From 1” to 0.6” back to 1” group 3 loads

[Florida Wally]

I have two Browning X bolts, a 223 Rem and a 243 Win, Hunter Models with the wooden stocks so I thought I might first address some issues I had with these model rifles. I actually had the synthetic stock on the 223 Rem replaced with a factory wooden stock because the synthetic stock would "torque / twist" off my shooting sticks making accurate shooting a problem. The wooden stock eliminated this problem. The 243 Win came with the wooden stock.

These rifles are light weight designed more for hunting applications than for sustained precision shooting meaning that you have to be very consistent in your hold, cheek weld, shoulder pressure, squeeze, and follow through, etc. to obtain consistent results. While the aforementioned shooting issues are important for all rifles, they became more so with light weight rifles even with the relatively light recoil of the 243 Win. Shooter skills are differently a significant factor when you start talking about groups in the 0.50 range.

Mine came with the actions factory bedded and barrels free floated but the triggers on mine were not good for precision shooting. I could only get them adjusted down to 3.5 to 4 lbs. I did find a rifle smith that reworked them down to a consistent 2.25 to 2.5 lbs which made a huge difference in my ability to shoot precisely. Don't expect to shoot great groups with poor triggers, i.e. heavy pull, creep, over travel.

With that said, after fixing the triggers, mine shoot extremely well for a hunting rifle meaning consistent sub 1 moa with occasional groups approaching 1/2 moa. For a factory rifle, even with tailored reloads, this is about all I could hope for which meets my needs for hunting applications. With regards to spread of groups, with these rifles, it's not uncommon for me to occasionally experience spreads of about 1/2" from group to group, e.g. a .700 vs. a .750 vs a .650.

For the 243, I've had my best results with the Sierra 85 grain BTHP and IMR 4064 or IMR 4350 and Federal 210 Primers. I've found that it takes at least a .5 grain change in powder for any noticeable change in group size for cartridges the size of the 243, especially with the aforementioned powders. However, IMR 3031 is a lot faster so maybe smaller changes in powder can produced a noticeable change on paper, I don't know because I've never used this powder in a 243.

If I was interested in precision target shooting I would opt for a heavy barrel rifle in a caliber more friendly to barrel wear than a 243. Don't get me wrong, I think the 243 Win is a great cartridge. I have 4 of them and have been shooting this caliber since the late 60's. Where it shines is in the role of a dual purpose hunting rifle for deer, varmints / predators.

Thanks, points well taken. Coincidentally, I have Sierra 85 grain bthp and IMR 4064 coming in the mail tomorrow. Just got the “ be at home to sign for delivery text.” I use IMR 4350 with purple tip 95 grain Nosler for hunting loads, so I have some 4350 to try as well.

I don’t intend to use the gun in the long term as a target gun and will eventually put it back into hunting duty. I am using it to test the target shooting waters. I may take it to a gunsmith and lower the trigger pull beyond the adjustment I can do myself, but if I buy a target rifle, I’ll leave it since it is good enough for hunting. I am learning a lot. Do you have any experience with the Browning x-bolt Max Long Range? I am thinking maybe that will be my next step in .308 due to the .243 barrel issue. I am a Browning fan for sentimental going back to my younger years with shotguns and the stock loading .22.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Thanks, points well taken. Coincidentally, I have Sierra 85 grain bthp and IMR 4064 coming in the mail tomorrow. Just got the “ be at home to sign for delivery text.” I use IMR 4350 with purple tip 95 grain Nosler for hunting loads, so I have some 4350 to try as well.

I don’t intend to use the gun in the long term as a target gun and will eventually put it back into hunting duty. I am using it to test the target shooting waters. I may take it to a gunsmith and lower the trigger pull beyond the adjustment I can do myself, but if I buy a target rifle, I’ll leave it since it is good enough for hunting. I am learning a lot. Do you have any experience with the Browning x-bolt Max Long Range? I am thinking maybe that will be my next step in .308 due to the .243 barrel issue. I am a Browning fan for sentimental going back to my younger years with shotguns and the stock loading .22.

The brownings are ok for hunting but when it comes to target shooting youll have to leave the sentimental feelings back in the safe. Theyll never be a target rifle. People are scrutinizing your seating depth and such but without windflags i assure you its a wheel spinning proposition.

 

[CharlieNC]

As mentioned already the statistics associated with making judgements based on group size require quite a larger sample size for most shooters and gear. On the other hand if you judge your target to choose the charge weight based on change in point of impact, the standard ladder test, then the assessment will be much more straight forward.

 

[Florida Wally]

The brownings are ok for hunting but when it comes to target shooting youll have to leave the sentimental feelings back in the safe. Theyll never be a target rifle. People are scrutinizing your seating depth and such but without windflags i assure you its a wheel spinning proposition.

Agreed. I did some research on the effects of wind and understand that without giving due consideration, I will not be isolating one variable.

 

[K22]

Thanks, points well taken. Coincidentally, I have Sierra 85 grain bthp and IMR 4064 coming in the mail tomorrow. Just got the “ be at home to sign for delivery text.” I use IMR 4350 with purple tip 95 grain Nosler for hunting loads, so I have some 4350 to try as well.

I don’t intend to use the gun in the long term as a target gun and will eventually put it back into hunting duty. I am using it to test the target shooting waters. I may take it to a gunsmith and lower the trigger pull beyond the adjustment I can do myself, but if I buy a target rifle, I’ll leave it since it is good enough for hunting. I am learning a lot. Do you have any experience with the Browning x-bolt Max Long Range? I am thinking maybe that will be my next step in .308 due to the .243 barrel issue. I am a Browning fan for sentimental going back to my younger years with shotguns and the stock loading .22.

I don't have an X-Bolt Max Long Range rifle. I do believe that the Browning's are best reserve for hunting applications although if someone has the aforementioned model they may be able to respond relative to this rifle's capabilities as a target rifle. My problem with the Browning's are the triggers, they're ok for hunting but not even close for serious target shooting and are problematic for precision varmint hunting unless you have them reworked by a competent rifle smith - not every smith will work these however, at least in my area.

I'll offer the following suggestion - you may want to consider a Tikka Varmint Model in 223 Rem for target shooting. The trigger, out of the box, is outstanding. After easy adjustment mine breaks at 2 1/4 lbs with no creep or over travel. The extraction system is very reliable. The stock is stiff enough for precision shooting and the raised comb places you eye in good position of the scope. The flat forearm lends itself to bench shooting. I removed mine since I primarily shoot off a shooting stick for varmint / predator hunting.

The 223 Rem has a long barrel life and very economical to reload. The low recoil is also a plus for sustained bench shooting. Mine, out of the box, with little load development grouped in the 1/2 moa range. I'm confident with some more focused load development I can get under 1/2 moa.

 

[Vinootz]

With factory rifles if I shoot 2” groups overall, of 20 rounds fired, I’m good to go out to 400. Everyone likes precision, but then you may need a precise rifle. I’m not into creating extra tasks just to say I shot .5 MOA. Besides, what’s most important to me is that I can hit an 8” target offhand at 200 yards consistently. That to me is real marksmanship. Supported shooting is like using training wheels- lol.