I have been reading and reading about this subject and feel drawn to ask a few questions. I am having a rifle built in .243 Winchester, not .243 Ai, 6-284. Just your run o the mill standard ole .243. I am putting a 1 in 7 twist 28 inch long Hart barrel on it to shoot the heaviest bullet possible in .243. Now, I have read alot on here about people having bullets desintegrate en route to the target, Are there issues with the 1 in 7 twist and the 115s, Bergers Dtac ect? Is the reason for the bullet desintegration possibly pushing it through a fast twist barrel in a potent cartridge such as the Ai, or the 6-284 version. What are your opinions on the 115's and the standard .243 Winchester with the 1 in 7 twist. I am planning on shooting it out to 1000 yrds and more if I get the chance, I also shoot some 400 yard bench matches and will like to use it for this as well. Let me have it!?
243 Winchester/ 115 Gr Bullets
- Thread starter 44magSr
- Start date
WAMBO
Gold $$ Contributor
I have a 243 with a Mike Rock 27' 1-7.5' twist and it shoots the 115 Moly DTAC's pretty good at 1000yds using 47grs of H1000, velocity is in the 2900+ range and 5 shot groups are between .5 and .75 moa. RE 25 also works well.
I think you will be fine with the 7 twist and the DTAC's, don't have any experience with the Bergers.
Wayne aka WAMBO
I think you will be fine with the 7 twist and the DTAC's, don't have any experience with the Bergers.
Wayne aka WAMBO
I have a .243Ai but had the bullet failier problems you were mentioning.
My problem was my Lilja barrel. I couldnt get any 6mm bullets to hold together after about 2970fps. I thought it was a bullet problem. Then I switched to a Brouhton barrel and have had 0 problems since. I now run the 115gr Dtacs at 3070 and couldnt be happier.
Most likely you wont have any problems. I want to think the Lilja barrel I had was too tight. as regular .243 loads in the AI version were not only blowing up bullets, but killing my brass too. I now use that barrel for fireforming.
Good luck. and have fun.
Jerid
My problem was my Lilja barrel. I couldnt get any 6mm bullets to hold together after about 2970fps. I thought it was a bullet problem. Then I switched to a Brouhton barrel and have had 0 problems since. I now run the 115gr Dtacs at 3070 and couldnt be happier.
Most likely you wont have any problems. I want to think the Lilja barrel I had was too tight. as regular .243 loads in the AI version were not only blowing up bullets, but killing my brass too. I now use that barrel for fireforming.
Good luck. and have fun.
Jerid
When you get yours running try Re-22, Ive had great results with that powder. great accuracy and speed.
Yeah I was hoping R-22 was a good choice, I will have to see when I get my load data from Berger on the 115 VLD's. I use it currently in my other 243, I use 45 gr of it behind the 95gr Berger VLD's. I am stuck using just those at the moment, My rifle I have now is a factory Remington 700 VLS with a 1 in 9 twist so I was limited on bullet weight with this rifle.
With the Hart BBL you will need to make sure it stays clean. One of the reasons bullets blow up is fouling. Not just copper, but carbon is a big issue that can result in bullet blow up.
I'm shooting 115 Bergers,Target) at 3100 fps from my Bartlein in 1:7.5 with no issues.
As far as the RE 22 goes, you may want to try H1000 or N165 as they are single based and the RE 22 is double based. It may help with barrel life.
Joe
I'm shooting 115 Bergers,Target) at 3100 fps from my Bartlein in 1:7.5 with no issues.
As far as the RE 22 goes, you may want to try H1000 or N165 as they are single based and the RE 22 is double based. It may help with barrel life.
Joe
Joesr is right about the Vit N-165. on my rifle it will just about interchange with re-22. .5gr more of the N-165 matches the ballistics of the re-22. And I cant tell a difference on target.
I will have to look into those powders for sure thanks for the advice, I have to request load data from Berger to see if those are on their list, well, Blackhawk, you have data obviously for the 115 VLD's did you get yours from Berger or did you work it up on your own? If you have data would you be willing to share a bit of it? I did see on Harts website they do recommend keeping the barrel clean after 20 or so shots so i will definitely use the methods they request I use for sure. I want this gun, when ever it gets finished, to last me as long as possible. These things are not cheep!
44Magsr. My rifle is of the Ackley Improved veriety. Didnt you say yours was a straight .243win? If it is, I got my starting data from the sierra load book for the Re-22 and the Vit website for the V-165. But added to it for the AI chamber. Those two powders will still work even if its not an AI.
Jerid
Jerid
Lance I have a shooting buddy who has a 1 in 8 twist 243 Ai and he says that his will shoot 1 hole groups at 100 yards with the 115 Bergers but out beyond that they get a bit squirrly. From all I know and all the people I have spoke to the best twist for the 115 VLD's is 1 in 7 or as close to that you can get. The 8 twist just doesnt stabbilize the 115's enough at longer ranges. Like I said thats from someone I know who has tried them and Berger bullets themselves. I have taken the time to call them and I have personally spoke to Walt Berger on quite a few different occations concerning a few of thier bullets. I am not sure what the best twist is for Dtac 115's as I have never tried them,, yet.
Tom
Tom
BlackHawk, I havent look in my Sierra manual for info on this yet but seems like it may be a good idea to check them all and see whats listed as far as powders for the 115's in .243 Win. I usually get my data from Berger for thier bullets and have had super great results, but, thanks for the nudge, never really thought about my other manuals. Could at least cross refrence with other data and see what comes of it.
Tom
Tom
My barrel is a 7.5 twist and may actually be a little slower, Im never measured it. When this barrel goes out, I have an 8 twist Im going to try. I say get a box of 115gr Bergers and try and see if the will stabilize. Im thinking they verywell may. As Ive heard other people using a straight 8.
Jerid
Jerid
Tom,
+ 1 0n trying a box before you bow to the rumor mill.
I have shot over 7 boxes,700)of Bergers at the 2950 to 3000fps range from right at sea Level in High heat, Quantico VA) to 1500ft in the Dakota's. Not Squirly at all. All in a straight 1:8 twist. Cut rifle Satern. Used R22 most of the time.
RussT
+ 1 0n trying a box before you bow to the rumor mill.
I have shot over 7 boxes,700)of Bergers at the 2950 to 3000fps range from right at sea Level in High heat, Quantico VA) to 1500ft in the Dakota's. Not Squirly at all. All in a straight 1:8 twist. Cut rifle Satern. Used R22 most of the time.
RussT
I had such a bad expiriance with my Lilja 7 twist .243AI barrel, Im very hesitant to get another one. Not saying it wont work though. Also, I think the Berger VLD bullets may need a little more twist than say a MatchKing or Scenar style bullet. Another quess on my part.
All in All 44Mag, I think your new barrel should work well. I heard alot of good about the barrel brand your going with.
Jerid
All in All 44Mag, I think your new barrel should work well. I heard alot of good about the barrel brand your going with.
Jerid
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.