.243 using 58 grain bullets

[BMG]

I have the opportunity to borrow a 1:7 twist 26" barrel. Currently I have a lot of Norma 58 grain .243 ammunition. My question is will this ammunition be safe using this barrel and will the bullets fragment? Also will these bullets over stabilise and group well? I shall be using a moderator as well.

 

[fredhorace77]

only one way to know is try it and see. be sure to test at different yard increments. i have had bullets tear apart at 25 yards and others that stay together till 200 yards. i dont understand why this is the case but i have seen bullets spin apart at different distances.

 

[TominSWNY]

If those are the plactic tip V-max they should work OK

 

[CPorter]

Using a 1:7 twist with 58gr bullets will be ok but you will have to watch your velocity. A 1:7 is a fast twist for short bullets ( lighter weight) and the 58gr v-max is a thin jacket varmint bullet. Combining the two can lead to bullets blowing up before they reach the target. The loading manual shows speeds up to 3800 fps with a 10 twist I wouldn't try to push it.

3800 fps ~ 391,000 rpm with a 7 twist
3800 fps ~ 274,000 rpm with a 10 twist
2660 fps ~ 274,000 rpm with a 7 twist

So at any regular speed for a 58gr you be over Hornady's test rpm.

 

[BMG]

Norma indicate on the box that the muzzle velocity is 3937 f/s. Maybe I should use Norma 75gr V-MAX instead?