.243 Load info

[biblefreak]

It seems most posts concern how to get the highest velocity out of a particular gun, usually in a hunting scenario which makes sense. I am looking to be more accurate on paper so ft. lbs of energy is not going to be nearly as big of a deal. Now I know the .243 already has minimal recoil, but what I am looking for specifically is some of your pet loads that are not maximum velocity blasters, but soft AND accurate shooter for a 22" bbl, 1 in 9.25" twist gun. What powders/bullets are the best "bang" for the buck? Is there a noticeable difference in accuracy potential amongst the various brass manufacturers?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Galil5.56]

Some rifles, like my 1:10 .243 heavy varmint rifle shoot most accurately at top velocities/high load density. My rifle also greatly prefers propellants in the 4350-4831 burning rate, with H4350 and H414 producing excellent accuracy and very good velocity using Hornady and Sierra 75 grain bullets. Use of mag primers is a must in my experience using H414/WW760 to keep flyers away. I have also had good accuracy with the Nosler 55 grain Ballistic Tips driven to 4000+ fps... Hits on Crows literally look like a puffs of black smoke.

 

[biblefreak]

Primers are another question. Has anybody else had good luck with magnum vs. standard primers? I can cut my initial primer cost in half as I have a buddy wanting to split a box of primers but he needs mags!

It would seem to me that mag primers would lend to better accuracy in rifle cartridges due to the powder burning more evenly with a larger/hotter primer ignition.

 

[243winxb]

IMR 4350, CCI BR2 primers. Berger Bullets 70 to 90GR.. Winchester brass, sorted by weight. Neck turned. Flash hole uniformed. FLRS with Redding Type-S Bushing dies. Size only 1/2 of the neck.

 

[tango2echo]

41gr H414
Hornady 95gr SST
CCI Mag 250 primer

Shoots less than .5MOA in two Savage rifles I own and I've killed deer instantly out to 280yrds with it.

t2e

 

[dakotasin]

i've done pretty extensive primer testing w/ a 243 and found primers don't make much difference in my rifle (rem m7).

 

[ranger335v]

"It seems most posts concern how to get the highest velocity out of a particular gun,... I am looking to be more accurate on paper... I know the .243 already has minimal recoil, but what I am looking for specifically is some of your pet loads that are not maximum velocity blasters, but soft AND accurate shooter "

Gun powders burn most consistantly inside a fairly narrow pressure range. Obtaining that with a proper powder with a specific bullet weight usually requires the charge be heavy enough to reach "normal" max pressures. Thus, obtaining best accuracy quite often DOES require top velocities.

To achieve reduced speeds and good accuracy requires usually requires a faster than normal burn rate. It's largely a myth that we can achieve good accuracy at significantly reduced charges of the normally used powders in much of anything.

NO one can honestly tell you how to accomplish what you wish, for accuracy or speed. Experiment with powders faster than normal for your choice of bullet weights in YOUR rifle.

 

[biblefreak]

41gr H414
Hornady 95gr SST
CCI Mag 250 primer

Shoots less than .5MOA in two Savage rifles I own and I've killed deer instantly out to 280yrds with it.

t2e

What are the specs on your Savages? Any modifications, factory barrel? I have read several places that the ideal bullet weight for a .243 is 87gr, so I was going to start around 75gr and work up to 100gr and find the sweet spot. If I am understanding correctly, shooting the heavier bullet weights will also reduce bbl wear, is this accurate?

 

[jpwilly]

Read this http://gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/.243+Varmint+Loads

A number of loads are listed.

 

[biblefreak]

Great little article. Thanks for sharing.

 

[plateshooter]

I liked that article too. Thanks for the link.

 

[Ky Larry]

My Savage Model 12BVSS in .243 likes:

58gr Hornady V-Max bullet
47.0gr IMR-4007 SSC
Win LR Primer
Win cases
C.O.L. 2.64


55gr Sierra BK
40.7gr AA-4064
Win LR Primer
Win cases
C.O.L. 2.64

Barrel twist rate is 1 in 9.25

 

[tango2echo]

Biblefreak: The two rifles I mentioned above are as follows;

1) Savage 110E with piller bed mod and free floated stock. Lapped lugs, Timney Trigger, Nikon glass. Basically a stock hunting rifle with a few mods that cost less than $800 total. (This gun is 1 in 10 twist from the late 1970's)
2) Savage 10 Predator. Stock accutrigger (adjusted), original stock (slight bedding mods need). Action was blueprinted, lapped, and trued ($240). Custom made one-piece mount & rings ($120). Original barrel but recrowned ($40) Nikon glass. $680 for the gun, $240 for the glass, $400 for the gunsmithing. (1 in 9.25 twist)

I load alot of 90-95-100-105 grain bullets in the .243 for long range paper punching and deer hunting out to 300 yards. I find that most factory barrels will last about 5000 rounds before the groups start to widen. Really hot loads may cause throat wear, but I have never seen it. I have found that Hornady SST 95gr to be as accurate as many match grade bullets costing much more.

T2E

 

[mbkmkk]

I understand everyone pushing the idea of slower powders and top velocities, but I have yet to have a slower powder be more accurate then a medium range powder. In the 243 Win, I like IMR 4064 and RL-15 with 95 gr. Nosler BT and a 100 gr. Sierra Spitzer. The Nosler has a B.C. of .379 and the Spitzer has a B.C. of .430.

Just my .02

 

[biblefreak]

What kind of groups are you getting with the medium range powder/heavy bullet combo?

 

[mbkmkk]

RL-15 95gr. Nosler .614 inch, 5-shot.

IMR-4064 95. Nosler .821 inch, 5-shot.

The 243 WSSM AR shoots better groups then that with the same powders.