87 gr. V Max in .243 Win
- Thread starter Gman
- Start date
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I checked the Hodgdon load database for you. They don't list the 87gr V-max. The closest thing is a 90gr Speer Softpoint. Remember you can't just substitute one bullet for another. But this should give you a basic idea of useful powders and "real world" velocities for bullets in this weight range.
I'd start with H4350. Click the thumbnail below to see the Hodgdon load data.
In our .243 Cartridge Guide we list a Chuck Hawks gen'l purpose load for the 87gr V-Max: IMR 4064, 37.1 grains, Fed 210m, 3100 fps, Hornady brass.
If you don't get the accuracy you want, try a different bullet. Some barrels just don't seem to like the 87 very much, performing much better with an 80gr FB, or 90gr Boat-tail.
I'd start with H4350. Click the thumbnail below to see the Hodgdon load data.
In our .243 Cartridge Guide we list a Chuck Hawks gen'l purpose load for the 87gr V-Max: IMR 4064, 37.1 grains, Fed 210m, 3100 fps, Hornady brass.
If you don't get the accuracy you want, try a different bullet. Some barrels just don't seem to like the 87 very much, performing much better with an 80gr FB, or 90gr Boat-tail.
Hornady book lists a starting load of 39.8 grns of H4350 for 2900fps, 41.6 grns for 3000fps and high end load of 43.4 grns for 3100fps .This is a 24 inch 1 in 10 barrel .
Loaded up some, and am getting very close to what I want.
Powder 42gr H4350
Bullet 87gr V Max
Primer F210M
OAL 2.650
AVG FPS 3034.80,20 rounds)
With just putting this rifle together, Rem SPS Varmint, B&C 2094 stock bedded, 6.5-20x50 TMR, and shooting off a bi pod, I am pretty pleased.
I put 3 5 shot groups under .7 at 100yrds.
I put 1 5 shot group at 1.5,est) at 250yrds.
I am going to load up 120rounds for the next Varm. Sil. shoot, and see how it performs. I think with playing with the OAL I will get her tuned in a bit better. Pretty happy with this factory tube.
Powder 42gr H4350
Bullet 87gr V Max
Primer F210M
OAL 2.650
AVG FPS 3034.80,20 rounds)
With just putting this rifle together, Rem SPS Varmint, B&C 2094 stock bedded, 6.5-20x50 TMR, and shooting off a bi pod, I am pretty pleased.
I put 3 5 shot groups under .7 at 100yrds.
I put 1 5 shot group at 1.5,est) at 250yrds.
I am going to load up 120rounds for the next Varm. Sil. shoot, and see how it performs. I think with playing with the OAL I will get her tuned in a bit better. Pretty happy with this factory tube.
Gunner - I, literally, just returned from the range. Working up loads with H4831SC and H4350.
The H4350 with Fed 210 primers was astounding! 5 rounds with loads varying 0.5 grains - 41.5, 42.0, 42.5, 43.0, & 43.5 - the five shots could be covered with a nickel.
My 243 likes the Federal 210 primers a LOT more than CCI BR, Rem 9.5, Win LR, or CCI Magnums.
The H4350 with Fed 210 primers was astounding! 5 rounds with loads varying 0.5 grains - 41.5, 42.0, 42.5, 43.0, & 43.5 - the five shots could be covered with a nickel.
My 243 likes the Federal 210 primers a LOT more than CCI BR, Rem 9.5, Win LR, or CCI Magnums.
Thanks for the info. I just loaded 100rnds of the following yesterday. I shot 40rounds today.
Win Brass
42gr H4350
87gr V Max
F210M Primers
2.655 OAL.
Shot very well, running around 3034avg fps.
This is my 500m, 3 shot group. The 100 and 200 weren't that impressive, but I think using Leupolds TMR reticle doesn't help in holding on a target that close.
Anyway, I may jump up in grains to see if it comes around any better. Thanks again.
Win Brass
42gr H4350
87gr V Max
F210M Primers
2.655 OAL.
Shot very well, running around 3034avg fps.
This is my 500m, 3 shot group. The 100 and 200 weren't that impressive, but I think using Leupolds TMR reticle doesn't help in holding on a target that close.
Anyway, I may jump up in grains to see if it comes around any better. Thanks again.
Not sure how this will show up here, but this is what I put together so far. I am going up the charge on the 87 with H4350, and maybe play with the 105's a bit more when I get some naked ones in. The one's listed below are Moly 105 A Max's.
.243 26" SPS Varmint
ROUND AVG FPS GROUP POWDER PRIMER TRIM OAL
6/2/2007
58gr V Max 3488 41.5gr Varget F210M 2.035
87gr V Max 2933 35gr IMR 4064 F210M 2.035
87gr V Max 2990 35.5gr IMR 4064 F210M 2.035
87gr V Max 2975 35.5gr IMR 4064 F210M 2.035
6/17/2007
58gr v max 3491 0.5 41.5gr Varget F210M 2.035 2.65
87gr v max 2929 0.75 35gr IMR 4064 F210M 2.035 2.65
87gr v max 2972 41.6gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.655
87gr v max 3034 42gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.655
105 A Max Moly 2787 40gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.635
105 A Max Moly 2794 40gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.655
105 A Max Moly 2829 40gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.7
.243 26" SPS Varmint
ROUND AVG FPS GROUP POWDER PRIMER TRIM OAL
6/2/2007
58gr V Max 3488 41.5gr Varget F210M 2.035
87gr V Max 2933 35gr IMR 4064 F210M 2.035
87gr V Max 2990 35.5gr IMR 4064 F210M 2.035
87gr V Max 2975 35.5gr IMR 4064 F210M 2.035
6/17/2007
58gr v max 3491 0.5 41.5gr Varget F210M 2.035 2.65
87gr v max 2929 0.75 35gr IMR 4064 F210M 2.035 2.65
87gr v max 2972 41.6gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.655
87gr v max 3034 42gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.655
105 A Max Moly 2787 40gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.635
105 A Max Moly 2794 40gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.655
105 A Max Moly 2829 40gr H4350 F210M 2.035 2.7
Shot 300 yard targets at the range this evening.
Good, not great, but good.
105 AMax over 41.5 of H4350 and 87 AMax over 43.5 of H4350 both lit by Federal 210's. Couple of flyers opened groups - completely my fault.
Will keep trying.....
Tried some Win 760 for the fun of it...it was not even fun. I keep reminding myself why I hate 748 and 760 - dirty and less than ideal in consistency from round to round.
Good, not great, but good.
105 AMax over 41.5 of H4350 and 87 AMax over 43.5 of H4350 both lit by Federal 210's. Couple of flyers opened groups - completely my fault.
Will keep trying.....
Tried some Win 760 for the fun of it...it was not even fun. I keep reminding myself why I hate 748 and 760 - dirty and less than ideal in consistency from round to round.
Here is a picture of my accuracy load using H4350 with the 87 grain V-max in my Savage 12 BVSS.
Here is a photo of the same load at 700 yards, admittedly only a 3 shot group but it goes to show how accurate the 87 grain V-max can be in the right rifle.
memilanuk
Gold $$ Contributor
Anybody tried Ramshot Hunter behind this bullet in the .243? It's supposed to be a kissin' cousin as far as burn rates when compared to H4350 & RE19, and seems to have proved a good alternative for a few shooters here locally using it in .260 Rem,another cartridge that typically uses H4350 for accuracy loads).
Seems like a varmint bullet w/ a good 'splat' factor + a ball powder that meters like water would be an excellent mix!
Seems like a varmint bullet w/ a good 'splat' factor + a ball powder that meters like water would be an excellent mix!
Gunner75 said:
I use the same rifle for target fun, but I'm using 95gr SMK with 40.5gr of H4350.
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