Loads I've had success with in my 243ai, shilen 24" 1-8 twist:
44.5gr H414 with 87gr Vmax - fire forming Lapua brass - 1/3MOA accuracy, 3300fps
47.0gr Re22 with 105gr Amax - with formed brass - 1/3 or better accuracy, 3250fps, but hard on the brass. Subsequently reduced to 46.5gr with 3200fps and better brass life.
I burned half the barrel life with these two loads. Then today I try to broaden my horizons.
The H414 fire forming load was chosen as a safe max 243Win load and worked well. But with formed 243AI brass, at 46gr and 3370fps I'm already getting significant pressure signs, enough to make me think perhaps with the 87 I'm dead in the water with this powder and I can't significantly out-perform the fire forming load enough to make it worth it. What else should I try with the 87? Given what I can do with the 105 I'd think I should be able to go faster.
I got into the mid 3200s with RE22 and the 105s, but decided it was a bit too hard on the brass and backed off to 3200. Today I tried Re26 due to its fairy dust and unicorn fart reputation. While I did not get miraculous results, I was able to get 105s out at 3260-3270 with similar pressure signs as my 3200fps Re22 load. Given increased temp stability, perhaps worth the effort.
Is Re23 or even Re26 a viable option with the 87gr Vmax? If I can't get more separation in velocity compared to the 105s there is no reason to shoot them other than a cheaper bullet to form new brass.
44.5gr H414 with 87gr Vmax - fire forming Lapua brass - 1/3MOA accuracy, 3300fps
47.0gr Re22 with 105gr Amax - with formed brass - 1/3 or better accuracy, 3250fps, but hard on the brass. Subsequently reduced to 46.5gr with 3200fps and better brass life.
I burned half the barrel life with these two loads. Then today I try to broaden my horizons.
The H414 fire forming load was chosen as a safe max 243Win load and worked well. But with formed 243AI brass, at 46gr and 3370fps I'm already getting significant pressure signs, enough to make me think perhaps with the 87 I'm dead in the water with this powder and I can't significantly out-perform the fire forming load enough to make it worth it. What else should I try with the 87? Given what I can do with the 105 I'd think I should be able to go faster.
I got into the mid 3200s with RE22 and the 105s, but decided it was a bit too hard on the brass and backed off to 3200. Today I tried Re26 due to its fairy dust and unicorn fart reputation. While I did not get miraculous results, I was able to get 105s out at 3260-3270 with similar pressure signs as my 3200fps Re22 load. Given increased temp stability, perhaps worth the effort.
Is Re23 or even Re26 a viable option with the 87gr Vmax? If I can't get more separation in velocity compared to the 105s there is no reason to shoot them other than a cheaper bullet to form new brass.
