22-243

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andym79

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Hi I recently got a 22-243, with a 1:8 barrel, I have lots of 77gr smk and so plan on shoot them. As its a wildcat of limited load data I am not really sure of a load.

I am thinking of starting at 37 grains of H4350 and slowly working up, I would really like to hear from anyone who has a 22-243 and what they shoot in it.

Thanks Andy
 
I recall an article on the 22-243 in either Gun Digest or Handloader Digest in the last century. I do not have it in my library anymore but it might be available on line.

I remember think at the time it was very similar to the 22-250. Check case capacities of the two. Reloading recipes might be usable.

Kevin
 
Good suggestion StrawHat, the 22-240 is 43 gr, 22-250AI 47gr and the 22-243 is 50gr h20. So the 22-243 is a bit bigger and a load good for the 22-250 shouldn't cause an over pressure in the larger case.
 
Thanks MistWolf, I didn't know that 22 Cheetah sounds a lot more catchy than 22-243, doesn't it!
 
MistWolf said:
Look for loading data for the 22 Cheetah. It's a 308 necked down 22
Click to expand...
While .22CHeetah cases can be formed from .243 brass, the finished products are somewhat different and max loading data is not interchangeable. After fire-forming, the CHeetah has a more blown-out shoulder and sharper shoulder angle than standard .22/243, and about 6 grs more water capacity.
 
Might be flawed logic but I am thinking I might be able to find load data this way.

77grain / 224 x 243 = 83 so round up to 85-90 grain look at 243 data and use minimum loads for the 243 e.g. H4350 37 grains and go from there or use 22-250 data and slowly work up.
 
andym79 said:
Might be flawed logic but I am thinking I might be able to find load data this way.

77grain / 224 x 243 = 83 so round up to 85-90 grain look at 243 data and use minimum loads for the 243 e.g. H4350 37 grains and go from there or use 22-250 data and slowly work up.
Click to expand...
You would be much safer starting with 220 Swift data.
Starting with a larger bore diameter and stepping down increases pressure dramatically. Compare 7-08 and 308 data with the same powder. There is such a difference that it would be insane to interchange them.
 
andym79 said:
Might be flawed logic but I am thinking I might be able to find load data this way.

77grain / 224 x 243 = 83 so round up to 85-90 grain look at 243 data and use minimum loads for the 243 e.g. H4350 37 grains and go from there or use 22-250 data and slowly work up.
Click to expand...
OK I have to be THAT guy, is this winchester or middlestead?

Eta, regardless, I'd strongly suggest looking at .223 wssm data
 
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Bfh_auto said:
You would be much safer starting with 220 Swift data.
Starting with a larger bore diameter and stepping down increases pressure dramatically. Compare 7-08 and 308 data with the same powder. There is such a difference that it would be insane to interchange them.
Click to expand...

I think I will use 220 Swift as a start point the case is 47gr vs 50 so those loads should be close.
 
I haven't shot any 4350 loads yet.

I measured the water capacity and its not 50grs as listed but 54grs.

I loaded up a case with 37 grains of 4350 and with the bullet in, it sounded like a maraca, I pulled that bullet and loaded no more. 4350 is too slow of a power to load down. I am going to slowly work up varget loads and work out a minimum load for 4350.

I would estimate 37 grains only filled the case by about 80%. I am not saying its a safe load but it could physically take 45-46 grains with the bullet seated and no compression. I am obviously not going to try a 46 grain load, quickload says a maximum load is 44.
 
andym79 said:
I haven't shot any 4350 loads yet.

I measured the water capacity and its not 50grs as listed but 54grs.

I loaded up a case with 37 grains of 4350 and with the bullet in, it sounded like a maraca, I pulled that bullet and loaded no more. 4350 is too slow of a power to load down. I am going to slowly work up varget loads and work out a minimum load for 4350.

I would estimate 37 grains only filled the case by about 80%. I am not saying its a safe load but it could physically take 45-46 grains with the bullet seated and no compression. I am obviously not going to try a 46 grain load, quickload says a maximum load is 44.
Click to expand...
What if you started with h4895. Since it's safe to reduce, you could get a sound base line and work on other powders from there. It would give you a reference for quick load to see how accurate the predictions are in your setup.
 
I'm just curious. What max pressure are you modeling on in QuickLoad? My copy shows 65,000 Pmax for the 22-243.
 
My copy says 65000 too.

It was a 308 so I ammended it to 62000 to match the 308.

I don't know what the strength of a Savage 99 is versus say a Remington 700, but I figured if it was built for a 308 then if I keep loads below 60000 it should be okay.

As I don't want to load too light with 4350. I am going to work loads up with 4895 then varget and after that 4350
 
Went to the range today rifle did pretty well nothing fantastic but I wasn't shooting for groups, I was pushing velocity with only a single shot per load it was grouping ok. Plus I was only shooting with peep sights on my 99.

I am going to put a Leopold 3-9x40 on it to see what it can really do.

All the loads above loads showed no signs of pressure problems.

I think you could probably go a bit hotter, I have read of 43-44 grains of 4350.

Anyway hit velocity of 3260 with 4350 and my 77smk. Did some 55vmax work them faster till it hit 3800fps and a vmax came apart in a blue puff. I think the 7.7 twist is too fast for that speed and 3200 with the smk is a more sensible option. If it was a 10 twist it would be beautiful with 55vmax.

Recoil no problem gee it was loud though. It looks like its going to reach out no problem.
 
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