Cream of wheat fireform loads for 243AI

[Bulseyetom]

I am about out of brass for my two 243AI's and bought a new supply of 243 brass. I loaded up 25 with bullets seated long but was wondering what kind of charge to use for the creme of wheat method and shotgun powder? I formed a bunch of 7mm Ackley Krag with cream of wheat a few years back but I can't find my notes on the charge I used. Before powder and bullets became scarce I always just used regular loads to make brass but I am somewhat leery of wasting powder as my supplies are starting to get low. Thanks for any thoughts. Tom

 

[Ackman]

Don't screw with cream of wheat. A waste of time and components. Decide which bullet and powder you want to use, then start at a top end load for the std. .243 and go from there. When you find best accuracy, that's your fireform load. It'll be considerably faster than a std. 243. With formed brass your load will be the same or very close. For instance - fireform load in one of my 243AI's (13twist) was 48+ gr. W760 and a 70TNT @ 3800-3850. Each case perfectly formed, way better than 1/2" accuracy, and every round was used on a prairie dog or rockchuck.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Don't screw with cream of wheat. A waste of time and components. Decide which bullet and powder you want to use, then start at a top end load for the std. .243 and go from there. When you find best accuracy, that's your fireform load. ....

+1. One of my better fire forming results:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12296998/Deer/Sika%20royal.jpg

Regards

JCS

 

[Prairiedogger]

+2. Fire form as you work up your load. Your not waisting powder. I use the full load in my 22-250 to fire form my Ackley. Works great out to 200 yds. After that just slightly lower.

 

[Bulseyetom]

JCS, did he expire from choking on the creme of wheat? ;D

 

[SeabeeKen]

I used 10 gr of unique for some 243 ai cases. Every one formed perfectly. But it sure dirties the bore. As stated, the max load for the reg 243 is a good starting point for fire forming.
Also, I found huge chunks of cow stuck in the shoulder area that had to be removed with a pick.
Good luck