anyone give me a safe starting load or any suggestions.
My manuals don't have any listings for this combo and I don't feel comfortable just making assumptions at this point in my reloading.
Thanks in advance!

If you have data for heavier bullets you could back that off some to start.

I'll look through my stuff when I get home tonight and see if I can find some data for you.

4064 is a great powder for the .243. I'll try to remember to look in the Hornady manual tonight.

LWD

4064 may be a little fast for that bullet but here is what I found.

IMR-4064 From 29.4 grains to 36.5 grains

More info

I have had good luck with that same bullet using I4350. That loading data is for generic 95 grain bullets, I would start at about 33 grains and work up...

Thanks for the info so far guys. This is why I come here.
I appreciate the link The Derek.
And LWD, I'd really appreciate it if you do happen to come across the info in the Hornady manual. I really don't want to drop $35 for that manualright now, since I don't know that I will be loading other Hornady bullets anytime soon.

This is just my experience, but the data in the books is just general info to give you a safe starting point, typically if you use a specific weight bullet, it doesnt matter what manufacturer makes them (except maybe the pre tsx barnes), you can use the same powder and start low and work up.

What I do is use the reloading data I find as a general starting point and work up, watching for pressure signs in the process. I typically start loading a few grains under max and load up in half grain increments, take them out and test for accuracy. If I get an accurate load, without encountering pressure signs, I call it good and load a bunch. Its that easy.

You should find accruacy somewhere between 35 and 37 grains of IMR-4064. My rifle likes 37gr with 95gr Nosler Ballistic Tips. You may find that 40 to 42 grains of IMR-4350 also works well.

I may have spoken too soon, and The Derek may be correct. The Hornady Manual 7th edition lists a minimum charge of 29.4 gr for 2500 fps and a maximum of 34.2 gr for 2800 fps. Every other powder listed generates more velocity---2900 or 3000 fps.

LWD

quote:

Originally posted by LWD:
Every other powder listed generates more velocity---2900 or 3000 fps. LWD

Probably so, but IMR4064 is one of those less popular powders that usually produces top accuracy!

I have 9 pounds of the stuff. I will likely have used all of it by this time next year in 4 different rifles.

BTW, this is from Steves Pages:

243, 95 gr bullet, IMR 4064

Ackley Reloading Manual 1962 243 uses:
a) 100 gr 37.8 gr 4064 3000 fps
b) 90 gr 38.0 gr 4064 3150 fps

Pacific reloading manual 1967 243 uses:
a) 100 gr 37.8 gr 4064 3000 fps
b) 90 gr 38.0 gr 4064 3150 fps

See a pattern?
If so, you could write a load book.
"How to write a mediocre load book" second revision


Quickload thinks that a 24" .243Win barrel, a 95 gr SST, 2.71" OAL, and 38.6 gr IMR4064 will produce 90.6% case fill, 59,807 psi, and 3037 fps.

I recently developed a number of loads with the .243 and Quickload. 60,000 psi is not just the SAAMI limit, it is also close to the limit of no change in primer pocket size for many firings of the same new piece of Winchester brass.

The Quickload predictions on velocity were near the median of the chronograph strings.

I've used IMR4064 with 58 - 85 grain bullets in the 243 for about 25 years but I haven't tried it with any heavier bullets.

For 95 and 100 grain bullets in the 243, I use 35 grains of 4064, 4895 or 4320 kind of as a standard charge...

you can run it a little hotter, but you can't beat the accuracy...