243 twist rate question

[geneinnc]

Help please. I just got a new Remington 700 VLS,in 234 Winchester, laminated stock, heavy barrel. This is going to be a Stock Class 300 Yard Benchrest Rifle, with a Leupold VX III 6.5 x 20 Target Scope mounted. It will get some bean field hunting, with a solid shooting bench.

Question 1:If I remember correctly the 9 1/4" twist is for 100 gr bullets?[/B]
I have been loading 95 grains Ballistic Tips for a friend that bought my dad's Browning A Bolt Synthetic Stalker in 243 win.
Between the 2 of them, that little mountain rifle has taken 27 deer,27th was yesterday). He's still using the load I worked up for that gun when it was new in the 90's. I honestly can't remember the twist of the Browning Barrel.

Question 2: Would you use Norma, Lapua, Nosler or Federal Premium Brass

Question 3: If you were loading for target only, which of the high quality bullet makers would you test?

Question 4: Should I try to keep bullet speed down to preserve barrel life? If so what would the max speed be?

One note: I had used Federal FC Brass in my 7mag for 13 years, and it's just now showing ANY signs of fatigue. I have loaded them 10 times. I don't know how that stacks up against Norma, Lapua or Nosler.

Thanks for any info.

 

[mikecr]

Did you have a 'TWIST RATE' question?

 

[geneinnc]

Sure did, in Question 1:

Question 1:If I remember correctly the 9 1/4" twist is for 100 gr bullets?[/B]

 

[mikecr]

It shouldn't be a problem

 

[constructor]

I like the 95 Sierras that just came out. I've been shooting Lapua brass,drilled small flash hole) but I can't tell much difference between it and Win.
You might try some flat base bullets since you're only shooting 300. maybe the Fowler 80gr.

 

[CPorter]

I've been using a Rem VLS in 243 for several years now. The twist is 9.125 and is good for certain bullets to 100 grains. Round nose, soft points, ballistic tips work ok. VLDs, alloy bullets like the 100 gr Grand Slam, and generally longer bullets like those don't work so well.

Brass: I have brass I bought back in '79 that I'm still using for hunting. Rem, Win, PMC, Fed, Frontier, Norma and Lapua are all in my inventory. I can't say that I've noticed any particular brand producing better groups. Some do it with less work. Brass will last almost forever if you stay away from really hot loads AND you regularly anneal it.

Bullets: I have used Berger, Hornady, Sierra, Speer and Nosler. With the loads I have developed the Noslers seem to work best. Berger and Sierra are next in line.

Speed: Barrels have accuracy nodes. You should load to find these using something like an Audette /ladder test or a Design on experiments. Fast isn't always accurate and the barrel life of a 243 is already fairly short.