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243 Ackley

Does anyone have a potent load for the 243 Ackley using Win 748 powder and the Sierra 85 gr HPBT bullet? My rifle like 748 and I'm using 37.8 gr but I'm only getting 3000 fps. I was hoping for 3200 - 3300. No pressure signs yet. Has anyone traveled this road and have some suggestions?
 
Use 2209 or 2213SC. Use this for our 75 Sako 243 with 85gr Sierra. Like you say ...very small groups. A slower burning powder would be better.
 
Perhaps it would also like W760? What other powders have you tried? I have had great results w/ Reloader 17 in my .243...
 
You're right, Ive hit the right powder. I just want to get the velocity up and was wondering if anyone has already done this with 748 and just how far they were able to go before high pressure signs. I've used the following powder in my load development with this bullet:
H-100V
H-4350
H4831sc
H-414/760
H-380
Varget
H-4895
BL-C2
748

748 printed one hole groups but velocity was only 3000 fps. I'd like to get this up to 3200 or 3300
H-380 groups were .1" larger than the 748 groups and velocity was the same.
All others printed groups 2" or more.
I'm also looking for find a dealer in my area that handles VV powders to try those as well.
Historically, this rifle prefers the faster burning powders. With Hornady 100 gr SBT's it loves 35.5 gr of IMR 3031 printing one hole groups, and with 70 gr bullets it likes H-414.
I was hoping someone had already developed similar loads with this powder and could share their info giving me a good idea just how far I can go. It looks like I'll have to work them up a few tenths at a time until pressure signs start to show up. Thanks guys!!
 
SBK,

It is obvious that the load that you have worked up is really great at 100 yards but have you tried it at greater distances? Before I settle on a load, I stretch its legs to see if I can depend on it to give me the same accuracy at greater distances.

I would think that the actual chamber dimensions and length of the throat have a lot to do with signs of pressure showing up on the low end of the powder weight charge. If you start to increase the charge weight and run into pressure problems, the bullet may be too close to the lands thus creating greater pressures. I have one rifle in particular that I am able to load far greater charge weights with no pressure signs. (3970 fps out of a 300 RUM). Long throat, 32 inch barrel and 155 bergers... I hate to even type this in, as I always get skeptics saying NO WAY!

I would say just continue the way you are planning to do, just add a tenth at the time on test loads til you find your max. Also you may be running into a wall, meaning the bullet just won't fly any faster out of your rifle. I believe that every rifle has a maximum velocity that a specific bullet will travel out the muzzle because of chamber dimensions, throat lenght, barrle length, type of brass, powder and primer. If you factor all this together there is a maximum FPS number for that particular bullet.

This is just my opinion, and I wish you the best in looking for your load, BK.
 
I am curious where you got the starting data for ww 748 in .243 or .243AI in the first place.I cant find it being used in either cartridge.
 
I have gotten 3100 using ww760 / h414 with 85 ~ 87 grain bullets in several standard .243 winchester's. I actually shoot a .243 AI but only shoot 105's out of it (w/ Re22). I would think H414 just might get you the velocity you're looking for. . .

Good luck!
 
QuickLOAD shows that load as 42.5 KSI and 3012 fps from a 24" barrel. I think you can probably go up a bit more. Proceed cautiously and be safe.
 
Jon,
I got the load from Hodgdon. They said Parker Ackley always recommended starting by adding 5% to to what the loading manual says and work up from there. Sierras manual list 36.0 gr of 748 as the max.
36.0 x .05 = 1.8 gr + 36 = 37.8 gr
This load is showing signs of low pressure so I am going to start working it up.
For the same reasons, I am also going to work up loads using H-414 since it has shot well in the past. It also showed signs of low pressure. I hope groups get better as the pressures get up to where they should be. I hope to be able to fire them next weekend.
 
SeabeeKen said:
Jon,
I got the load from Hodgdon. They said Parker Ackley always recommended starting by adding 5% to to what the loading manual says and work up from there. Sierras manual list 36.0 gr of 748 as the max.
36.0 x .05 = 1.8 gr + 36 = 37.8 gr
This load is showing signs of low pressure so I am going to start working it up.
For the same reasons, I am also going to work up loads using H-414 since it has shot well in the past. It also showed signs of low pressure. I hope groups get better as the pressures get up to where they should be. I hope to be able to fire them next weekend.

In one of your other post you mention what bullets rifle liked "Historically, this rifle prefers the faster burning powders. With Hornady 100 gr SBT's it loves 35.5 gr of IMR 3031 printing one hole groups, and with 70 gr bullets it likes H-414." and I assume it was a 243 before new chamber cut. Have you tried those bullets/powders and compared velocity to the 243AI?
 
Bugs said:
I have gotten 3100 using ww760 / h414 with 85 ~ 87 grain bullets in several standard .243 winchester's. I actually shoot a .243 AI but only shoot 105's out of it (w/ Re22). I would think H414 just might get you the velocity you're looking for. . .

Good luck!

I'm not sure I understand why but just went through a similar experience with a 260 AI and discovered what it likes by reading an article written by Terry Cross. He used slower powders in his 260 AI's and they certainly worked for him. I put up the H414, Varget, 3031 and all those other powders that work well in the 308 case and went to the slower powders and the rifle woke up. It really likes H4831 SC and about 20 thousanths jump on all boattail bullets. The velocity is there and the accuracy is outstanding. It seems that this case, when ackleyized, starts behaving more like a case in the 06 capacities would. Go figure. This agrees with Bugs experience using the RL22.
 
I do intend to try N140 and N160 as soon as I can get some. I've heard good things about them both. I may try the N150 also. I cant explain the rifle. I have tested it with most of the IMR, Hodgdon, & Winchester powders and it prefers 35.5 gr of IMR 3031 with 100 gr bullets and W 748 with the 85 gr. So far, with all of the slower powders it shoots groups 3+".
Next round of testing coming up soon.
 
I really hope something works out for you. You must have just spent a quarter of a new barrel cost on VV powder!
 

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