Got a old .243 Savage lever action (model 99 i believe, love the gun) that i shoot and want to start reloading for it. Im a beginner reloader, and bought some IMR 4064 because my manual said it was universal for the other rifles we own. Anyway, bought a box of Hornady 105 A-Max (want a heavier bullet for deer) and cant find a load to match it with the 4064. Am I out of luck? any tips/suggestions would be great!

The reason IMR 4064 isn't listed for that bullet weight is because slower powders work better with the heavier bullets.

My number one suggestion would be to use a powder suggested for that bullet weight. You could also use a lighter bullet. A 70 grain bullet out of a 222 killed a deer just fine for me.

It's also possible to extrapolate reloading data. I might try this in a bolt action rifle or an Encore but don't think a lever action is a strong enough action to use when testing uncharted waters with a new load.

First off, don't open that box of A-Max bullets and see if you can trade them for something else, like the Hornady 95-grain SST. Hornady A-Max bullets are actually intended for target use and really aren't the best choice for game. I would be quite concerned about expansion since they have pretty heavy jackets. Besides, with the length of the A-Max bullets you will likely run into severe stability problems unless your rifle has a faster than usual twist rate...unlikely in your Savage. Additionally, that long bullet will have to be seated pretty deep in the case to function through your magazine and rifle. Seating it that deep is going to raise pressures beyond those of bullets seated to a lesser depth.

If you insist on 100-grain bullets and IMR 4064, Hodgdon shows 33.0 (2,672 fps) to 36.5 (2,902 fps) (minimum to maximum) grains of IMR 4064 with 100 grain bullets (Speer bullet listed). Maximum load generates 51,100 C.U.P. IMR 4064 isn't necessarily the best powder for your .243, but only gives up about 100 fps to any of the other conventional powders. I would certainly stay on the moderate side with your M99 for safety and wear and tear sake.

Hodgdons web site that now owns IMR Powder Co. drops IMR 4064 for any bullet over 100 grs and I too agree with SingleShotLover about the A-Max not being a good chice for big game. If the IMR 4064 is the powder you have settled on I personally would opt for the 95 gr.Nosler Partition for the 243. Load data abounds for this combo and has great reviews on many forums where pet loads are listed. The load data for these is from 33.0 grs. Min. to 36.5 grs. Max. with a top posted velocity of 2967 fps. The Partition will take care of deer sized game with good placed shots on any given day for you .

10 Spot

Buying a universal powder that works in all your guns will not give the best results in any of them !!!
The heaviest for caliber bullet isn’t a bad idea but, you have to buy the proper type of bullet !!! Deer bullets for the .243 range from 85 grain to 100 grain.
My advise to you is to start educating yourself before buying anything else.


Grumulkin, what 70 grain .224 bullet are you using ???

wow, that was fast! thank you for the responses.I think for now I'll take 10 SPOT's suggestion and use the Nosler to burn thru some of that powder. But sounds like to me i just need to go buy new box of bullets and bottle of powder and start over. what powder and bullet do you suggest for mule deer?
Also, the other calibers we own .270 (Rem 700 ADL) and .308 (Another Savage 99) Havent bought any bullets for them yet, is there a bullet that works well with the 4064 in either caliber (mule deer and elk) Thanks everyone for the help!

in the 308 cal i use imr 4064 and varget as powder and i shoot 165 grain bullets.barnes being my favorite because of the one shot kills with well placed shots. also use nosler ballistic tips &soft tips . i shoot the 243 7ooadl and use 100 gr round point and 95 gr. part. to take deer with. varmit al's handloading will give you some recipes and so will loadswap.com but buy yourself a good updated reloading manuel to be sure

Speer lists a 100/105gr load for 243in IMR 4064..start--30gr /2414 mv
max was 34 grs/2650mv.As stated the a-max bullets are for targets. the v-max is for varmints..Nosler list a 100gr bt using IMR 4064.start is 31.5gr/2598 mv...max was 35.5gr/2818mv. Of couse all rifles are diff. Would suggest start at the bottom then work up from there.I shoot nos 55gr btbt's out of my mauser in 243 at 3975mv..Hope this helps you..

Hornady SST bullets are designed for hunting deer sized critters.

A max means accuracy max. It is a well balanced bullet with accuracy, not tissue damage as the main priority. Your rifle probably has a 1n10 twist which may have trouble stablizing a 105 gn bullet. I would go with a 90-95 grain nosler ballistic tip, Hornandy SST, or Sierra game king. I never cared for speer.

thanks everyone! just found recipe from Sierra using 100gr bullet w/ the 4064. Their bullets were cheaper than the nolser so I'll use them untill I get a better feel for reloading then try upgrading to the Partition, let you know how it goes. Im always open for suggestions so feel free. thanks for all the help!

stick with the 85's for imr 4064 ,i have a 99 also but in 250-3000 and have found they like light fast bullets in them,and I get .161 with 75 vmaxes in mine the thing blows me away as i have some pricy guns and they don't shoot any better.them 99's are a solid action.

I agree with one poster. You are jumping off too early. You need to read a reloading manual that would explain all of this and also recommend a good bullet and powder combination. There are no universal powders. Some powders can be used in many calibers but usually only in a particular weight range so get away from the notion of one powder for everything, it just ain't so. That is why we take our bullet powder recommendations from reloading manuals.

Safety is the first rule of reloading and that can only be had with knowledge in reloading. Read, then re-read, those reloading manuals and if possible hook up with a local reloader that will let you sit down beside him to watch the process and learn a multitude of safe tricks not in the basic manuals. You will find these reloaders at your local gun shop leaning on the counter. The shop owner will point you to the right one that loads safely.