22-243 middlestead

[Charlie-NY]

Just starting to play with my 22-243 (plain) that has been in the safe for 10 years. RE22 was the "go to" powder back then but moly coated bullets were popular too.

Has anyone tried IMR 7977? Should be more temperature stable than RE22 and should help prevent copper fouling too, or so they claim.

 

[scope eye]

Hey charlie no such thing as a plain 22-243 they are all awesome.

Mr Tennessee, you can't start worrying about that, find a load that works and enjoy it. You are firing off almost 50gr of powder into a 22 cal hole there is going to be some throat erosion, it is not the rifling that wears out it is the throat, the rifling is good for 5000 to 10000 rounds. It's the throat that gives up the ghost at around 1000, so all you have to do is "set it back" or re throat it that runs about $100.00 at a qualified gunsmith.

Dean

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I wish i knew of a gunsmith that would set back a barrel for $100

 

[scope eye]

The $100.00 is for a Savage or Remage. $150.00 for a Remington or the like. that is what I pay anyways.

Dean

 

[Charlie-NY]

I started with a 22-243AI which I really liked. But decided to change to the 22-243 Win. when it was time to set the barrel back. Just didn't want to turn necks & fireform cases any more.

The PA groundhogs didn't seem to notice the difference.

 

[TNShootist]

Do you guys neck size or FL size?

 

[scope eye]

I full length size I kinda have to, due to I load my brass like I am mad at it.

Dean

 

[daniel brothers]

necks only with a .251 bushing in my 22-243 AI

I believe these cases will last forever... had zero problems so far after a lot of loading 80gr amaxes to 3558 fps.

 

[Charlie-NY]

Generally, i just neck size but do have a regular FL die in case the brass fails to chamber smoothly.

When I shot the 22-243AI, I launched a 75gr A-Max (moly) bullet at 3,670 ft/sec. Accuracy and terminal performance were both exceptional.

 

[scope eye]

Nice

Dean

 

[fredo]

I fireform with RL-22, and run H1000 in my .22-243AI with moly 75Amaxs. They feed beautifully thru a Surgeon DBM from AICS mags.

For a goof, recently did a short ladder with the 75Amax & H4831sc, and it looks very promising. Accuracy & ES is exceptional, with no pressure where I stopped. Quickload shows H4831sc to be an optimal powder, along with RL-22. Time to throttle 'er up and see what all's left in the tank!

Any of these big .224s are wicked little demons & lots of fun to play with!

 

[TNShootist]

I would like to know the case dimensions for 22-243 win and 22-243 middlestead.
I have searched and found drawings but they are not consistent.I find different diagrams with differing dimensions.
I am waiting on dies and need to talk with the die maker after Christmas. Have sent fired cases to him but I am wondering if the dies can be made so that they will work when the barrel is set back as the reamer used to chamber it is now gone.I guess he will be able to tell me if the case is from a standard size reamer.

What would the length of the case when necked down to .224 but before fire forming be? Or I should ask what would the trimmed length be.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

You could also get a reamer made to match your fired cases so that when you set the barrel back your custom dies will still work?

Merry Christmas.

JCS

 

[TNShootist]

I bet that would work. Chances are I will have to get a reamer anyway. I am sure my smith does not have one.
Maybe that will be a while coming.

 

[scope eye]

My reamer is from PTG and my Dies are from CH4D, and they both to match up.

I will try and find it but I use to have a good article on Paul Middlestead's chambering, and 30 deg is the correct shoulder angle.

Dean

 

[Savageseven]

I fireform with RL-22, and run H1000 in my .22-243AI with moly 75Amaxs. They feed beautifully thru a Surgeon DBM from AICS mags.

For a goof, recently did a short ladder with the 75Amax & H4831sc, and it looks very promising. Accuracy & ES is exceptional, with no pressure where I stopped. Quickload shows H4831sc to be an optimal powder, along with RL-22. Time to throttle 'er up and see what all's left in the tank!

Any of these big .224s are wicked little demons & lots of fun to play with!

Im getting ready to start load development on my 22-243 middlestead and im going to run the 75 grain Hornady amax in a 1-8 twist.. do you suggest H4831sc will work great in this combo? OR SHOULD I GO WITH H1000 OR RETUMBO ? was really hoping to see 3650 fps out of my middlestead with 75 Amax