243 hunting load node

[PD Gohil]

Rifle is a basic Savage axis 22" barrel all factory.
243 win.

Load:
1x FC brass from this rifle
Fed 210
RL 16
100g partitions seated .020 off the lands

Seems to be 2 nodes
one at the 41.1-41.7 range
One at the 42.3-42.6 range.

The lower node is slower, but tighter group
Slight bolt swipe @ the upper. Slightly larger group.

For hunting out to 400 yards, what's the better load?

Thanks in advance
PD Gohil
WV

 

[drop_point]

I would work between 41.4 and 41.7, maybe shoot a couple groups with another weight in between. Then start working on seating depth.

 

[wbm]

Are these 100 yard groups?

 

[PD Gohil]

200 yard groups.

 

[JFrank]

If you load between 5 & 6 your rounds will continue to impact that same point of aim. 7 starts to go away

 

[Webster]

I would expect smaller spread. I shoot a Rem 700 6BR. Norma. If you shot bigger groups it might look completely different. Looks like one load had 2 holes close to each other. I would shoot what looks like the best load with 2 or 3 5 shot groups and see what it looks like. Shooter skills and bench set up might be a big part of the group size. They have to contribute a part to the group size. You are assuming the group size is only due to the load and not related in any way to shooter skill. or bench set up. I have been shooting GH varmint rifles off a bench for 50 years and I have a good idea of what I am capable of when it contributes to group size. 90% of the bullets I use are not good enough to get consistent under about .350” groups. Recently I found that the 60 gr Sierra Varminter was better than any other bullet I shot for almost 45 years. It allowed me to approach .250” groups much more consistently. I don’t consider my self an exceptional shooter but after 2 years of shooting I was shooting groups with a 7mm Rem mag you could cover with a quarter. I only shoot 5 shot groups and replace barrels after 3-4 thou shots.

You have loads that are only a small charge difference with a big change in POI and space between the 2 shots???

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I would expect smaller spread. I shoot a Rem 700 6BR. Norma. If you shot bigger groups it might look completely different. Looks like one load had 2 holes close to each other. I would shoot what looks like the best load with 2 or 3 5 shot groups and see what it looks like. Shooter skills and bench set up might be a big part of the group size. They have to contribute a part to the group size. You are assuming the group size is only due to the load and not related in any way to shooter skill. or bench set up. I have been shooting GH varmint rifles off a bench for 50 years and I have a good idea of what I am capable of when it contributes to group size. 90% of the bullets I use are not good enough to get consistent under about .350” groups. Recently I found that the 60 gr Sierra Varminter was better than any other bullet I shot for almost 45 years. It allowed me to approach .250” groups much more consistently. I don’t consider my self an exceptional shooter but after 2 years of shooting I was shooting groups with a 7mm Rem mag you could cover with a quarter. I only shoot 5 shot groups and replace barrels after 3-4 thou shots.

You have loads that are only a small charge difference with a big change in POI and space between the 2 shots???

That’s interesting about your results with the Sierra Varminteer. What twist is your 6br Norma for these bullets?

 

[Webster]

That’s interesting about your results with the Sierra Varminteer. What twist is your 6br Norma for these bullets?

14 tw Kreiger barrel. 33.3 gr 8208 about 0.010" jump.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

14 tw Kreiger barrel. 33.3 gr 8208 about 0.010" jump.

Thanks , I have been seeing others going this route or even a twelve twist with these type bullets.

 

[PD Gohil]

Final update:

41.5g RL-16 seems to work really well. Going to shooting 1/2 MOA @ 2986 with a SD of 8. I'm extremely pleased with these results.

 

[PD Gohil]

Pic

 

[dfrosch]

Nice group. Even better coming from a stock hunting rifle.

Partitions do not have the greatest BC. If you're going to hunt to 400 yards with that load, you might want to see how it acts on paper at that range.

 

[wildcatter]

I wouldn't change anything, for hunting out to 400 yards in 6mm using a 100 grain partition,,, 1/2 moa,,, @3000 ish, that is a load you would probably wear the barrel out trying to improve on. It uses an excellent hunting bullet, you don't need a target bullet, and wont find one better suited to short and extremes range that will give you better all round terminal performance at all distances.

Far to many confuse target accuracy and ballistics with hunting accuracy and terminal ballistics.

 

[PD Gohil]

I've been reloading for 2 years now but still consider myself an extreme novice. This is the best I have come up with so far. And with the least amount of component expenditure. I'm very pleased with it and I I'm excited to see how it performs on game this fall. Biggest problem we have here in West Virginia is finding a place to target practice more than a few hundred yards. Occasionally you do get some shots at game out to 400 but that's about it. As soon as I get the opportunity I will be verifying the drop and group sizing at 400.