more .243 info needed...HELP

[BgBmBoo]

Ok...so I have been playing around with some Berger 115 VLD's in my 1:7.5 .243 Win.

I found a load that shoots REALLY good....but on paper it seems pretty slow. I just got my chronograph in today so if it stops raining I will go try it out.

Anyways....the load I am using is 41.9 of RL-22. With this load "book data" says I am about 2700+ FPS. From what I see online, most people are pushing the 115's to 2900-3000fps.

I went all the way up to 44.0grns (max load) and the groups opened up.

I am wondering if using say Ratumbo or something like that would help with accuracy at a higher charge?

I am looking for a 1000yrd load here. I also have some 107 SMK's, 105 Scenars, 105 Amax, and 115 DTAC's.

My main issue is lack of variety of powder.

Any help would be great.

Take care,Stan

 

[JC Steel]

Re: more .243 info needed...HELP

Stan is it a regular .243 or .243AI??? Alot of these guys are you the AI to get up to 2950FPS. I am shooting my .243 with 107SMK and 105 bergers at about 2890-2900 at the top end. I dont want to do anything to dangerous so I stopped there. Good Luck and let me know how it goes.

Jake

 

[JRose]

Re: more .243 info needed...HELP

H4350, RL25, N560


115 DTACS!!!

 

[JRose]

Re: more .243 info needed...HELP

My rifle gets a tick under 3000fps with 47.5 gr of RL25, and previous owner had good results with 42gr of 4350.

Hope this helps.





EDIT: Also getting good results with RL17, I have a thread in the depot section on it...

 

[sawgunner2001]

Re: more .243 info needed...HELP

Stan,

Any pressure signs at 44.0gr of Re22? If not, keep going in 0.5gr increments until the groups tighten back up or you see pressure signs. Then STOP!! And back off a lil bit. Then take the best group of those charge weights (if any are remotely acceptable to you) and start to vary your seating depth.

Thats the best advice I can give short of trying a different powder. I'm not done with my accuracy testing yet, but Re25 is getting me great velocities with 107's with a full case of powder (maybe slightly compressed).

 

[BgBmBoo]

Re: more .243 info needed...HELP

At 44.0 I am getting just the slightest bit of shiny mark from the extractor...so I think that is about it.

I have some IMR-4350 on the way...will play with that a bit. I have heard that Retumbo works well with the 115's as well and there is some of that in stock at a local store.

Take care,Stan

 

[sawgunner2001]

Re: more .243 info needed...HELP

As long as you've got 26"+ for barrel length, I think that you will achieve with Retumbo what I did with Re25. Nice, slow burning powder that really takes advantage of the full length of the barrel and gets those big heavies moving in the 6mm's. Another plus for the slower powder is that it is a little easier on the throat. At least that's what I've read from time to time.

Good Luck

 

[desertHK]

Re: more .243 info needed...HELP

Stan FWIW, I find the Retumbo takes more powder grains, but gives less velocity than RL 22, or 25. Now, I have never tried it with the 115 grains, but I have tried it with the 105 AMAAX, and scenars.

I also observe the same thing with my 338 LM and 300 Win Mag calibers. Now, Vitahvouri 550, 0r 560 is not a bad powder at all. With N560, it pushes the 105 scenars at around 3000 fps.

 

[GUNNER75]

Re: more .243 info needed...HELP

This is some testing data I came up with shooting my 28" Bartlien, 8 twist, Heavy Palma.

107gr SMK 2755 avg 36.5gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.85
107gr SMK 2766 avg 37gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.85
107gr SMK 2778 avg 37.5gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.85
107gr SMK 2835 avg 38gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.85

4/8/2008 ???
115gr BN 2854 avg 45gr H1000 F210M 2.035 2.86
115gr BN 2888 avg 45.5gr H1000 F210M 2.035 2.86
115gr BN 2912 avg 46gr H1000 F210M 2.035 2.86
9/22/2008 Swongers
115gr BN 2832 avg 46gr H1000 F210M 2.035 2.86
115gr BN 2891 avg 46.5 gr H1000 F210M 2.035 2.86
115gr BN 2876 avg 47gr H1000 F210M 2.035 2.86


H1000 was suggested as a primary powder when using the (BN) 115DTAC's. Starting at 46gr. This was suggested by "the" .243 man himself.

I stepped back and ran the 107's because it shot so well with 38gr of H4350. (My Chrony was acting up and didn't see the need for speed plus wanted a bit more barrel life at the time).

I am going to continue on with the H1000 and DTAC testing shortly.

Out to 500M the 107's really do everything I need it to do even at the 2835fps avg. I am running two different .243's and basiclly the same barrel. I am going to push one and see what I come up with in both the H4350 107's and H1000 115DTAC's.

I was hoping to get 2950 easily out of the 107's and at least 2925 if not 2950 out of the DTAC's. Just need to push on and see what I come up with.

 

[DocB]

Re: more .243 info needed...HELP

Boo,

Started out with N-170 and the 107 class bullets about 9 years ago, eventually moved on to the N-560 or N-165 with the 115's when they became available. I've stuck with the N-560 for either weight class, due to the more complete combustion. Accuracy nodes kicked in between 2950f/s and 3150f/s depending upon barrel length.

HTH,
DocB

 

[BgBmBoo]

Re: more .243 info needed...HELP

Thanks guys.
I forgot to mention that I have a 26" barrel. I got my chronograph yesterday so if I have time I will put some loads together and hit the range to see just where the speeds are. I will be shooting in a 1000yrd match next weekend and plan on trying the 115 VLD's at the current "best group load" and just what they do. If I don't need the extra speed, then I will run with what is working.

Take care,Stan

 

[Nocalphoenix]

Re: more .243 info needed...HELP

Stan where are you shooting 1000 up there? Im always traveling thorugh Cali and looking for places to shoot on my downtime.