. 243 sako

[sionharris]

Just purchased an old .243 sako last month. Gettin 1" groups at 100yd and 3" @ 200yds.,3shot groups, groups open up afterwards as the barell heats up) It is very bullet fussy, so far it only likes 65grain v-max. cant do anything with,58,75gr or 55g nosler. Is 1" and 3"good for a light sporter? any tips on getting those groups down?

Consdering getting a varmint heavy fluated barell sako if it will shrink my groups.

 

[sewwhat89]

1) Make sure it is really clean.

2) Try some heavier bullets. Mine shoots 85-105s in sub 0.5 MOA groups most of the time.

 

[squirrelduster]

Did you do a ladder test and then group it with different seating depths?
I agree with the heavier bullet idea also. Check your twist rate and that will tell you what bullets to shoot or not shoot.
Remount your scope so you know it is tight and correct. Use some locktite so something doesn't vibrate loose.
Do a search on barrel cleaning - general consensus is that you don't want to clean your barrel too much.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[sionharris]

I have cleaned the barell. I clean it every 100rounds. The groups don't change much between those 100rounds. I think it has a 1:10 twist, according to the sako website.
I also have tried 105grain vlds which just went side ways. none hit the target at 100yrd, but at 25yrd you could see they were going sideways.
What does 'ladder test' mean?
checked the scope mounts, every thing seems nice and tite, havent had a chance to shoot yet.

 

[DazzH]

I have a finnlight 75 in .243,1/10), my hunting load is 45 grains N160 pushing a Berger 95gr VLD, they shoot very well but the 105 A-Max simply wont work in this barrel.

 

[tenring]

Those groups are fine to hunt deer with a sporter barrel. If it is all original Sako and in good shape, I would not change the barrel. To do so would cost you in value. Yes, its probably a 1-10" twist and should handle heavier bullets. Try slower powders, i.e. 4350 and 4831, RL22, etc.