243 Prairie Dog loads 75/87 gr V-Max
- Thread starter IA_shooter
- Start date
Idaho: the 87 bergers have performed well on paper- I will try them on whietail- and they will be my go to coyote round. Zero’d at 100 puts me - 1.0” at 200 and just shy of - 5.0” at 300. I should suggest you give the Sierra 90 Gr TGK game changers a try, they’re relatively cheap up here i Canada at least $22 per 50, the bergers run me $26 per 50. The sierras look good ballistics wise- have to see if they group- I built my rifle on a short action and should have used a long action- it’s a mag fed hunting rifle and I think I’ll have to jump the sierra’s about .060”
Next one will be a long action.
Ave
@ Plum,..
I have read great things about the 87 Berger Hunting VLD's as to repeatable, group accuracy, unfortunately they are currently hard to find here locally and about $15. a 100 more expensive than, the Hornady's but, I will try them this Summer just to see how "good" they really shoot in a Tikka. Please let us know how the Sierra TGK's work for you.
I have read great things about the 87 Berger Hunting VLD's as to repeatable, group accuracy, unfortunately they are currently hard to find here locally and about $15. a 100 more expensive than, the Hornady's but, I will try them this Summer just to see how "good" they really shoot in a Tikka. Please let us know how the Sierra TGK's work for you.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
760 was my goto powder in 22-250. Best velocity and accuracy at the time. Great for loading in a progressive for a pdog hunt too. No need to weigh every charge.
We found that everything improved substantially when we switched to a mag primer. We were using Federal at the time.
I like n160 better but you have to weigh every charge.
We found that everything improved substantially when we switched to a mag primer. We were using Federal at the time.
I like n160 better but you have to weigh every charge.
I am currently loading Vhit. N-160 test loads with, the 87 V-Max, for my .243 Tikka and was wondering what COAL, are you guys are using to get a good portion of the Bearing surface of this bullet, fully in the Neck ??
I'm at 2.685" now and I think that, is using ALL of, the "Bearing surface" that's possible, in the Neck ! My calulations show, about .250 of the bearing surface, in the Neck, with the bottom of, the Boat Tail now, just below the N/S junction. I believe the Hornady book, calls for a 2.640 COAL which seats the Bullet too far, into the case, IMO Thought's,.. anyone ???
I'm at 2.685" now and I think that, is using ALL of, the "Bearing surface" that's possible, in the Neck ! My calulations show, about .250 of the bearing surface, in the Neck, with the bottom of, the Boat Tail now, just below the N/S junction. I believe the Hornady book, calls for a 2.640 COAL which seats the Bullet too far, into the case, IMO Thought's,.. anyone ???
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
Jump 20-30 thou from touch.
OK thanks, do you know how much bullet is IN the Neck of your load ? The Tikka's have long Throat's so jump, is not an issue (usually).
I noticed that, a couple of guys were at 2.660 COAL and some were at, 2.700- 2.730 COAL and the loads shot "well" in Tikka's. I like the bullet "held" as fully as possible,.. by the Neck.
I noticed that, a couple of guys were at 2.660 COAL and some were at, 2.700- 2.730 COAL and the loads shot "well" in Tikka's. I like the bullet "held" as fully as possible,.. by the Neck.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
I am sure it is fine. You might try a flatback also. The Sierra blitz 80 is another good one.
I have the 80 grain Sierra Blitz's #1515, to try, too. But, am hoping for, the higher BC, 87 V-max to "work" as my "primary load" for Coyotes to 500- 600 yards and Steel Plates, to 700- 800 yards for,.. FUN. I think, Sierra makes an 85 grain flat base ( #1520) still that would work if, I have problems with the 2 Boat tail, loads. There's also the FINE 88 gr Berger's FB's.I am currently waiting for the cold WIND, to die down, so I can test these loads ! I usually cut a slot, in the Neck of one Case, to "see" Bullet depth ( but I'm getting cheap, in my old age,..LOL !) Thanks, for your info !
Today, I got to try my New ( it was actually built, in 2010 per the stamp on Box, end ) Tikka T3, SS, Lite in .243 Win. I shot a starting load of, 42.0 of, N-160 , 87 V-Max, CCI #200 prs, 2.685 COAL (.250 of bullet, in Neck) in New Rem Brass and obtained a .715 Ctr to Ctr, 4 shot group and a .390 Ctr to Ctr , 3 shot group with, the Factory Trigger pull of about,.. 4 Pounds, YUCK !!! But I don't touch ( aka modify) NEW rifles, til' I TEST shoot them, first ! The gun comes apart next week, for; a YoDave Trigger Spring, a Steel recoil lug (glassed in) plus the bbl Shank glass bedded/ check Free Float, etc. and a lil' more JB's down, the bore, then, it should be,.. awesome, IMO ! Thanks, Urbanrifleman, for recommending the Vhit N-160 ( yes, a pleasure to,.."SHOOT" ! ) I look forward to going, up to about 44 Grains with, this bullet/powder combo, in 1/2 grain increments of course ! Even the Factory Winchester, flat base, 80 grain SP, shot around, the 1/2" mark for a 3 shot group ! The Gun must like, flat based bullets, too !
Last edited:
Try some rl16. Works good in my Cooper with the same bullits
Dug up the half box of 87gr VMaxs and tried this today. My node was at 42.3gr of H4350. Laser beams. Awesome load. 3240fps in my Howa. Thanks for the suggestion!!!
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
The upper node will be closer to 46 grains with n160.
After I Glass Bed the Recoil lug/ bbl shank area and replace the Trigger Spring, I will resume testing and increase, the Powder charge, a tad but, the N-160 and the 87 V-Max show, great "promise" ! I am after, good groups and "cold Bore" POI, repeatablity so, getting top velocity, is not that important to me. I want, good barrel, "life" as, this Rifle really "shoots" and I know that,.. 3,000-3,100 FPS, will kill Coyotes,.. plenty dead ! Since I "Dial" with a custom Tape on my Scope, for shots past 300 yards, tip top velocity, means nothing to me.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
Yes you might find the lower node to be better. I plan on using the lower node with 108s. Better for the barrel.
AGREED ! I am looking at, somewhere between 42-44 grains for a "best" load, with 87-90 gr bullets! I chose, to go with a New Tikka T3, in .243 Win cal vs a New Barrel for my Rem 700 in 6XC chambering. By shooting light bullets of 75-80 gr's at the lower velocity "accuracy Nodes" with H4895, AND the 87-90's with, N-160 and by keeping the Barrel "COOL", hoping to get, descent bbl life out of the .243 ! I can re-barrel to 6XC or 6mmSLR,.. later. I just like, the Tikka's action & barrels, this is,.. my 2nd Tikka T3 !
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
It's a good plan. And one that more people should do. But for some reason people seem to only want to shoot the very highest nose in every caliber.
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
forty four to forty five grains of aa twenty seven hundred with a seventy grain speer tnt or nosler ballistic tip will give very fine accuracy and long barrel life.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.