22-243 load development results.

[zr600]

Ok I got a load it's going 3550 75g amax stdevof 6.7 spread of 12fps at 100 yards it shot .445 at 200 yards it shot .958. Now I was very happy with the groups at 100 but was kind of surprised they opened up that much at 200 or am I expecting to much? Should I just load up some rounds and shoot it or work on the load more? What's your guys ideas on this? Also is there anybody around here that neck turns brass for money for people? Any help advice would be great.

 

[JBT47]

For neck turning:

djsbrass.com

 

[Zero333]

Need more info on everything you've done thus far developing the load.

Firearm details like barrel make / length / contour, stock/chassis, scope etc...

Load details...
Brass type, # of times fired, annealed ?, primers, powder, charge weight, coal, etc..

Did you test different seating depths ? Most of us test in 0.005" increments.

What is this rifle going to be used for ? For Varmint hunting 1/2 moa is great.

 

[Clancy]

+1 for DJ's.

Have you ran a full blown seating depth test at 100?

In any case, 1/2 MOA is pretty darn good for what I'm guessing is a varmint/predator rifle.

Is your brass virgin, once fired?

I see some great groups with new cases, but generally I shoot the best with cases that have been shot at least once and annealed- even more so with wildcats.

I think you're on the right track.

 

[zr600]

Well I made up 3 of the best previous loads and just changed seating depths and found one that shot 3 into a ragged hole with one about an .7" away at 200 yards and that one flier had the bullet pulled then reseated I marked it so I knew when I fired it. This was on new Winchester brass 75g amazes, fed 210m primers, h4831sc loaded just touching the lands. One other load was right at or just under moa, and the other was 1/2" moa. So I picked the best and am going to run with it.

 

[4xforfun]

HMMMM .445 x 2 = .890. You shot a .958. Are you saying that you can hold to .068 inch at 200? And is that one group each of .445 and .958 or a 5 group average?

 

[zr600]

At 100 yards 46.5 .015 off lands shot .445. At 200 same load shot .958. Now today I reshot the 46.5 touching the lands and it was still .9 some inches. Now 47.5 .015 of lands shot 1.9" at 200 yards. 47.5 touching the lands shot a ragged hole for 3 shots at 200 yards with one flier that was about .7" away but the bullet had been pulled from the brass and reseated on the flier shot I marked the brass to keep track of that. Does that make more sense? Hopefully that clears it up a little.

 

[Clancy]

In my opinion, you need bigger sample sizes.

For now, just pick a load and roll with it. Once all your brass has been fired and reprepped, start at the lands and shoot 6-8 shots at 100 yards every .005 until you get to .030 off. Something will certainly stand out.

Also, I'm sure you know this, but you may have to make a slight powder charge tweak on once fired brass.

 

[Zero333]

I concur with what Clancy said.

 

[rcparker1]

My 22/243 with 75gr amax bullets really started suffering at anything much over 3500 fps. You may try backing load down a little if you are going after accuracy. Ballistically 50 fps isn't getting you a lot. May just be my gun though

 

[4xforfun]

In my opinion, you need bigger sample sizes.

For now, just pick a load and roll with it. Once all your brass has been fired and reprepped, start at the lands and shoot 6-8 shots at 100 yards every .005 until you get to .030 off. Something will certainly stand out.

Also, I'm sure you know this, but you may have to make a slight powder charge tweak on once fired brass.

Agree with most, but NEVER load "at the lands"!! There is enough run-out in the bullet combined with the run-out in your press to make this a grouping disaster. Let's assume a .002 run-out in your loaded round (at the ojive). You may then be .001 in or .001 out. A .002 difference when you are ten in or out (or more) is no big thing, but .001 IN vs .001 OUT is HUGE. The difference in the PSI curve between .001 in and out could be quite large, and would make any kind of decent ES and groups harder to achieve.

just my .02,
Tod

 

[Clancy]

You know come to think of it I haven't had much luck at the lands, that's probably why.

 

[4xforfun]

You know come to think of it I haven't had much luck at the lands, that's probably why.

Yep... a couple thow one way or the other when you are 20 in or out is no big deal, but when you are at 00.000 it is huge.

Good luck, Tod

 

[JBT47]

Agree with most, but NEVER load "at the lands"!! There is enough run-out in the bullet combined with the run-out in your press to make this a grouping disaster. Let's assume a .002 run-out in your loaded round (at the ojive). You may then be .001 in or .001 out. A .002 difference when you are ten in or out (or more) is no big thing, but .001 IN vs .001 OUT is HUGE. The difference in the PSI curve between .001 in and out could be quite large, and would make any kind of decent ES and groups harder to achieve.

just my .02,
Tod

Glad you posted this Tod...I've never thought of that.

 

[4xforfun]

Glad you posted this Tod...I've never thought of that.

I'd like to claim is my own, but I am pretty sure it is wisdom gained off of this form and then tested!!!

 

[headhunter1111]

My .22CHeetah likes BR primers, and I would follow Berger bullets recommended method for determining seating depths for secant ogive bullets. They are picky. 80gr Amax liked to be jumped .020 and a 300 yard ladder test ended up being a 3" group rather than yielding any measurable results (next time I will do a 600 yd ladder. Live and learn) still pretty wild to shoot 1moa with 5gr range in powder charge weights.
Also I should add, if your fire-forming loads shoot half MOA you shouldn't worry about trying to split hairs. Do your real development with fire formed brass, consider them separate. A safe load in already formed brass could be too much pressure in new brass (reduced case capacity). I use cheap bullets and use my forming loads as "plinking rounds"