243 75gn vmax superformance load data

[ratmanrover1]

Hi, I'm a newbie here and just getting into reloading. I've got and love the hornady vmax 75gn factory round. Ive already got 75gn vmax head's and a tub of superformance powder I can seem to find the main and max load data for this combination. Can anyone suggest a goot start off weight please. I'm thinking 44gn but not confident that's right and what's the max? Any help appreciated thanks in advance
Dave

 

[Czhowa]

I got sick of trawling through books and websites for data so I've written down published loads for various powders. All are for .243 win and where two different min/max powder weights are shown it is because different bullet manufacturers have different data.
The only specific 75 vmax load data is shown on the superformance tub (49gn) which I'm assuming is the maximum, due to the data either side on my list. I'm sure when I played around with 75s and superformance I got my best groups at 50.1gn with no pressure signs.
Starting off at 44gn sounds fine to me

 

[scotch_egg]

I looked at super performance powder. The super performance powder isn’t used in superperformance ammunition.

 

[User00040]

I looked at super performance powder. The super performance powder isn’t used in superperformance ammunition.

Not across the board, the canister grade stuff is a slow burning, modified (not round) ball powder made in the USA (St. Marks).

It's what goes into 30-06 Hornady Superformance ammunition, much like CFE 223 being their 204 Ruger powder.

Hornady's most recent edition of reloading manual has a fair bit of Superformance data in it now.

For the OP @ratmanrover1, Hodgdon might have 75 grain 243 data on the tub, but Hornady themselves are only reccomend this powder for use with bullets between 90-110 grains.

It's a very slow powder and at 49 grains you will probably be close to a compressed load. Unlike some coventional ball powders, this is OK to be used compressed (although magnun primers nay be necessary if you have poor ignition).

 

[ratmanrover1]

Thank you all for your input that's great. So if this superformance is a slow powder, what powder would be a better choice of powder that would suit the 75gn head? They are destined to go into a tikka t3 243 if that makes any difference. TIA

 

[fallow me]

Reloader 15,

 

[Czhowa]

N140 . I used to use re15 all the time but temp instability has turned me away from it. If only i could find some re15.5

 

[3.5mag]

N160

 

[kenbro]

I'm using Ramshot Hunter.
Ken.

 

[BigFrank]

Vihtavuori N140 will give a lower velocity but overall better accuracy up to 90g. N160 for heavier bullets. This is from their website.

 

[3.5mag]

N160 works very well in my T3X Varmint. Both Hornady & Viht show N160 as suitable for 75gr Vmax

 

[Boosh]

Vit N 160
Close to case capacity.
N150 and N140 are leaving a good gap unless you use the 65 or 58 grn vmax which can accept a little more powder.
Expect around 3200-3250 fps out of a 20 inch Tikka with this.
Cannot fault them.

 

[BigFrank]

I’d be happy with either N160 or N140 but I feel N140 has an advantage.

 

[Boosh]

N140 has an advantage Frank, with lighter bullets than 75 grn, or a wider case mouth than 6mm to let the bang out so to speak.
I've done a massive amount of testing with .243 from 75 grn down to 55 grn bullets
(lead free) with Vit N140/150/160 as a vermin round. (In a 20 inch Tikka of all things).
N160 75 grn
N150 65 grn
N140 55 grn (lead free)
Thats just my take on it with 100's of rounds, might save someone else shooting out there barrel prematurely.

 

[3.5mag]

---

 

[3.5mag]

Obviously work up for your rifle, I use 45gr N160, Fed primer, ppu case. Tikka T3X.
Cheers
Mike

 

[3.5mag]

 

[3.5mag]

Although Viht shows a higher max load, that will depend upon the batch date of powder...my N160 was a 2018 yr batch and corresponded with the Hornady data & was too hot beyond 45gr in my Tikka.

 

[ratmanrover1]

Although Viht shows a higher max load, that will depend upon the batch date of powder...my N160 was a 2018 yr batch and corresponded with the Hornady data & was too hot beyond 45gr in my Tikka.

When people say too hot what exactly does that mean? Is it that the case cannot handle it or the grouping is way out with too bigger charge behind it.

 

[Czhowa]

Excess pressure. Stiff bolt lift. Cratered, flattened, pierced primers