First firing of my new .243 Win (targets)

[Lefty Trigger]

Had some really nice weather in Ohio today so I took a day off work and went to the range with my new rifle. Did a quick bore site to get the scope close with the 20moa rail I installed and fired off about 25 rounds and following a break-in. With the scope now real close I started trying my test rounds with three different bullet weights and two brands, Hornady 75gr V-max and 87gr V-max and Sierra 100gr Spitzer all of them loaded with IMR 4064 powder. All of the sierra bullets were loaded to the same length at .030 off the lands. The Hornady bullets were loaded at .005 increments starting at .005 off the lands and increasing to .020 off the lands. I need a lot more time to play with powder charges and other bullets but I learned a lot, the gun really likes the Hornady 87gr V-max as it seemed to shoot the best. I was not doing so good as I managed to jerk a few fliers and screw up some really good groups. The pictures have the bullet length listed and the group size (-in the lines-)
The gun is a Winchester Model 70 Coyote Light .243 with a Vortex PST 6x24x50 scope.

 

[K22]

IMR 4064 is an excellent choice, especially for the 75 and 87 grain bullets.

 

[370bc]

I recently developed a load for my 243 w/Douglas 1-12 w/RL22 & BR2 primers & 87 VMaxes. Solid half MOA. I would suggest a primer test. I have had quicker and better results OCW testing @ 200yards. YMMV.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

I recently developed a load for my 243 w/Douglas 1-12 w/RL22 & BR2 primers & 87 VMaxes. Solid half MOA. I would suggest a primer test. I have had quicker and better results OCW testing @ 200yards. YMMV.

The primers I'm using are all CCI all across the board, what would you suggest trying? I have been told to use Remington primers for rifle and leave the CCI for the handguns.

 

[370bc]

The way I’ve been told, is just try as many as you have. Whether they be magnum primers are standard primers.
I tried WLR, Rem 9 1/2, Fed 210, Fed 215m, the list goes on.

 

[WyleWD]

Had some really nice weather in Ohio today so I took a day off work and went to the range with my new rifle. Did a quick bore site to get the scope close with the 20moa rail I installed and fired off about 25 rounds and following a break-in. With the scope now real close I started trying my test rounds with three different bullet weights and two brands, Hornady 75gr V-max and 87gr V-max and Sierra 100gr Spitzer all of them loaded with IMR 4064 powder. All of the sierra bullets were loaded to the same length at .030 off the lands. The Hornady bullets were loaded at .005 increments starting at .005 off the lands and increasing to .020 off the lands. I need a lot more time to play with powder charges and other bullets but I learned a lot, the gun really likes the Hornady 87gr V-max as it seemed to shoot the best. I was not doing so good as I managed to jerk a few fliers and screw up some really good groups. The pictures have the bullet length listed and the group size (-in the lines-)
The gun is a Winchester Model 70 Coyote Light .243 with a Vortex PST 6x24x50 scope.

May I ask what powder charge you used with each of the 3 bullets? And do you know what the twist rate is on that barrel? You have a couple of pretty promising strings there.

And I agree that at some point you might want to try some different brands of primers. I've had good luck with Rem 9 1/2 and CCI's in the 243. WD

 

[Lefty Trigger]

May I ask what powder charge you used with each of the 3 bullets? And do you know what the twist rate is on that barrel? You have a couple of pretty promising strings there.

And I agree that at some point you might want to try some different brands of primers. I've had good luck with Rem 9 1/2 and CCI's in the 243. WD

Look at the target pictures, the title for the image has the powder and the charge weight and my length is wrote on the target itself. I used a Hornady bullet comparator for my length measurements. Barrel twist is 1:10 The 75 gr bullets liked to be farther away from the lands and the 87 gr got better closer. The first shots were with the 100 gr Sierra bullets but all were set at .030 jump. I need to spend more time with that bullet as I feel there is room for improvement.

 

[tuttlefarm]

With the 87 gr V-max, and with IMR 4064 somewhere from 37 to 38 grains of powder will be the sweet spot with a 10 twist barrel

 

[Shynloco]

Lefty,
What is your long term purpose in that .243? I have a new shooting buddy who has little experience with rifles as he used to shooting alot of handgun comps. And he has a new Ruger PRS in .243 (bought 2 yrs ago and put it in his safe) and is having problems understanding that rifle is first, built for long range shooting and secondly, the caliber cannot contend with the like of 6mmbr, 6ppc, 6.5BR,etc.etc. But he's shooting 105;s being pushed by H4831SC and gets pretty nice groups @ 100 yds. That load BTW was developed by our Gunsmith (who kicks azz in several 600/1K comps statewide with his rifles, none in .243) using my friend's PRS rifle, Then I made the mistake of letting him shoot my 6mmbr to show him the difference in calibers and guess what's now on order. His wife ain't none too happy about it either.

Alex

 

[jaygorski]

IMR 4064 is an excellent choice, especially for the 75 and 87 grain bullets.

You say that after looking at his targets? Gotta be a better powder.

 

[jaygorski]

I would have tried RE19 first.

 

[bloc]

I've had great results with Superformance.

I use 50 grains with both 69 grain Bergers and 70 grain Sierras and Speers. The Bergers shot the best.

Haven't measured velocity yet, but accuracy is excellent.

 

[WyleWD]

May I ask what powder charge you used with each of the 3 bullets? And do you know what the twist rate is on that barrel? You have a couple of pretty promising strings there.

And I agree that at some point you might want to try some different brands of primers. I've had good luck with Rem 9 1/2 and CCI's in the 243. WD

Had some really nice weather in Ohio today so I took a day off work and went to the range with my new rifle. Did a quick bore site to get the scope close with the 20moa rail I installed and fired off about 25 rounds and following a break-in. With the scope now real close I started trying my test rounds with three different bullet weights and two brands, Hornady 75gr V-max and 87gr V-max and Sierra 100gr Spitzer all of them loaded with IMR 4064 powder. All of the sierra bullets were loaded to the same length at .030 off the lands. The Hornady bullets were loaded at .005 increments starting at .005 off the lands and increasing to .020 off the lands. I need a lot more time to play with powder charges and other bullets but I learned a lot, the gun really likes the Hornady 87gr V-max as it seemed to shoot the best. I was not doing so good as I managed to jerk a few fliers and screw up some really good groups. The pictures have the bullet length listed and the group size (-in the lines-)
The gun is a Winchester Model 70 Coyote Light .243 with a Vortex PST 6x24x50 scope.

Ok. Got it. On the 75 Vmax keep with the 2.193 seating depth (or what ever the seating depth was on your lower left target) and gradually increase the amount of 4064. My Nosler and Hogdon manuals say that the MAX load is 41.5. Just do 2 or 3 shot groups. I think, based on what I'm seeing on your targets you'll find what you're looking for. This rifle will be used for hunting is that correct?

On the 100gr. I just wish you good luck if you want to pursue it. I never was impressed with the results I got out of a 10twist. Don't let anyone talk you out of the 4064 (yet). It's good stuff. WD

 

[Rodney]

4064 is a good powder for the lighter bullets for sure. My results weren’t bad but I went with a slower powder which increased my load density and my groups really shrunk down. I use reloader 16 for my 75 grain v-max’s and it fills the case right to the neck shoulder junction which is ideal for me. 55 and 60 grain bullets would be my choice for 4064. Good luck with your load testing.

 

[Zero333]

I would try H-4831sc with the 87's... around 47 gr, but reduce a couple grains and work up safely.

 

[JaoeyP]

Lefty,
What is your long term purpose in that .243? I have a new shooting buddy who has little experience with rifles as he used to shooting alot of handgun comps. And he has a new Ruger PRS in .243 (bought 2 yrs ago and put it in his safe) and is having problems understanding that rifle is first, built for long range shooting and secondly, the caliber cannot contend with the like of 6mmbr, 6ppc, 6.5BR,etc.etc. But he's shooting 105;s being pushed by H4831SC and gets pretty nice groups @ 100 yds. That load BTW was developed by our Gunsmith (who kicks azz in several 600/1K comps statewide with his rifles, none in .243) using my friend's PRS rifle, Then I made the mistake of letting him shoot my 6mmbr to show him the difference in calibers and guess what's now on order. His wife ain't none too happy about it either.

Alex

The Gen I Ruger Precision Rifle in 243 win has a 7.7" twist (only 243 win factory rifle I am aware of that has a twist rate faster than 9"); OPs rifle has a 10" twist I believe. Huge difference in how these two rifles will handle different bullets.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

Lefty,
What is your long term purpose in that .243? I have a new shooting buddy who has little experience with rifles as he used to shooting alot of handgun comps. And he has a new Ruger PRS in .243 (bought 2 yrs ago and put it in his safe) and is having problems understanding that rifle is first, built for long range shooting and secondly, the caliber cannot contend with the like of 6mmbr, 6ppc, 6.5BR,etc.etc. But he's shooting 105;s being pushed by H4831SC and gets pretty nice groups @ 100 yds. That load BTW was developed by our Gunsmith (who kicks azz in several 600/1K comps statewide with his rifles, none in .243) using my friend's PRS rifle, Then I made the mistake of letting him shoot my 6mmbr to show him the difference in calibers and guess what's now on order. His wife ain't none too happy about it either.

Alex

I bought this rifle for the sole use of shooting med-long range targets. I have some friends that are shooting tiny steel animals at about 400-600yds out and it looked like fun. I did not want to spend a bunch of money on a dedicated rifle for precision shooting if I don't want to continue doing it and the .243 is a good hunting gun increasing it's resale. Most tried to talk me into a 6.5 Creedmoor in a chassis frame gun but they are costly. I looked for a long time for a RugerPR in .243 but they are hard to find now.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

Ok. Got it. On the 75 Vmax keep with the 2.193 seating depth (or what ever the seating depth was on your lower left target) and gradually increase the amount of 4064. My Nosler and Hogdon manuals say that the MAX load is 41.5. Just do 2 or 3 shot groups. I think, based on what I'm seeing on your targets you'll find what you're looking for. This rifle will be used for hunting is that correct?

On the 100gr. I just wish you good luck if you want to pursue it. I never was impressed with the results I got out of a 10twist. Don't let anyone talk you out of the 4064 (yet). It's good stuff. WD

No not hunting, med-long range target shooting on a budget. Since the rifle is a 1:10 twist I'm limited on the bullet length/weight so I'm sticking to 100gr or less. I was told the 100gr flat bottom bullet would work well in that twist rate and it did seem to shoot decent but I loaded all my test round at the same seating depth. I think I'm going to end up with the 75gr or 87gr weight as the gun seemed to like them. As far as powder goes the old-timers told me to use the IMR4064 but I also have Varget, IMR3031 and IMR4350 but that last powder has some concerns that follow it, or so I have been told?

 

[WyleWD]

No not hunting, med-long range target shooting on a budget. Since the rifle is a 1:10 twist I'm limited on the bullet length/weight so I'm sticking to 100gr or less. I was told the 100gr flat bottom bullet would work well in that twist rate and it did seem to shoot decent but I loaded all my test round at the same seating depth. I think I'm going to end up with the 75gr or 87gr weight as the gun seemed to like them. As far as powder goes the old-timers told me to use the IMR4064 but I also have Varget, IMR3031 and IMR4350 but that last powder has some concerns that follow it, or so I have been told?

Thanks for the clarification. I have, and have had several 10 twist 243's. The 75gr- 90gr bullets are what have showed me the best consistent accuracy in them. In addition to the two you're having the best luck with, bullets that have shown really good accuracy are the 80gr Sierra Blitz, 85gr HPBT Sierra, and 90gr Berger. I agree with your old timers on trying the 4064. I've seen good shooting done with 3031 and both the IMR and H4350 and a few others. I Never had any consistent good luck with Varget and it can be very hard to find at times. Am looking forward to seeing your targets while increasing the powder weight on the 75's. WD

 

['Freak]

Scrape the hump out at the end of the barrel channel and make sure the barrel’s close to touching nothing but air, then ‘stress free’ pillar and bed the action.