244AI loads

[Burt]

I have the rifle done and it's ready to form some brass. Now I have some questions for you folks. After reading through many posts and replies here, it seems that the bullet should touch the lands a bit when forming the brass. The factory Remington cartridge's bullet does not touch the lands, will the brass form okay this way? I fired one through it just to check for problems,none thank God) and I'm not sure how 'sharp' the edge should be. It did form but, I have no fireformed 244AI brass to compare it to.

I see Richard Franklin likes the 47.5gr of Varget or IMR4064 powders for the 65gr V-Max bullet. That load seems a little hot and wondered if anyone here has tried it. I know to work up to that charge of powder, which brings up another question. What starting point should I start at for the work-up loads,using Varget)? I am going to use the 65gr V-Max bullets and Remington brass.

 

[Cheechako]

Burt

If the chamber is cut correctly you should feel some resistance when closing the bolt on a new, standard 244 case. If all is right you do not need to seat the bullets to touch the rifleing. On the other hand, if you do not feel any resistance it means the chamber was cut too long and you then need to have a way to hold the head of the case against the bolt face. The usual way of doing this is to "jam" the bullet into the rifleing, not simply having it touch. This is OK and will not raise pressure to a point of concern. For a fire-forming load, use any full power load listed in any good manual, or factory ammo. Firing a standard case in an improved chamber will result in less than normal pressure so a full power load will generate just enough pressure to fully form the case. Confused? Don't be. It's easier than it sounds.

Now, my personal opinion on your preference for a 244AI load. I think the 65 grain bullet is a little light for the Ackley version and Varget is a little on the fast side. The main idea behind the Improved case is to be able to shoot the heavier bullets, say 80 or 85 grains, at velocities around 3500 or 3600 fps. For that you need much slower powders, such as 4350 or 4831 burning rates. Shooting 65 grain bullets with Varget is more appropriate for the BR size cases. JMHO

Ray

 

[StephenPerry]

Burt
Try Sierra 70 Grn bullets with 4350 powder use CCI 250 or WLR primers. But to get a better use out a medium size cartridge like your 244AI you should get in the 80 grn bullets like the Hornady 87 grn HPBT. I also like 4831 powder. I lean towards powders that fill up the case.
Burt should fire form fine Remington and others load a hefty powder charge in factory loads. On second firing go with your bullets, seat them into the lands the second firing will complete the fire forming.
Stephen Perry

 

[Burt]

Thank you for the information...and quick! The receiver is a Remington 700SA and has been trued. Has a Douglas #9 barrel at 27" long. The bolt closes with resistance on factory ammo. So I'm good to go there,thank God, again). Now the ideas I had when the project started and now. This rifle will be for taking out coyote at a range of around 600yd. I figured that since the varmint isn't all that big and the distance isn't all that long, a light bullet would do just fine. So, I ordered the barrel in 1x14 twist from Douglas Barrels. After I ordered the barrel I started finding more info on the topic of the 244AI..I made a mistake, I thought. Then I ran onto Richard's site that has close to the same rig as I'm wanting to build,and have built here). So, with a slow twist barrel I feel I'm limited to the low weight bullets. I have 65gr and 75gr V Max bullets here to try but, the 65gr may be more on the correct scale for that twist?

 

[Cheechako]

Burt

If you have a 14 twist you will have to use the lighter bullets, obviously. But don't let that discourage you. There are a lot of good ones to try. If you are wanting to shoot coyotes I assume you live in the West and possibly at a high elevation. In that case you might be able to shoot bullets as big as 80 grains. It won't hurt to try a few to see if they will stabilize. But there ain't nothing wrong with the light bullets. I myself like the Berger MEF and I use the 6mm 60 grainers a lot for prairie dogs. They are like a little bomb. Probably too explosive if you want to keep the Coyote's hide. Good Luck. The 244 Ackley is one of the better cartridges. JMHO and I am probably prejudiced.

Ray

 

[Burt]

I appreciate the replies, makes me feel that I didn't blunder after all. I figure that if the coyote can be taken with a 22-250 and a 55gr bullet, the 65 to 75gr bullet in a 244AI should be no problem. I will try the heavier bullets as I have time, but for now I need to get some varmints.

Cheechako, I don't live in the west part of our country. I live in the northeast, in Ohio. Folks don't believe there is a coyote problem and that it is growing. But if you ask some of the farmers around the southern part of Ohio they will let you know that the problem is real. So far they have avoided me with great skill,like I'm great at hunting coyote), and have cover for most of their travel on the property. I figure the only way I'm gonna get the varmints is by a longer shot from a hill side. The Ohio Valley has some pretty good size hills, I call them mountains at my age. I haven't seen many tracks or traces of them on the hill sides...all down low and around the river sides. They aren't stupid and they get smarter.

Thanks to all for your help, I mean that. Burt