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As good as it gets? My .243 testing.

Savage Varmint action, no timing/truing done and set in a Choate Tactical stock w/bedding block but no additional bedding done. Criterion 28" ST 1" .243 bbl. Sightron SIII 8-32X56 FCH.

So I think I have done all I can do to try to come up with the best load I can for my .243? I have ladder tested a couple times and tested seating depths and I think I have come up with a load of 39.8 gr of IMR 4350 ignited by Federal 210 primers shooting Sierra 107gr moly MK's seated .020 off the lands. Running about 2850 fps avg.

Here are today's results (pics) shooting various 3-shot and 5-shot groups. My goal was to try to get to 1/4" MOA accuracy and I've come close. I'd say I am realistically @ 1/3" MOA consistently with some occasional 1/4" MOA groups, do I just leave well enough alone at this point?

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2013-06-01222006_zpsbfdaca00.jpg
 
Leave well enough alone and go kill something with that rig! If you want a 1/4 MOA rig buy a 6 PPC or .30 BR and compete. You will have that poor barrel shot out testing! 1/3 MOA is awesome for that rig! I have a lot more money in a T&T'ed 700 and barrel and get that. Of course maybe it's me! :-[
 
I would be very satisfied with those results. Good shooting. Doesn't surprise me however, IMR 4350 is an outstanding powder for the 243 especially with bullet weights over 80 grains.

Unless you like to tinker with load development, I'd stop where you're at and go hunting with that load combo.
 
I agree with boltman223. After I bedded my Rem 700 in a Choate Tactical stock, the accuracy improved by about 1/4". But it looks like you're a better shot then I am.

Best Regards,

Dave
 
IA_shooter said:
Here are today's results (pics) shooting various 3-shot and 5-shot groups. My goal was to try to get to 1/4" MOA accuracy and I've come close. I'd say I am realistically @ 1/3" MOA consistently with some occasional 1/4" MOA groups, do I just leave well enough alone at this point?

If you want to define "X" MOA accuracy as arbitrarily as you suggest, then maybe you are done. But I'm not buying that.

Follow the longstanding protocol in American Rifleman magazine. Shoot five consecutive 5-shot groups, ideally with at least three different loads, unless you intend to find/use just one load and keep it just that simple.

No called flyers, no BS, just shoot the groups and then measure them and then do the math.

Post pics, and let's see whatcha got! :)
 
I would turn my necks and bedding helps at least for me! I would like to say unless your competing, a five shot group under 1/3 moa after shooting your fouler is pretty good. Also I like imr 4350 but with smk 107 it wouldn't hurt to try h1000 and rl-25.
 
Bed it (easy and cheap) and try 4831 (my 243 likes it a tad better than 4350 with 105s). That said the critters won't know the difference.
 
wow, that's a shooter! I'd say done. you might find you get the same groups at 200 too. You hunting with this? - competitions, varmints? I bed some of my rifles , it sure would not hurt and then you'd know the difference firsthand.
I'd recommend Devcon if you go down that road. Good luck.
 
Congrats on your success so far! I have recently began testing loads 1-2 hours before sunset only. This eliminates mirage and wind gusts if you look at weather forecast and use wind flags. I have begun to save components ($$) and time using this method.
Good Luck!
 

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