I have a 243 wssm 1:8 shilen 28" pipe on a savage precision target action that has been to Fred Moroe (spelling) at sharp shooter supply to get timed and trued. I have shot WAY too many loads of 105 a-max bullets as well as berger and 107 smks and can't make any of them work really well. I typically see ,75-1." and sometimes larger. I have tried all types of different powders and jumping and jamming the bullets. This last weekend I was working with 8208 and varget with 105 a-max bullets and I figured I would try 87 grain v-max also. The v-max shot very well with the groups being around .4" for 5 shots at 200 yards. So what is the deal? Is there any good reason that the barrel does not like the heavier bullets? I check twist and found it to be spot on 1:8" so I am a little confused. I am okay with the bullet as it is a varmint rig anyway but it would be nice to know what is going on other than the star won't line up for this barrel, me and the heavy 6mm bullets.
8 twist will not shoot 105s
- Thread starter kemlin
- Start date
The necks of the wssms are .034 thick, IMO that just kills accuracy especially if the 105 is seated deep in the case. Also the necks do not expand to seal the chamber, I had a lot of blowby with soot back on the mag. I ditched the 243 and made a 6.5 ARSM designed for turned necks .014 thick. Try turning the necks on 5-10 cases just to see if there is any improvement. I have the best luck with the Amax .005 off if the throat is .243 if it's a .244 throat you may need to seat them in the lands a little.
I turn the necks already and they seal as the case and even the neck area is clean. I have no problem with the caliber as I have several and do not understand why people do not like it, yeah it might be a little extra work but getting there is kind of what I like doing. I am at my wits end trying to figure out why it will not shoot the heavier bullets as the speed is ample and the twist is correct.
Consider calling some of the bullet people, they can probably give you the answer.
I just got done wasting a box of 105 Amax. Finally thought I found one that would work, it was .37 at 100yds, Loaded up some more to test and at 200yd they shot 3.5" group that looked like a buckshot group. After that tried some 95 vld and they were .5 to .6 on the same target same conditions. I can't get the amax to work. I have some 107 smk on the way to try. I was really wanting to shoot the 105 to 108 bullets in my rifle too. Hope you can figure something out. Hope I do to... Mine is a 6br, forgot what part I was in.
kemlin, I agree with Preacher.
As an example: I had a 6.5mm barrel that would not like the 140 class bullets. Twist was also correct. I went back to 120-123 class bullet and it tightened up remarkably. I tried every combination possible (800 shots and burnt out barrel trying). Very frustrating and with no good news I am afraid. I never worked it out. I should have just stuck with the lighter bullets which it loved. All other barrels I have are fine with the longer bullets. I am guessing it is something to do with the chambering (neck and throat dimensions) as this is the only barrel I didn't chamber myself with a PT&G reamer. When I get the time I will rechamber and try again but hard to justify trying when it won't have much barrel time left and it is more of an experiment. Very frustrating and perplexing and perhaps you could ask some of the more experienced gunsmiths or even Dave Kiff. I have heard of more than a few instances where rechambering with different throat length and neck clearance has made a huge difference. VLD's and the like high BC bullets can be very depth and neck tension sensitive so seem to respond to throat length and dimensions.
Also just check you are not seating down into a developing donut. This will have a huge effect on accuracy.
As an example: I had a 6.5mm barrel that would not like the 140 class bullets. Twist was also correct. I went back to 120-123 class bullet and it tightened up remarkably. I tried every combination possible (800 shots and burnt out barrel trying). Very frustrating and with no good news I am afraid. I never worked it out. I should have just stuck with the lighter bullets which it loved. All other barrels I have are fine with the longer bullets. I am guessing it is something to do with the chambering (neck and throat dimensions) as this is the only barrel I didn't chamber myself with a PT&G reamer. When I get the time I will rechamber and try again but hard to justify trying when it won't have much barrel time left and it is more of an experiment. Very frustrating and perplexing and perhaps you could ask some of the more experienced gunsmiths or even Dave Kiff. I have heard of more than a few instances where rechambering with different throat length and neck clearance has made a huge difference. VLD's and the like high BC bullets can be very depth and neck tension sensitive so seem to respond to throat length and dimensions.
Also just check you are not seating down into a developing donut. This will have a huge effect on accuracy.
How many rounds do you have on the barrel? Maybe the throat is gone or maybe the chamber job wasnt done correctly. I also do not care for the 243wssm case. I had a buddy that one one and it wouldnt shoot either. Im not sure why though. I have another buddy who necked the case up to 30cal for varmint shoots/ ground hog shoots and i think it does ok but the targets i saw were not special. Come to think of it, i have never heard anyone say just how accurate there 243wssm is. I know a lot of that has to do with the super thick necks but if your turning them i would have to think you know what your doing. Good luck and i really hope you get it all figured out!! Lee
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