Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Powder for 264 WM and 243 WSSM

Starting to load for 264 WM and 243 WSSM, from looking over load charts looks like 7828 when we can get some powder may be a good choice to add to my inventory for these two. I will be loading 125 Partitions and /or 140 gr bullets and either 95 Partitions or 80 gr TTSX in the 243WSSM.

Most of the guns I load for normally either take medium rate powders or the calibers that need slower powder have been ok with 4831 powders. I have used some H870 in some things but my supply is about gone. Looking to add one powder for both of these two, any other suggestions besides 7828?

7828 works well in my 264 with 125 Partitions, No experience with the 243 short, but I would think 7828 would be a little to slow to be optimal.

While intriguing, the 294 WM really has no chance against the solidly established B29.

I use IMR 4350 in my 264’s. May not be the fastest, but is real accurate it the 3 I have.

Sorry, I was still drinking coffee when I posted. 264.

7977 & 8133 may be good. I have not loaded the 243 WSSM but the plain old 243 sure responds well to R26 anything in the burn rate chart slower than 4831 to faster than 869 would have potential. In the WSSM I would go to the upper range of burn rate in the H1000 area.

For years I have been using VV24N41 ( same burning rate as N570, but less expensive ) for my 264's with 140gr bullets. Delivers 3229fps with no pressure problems at all. Smooth with good case life. As said I have been using this powder in the 264 for many years. For 120 to 125gr bullets in the 264 Rel 33 is a standout, 3450 fps. . With 100gr bullets IMR 7828 is a winner, 3750 fps. Found 7828 to be to fast in the 264 for the heavier bullet weights. I have been loading for & shooting the 264since 1964. I have tried many powders , but these listed are standouts. Bbl length,26", both 1/9 & 1/8 twist, makes no difference. CCI #250 LR mag primers all the way around. Powder Valley has VV24N41 in stock better than most other sources.

I am a newbie to the .264WM, and still have more powder and bullet combinations to try. The best combination of speed and accuracy for my Winchester M70 Extreme Weather, so far, was with Viht N570. Velocity in my gun with N570 is 3230fps with a Hammer Hunter 117gn bullet. (Note: The graphs make it easier for me to know what's happening over a range of charge weights. And, I shoot 2-shot groups when testing a powder/bullet for speed and pressure. I go back and shoot 5-shot groups for any load that showed good accuracy potential with the 2-shot groups.)










IMR 7828SSC shows potential at around 3310fps, but that was right at the pressure limit. This was again with the Hammer Hunter 117gn. I am wondering if I can maybe find a way to reduce the pressure a little and still get accuracy around that potential 3300fps accuracy node. Maybe switch over to the Hammer Hunter 110gn or the Absolute Hammer 124gn . . . ?

I don't have a WSSM but as a subsitute for 4831 or 7828 in those cartridges I'd add Reloder 23 & 26 to my list of candidates. With RL-23 vs H4831 in my .264 it's equally temp stable and accurate, and gives a little more velocity. I haven't tried 7828 with my new .264 barrel but I have had really good results with the magical RL-26, and it should be a candidate in the WSSM since the Creedmoor guys like it. Hodgdon's burn rate chart says you can add IMR 4955 to the list. I'd grab the first one that came available but RL-23 would be my first choice.