New .243

[PepeLp]

Picked up one of the Rem 700 .243's on closeout at WalMart. Cut the barrel to 18", threaded it, crowned it, screwed on a suppressor, and stuck it in an old McMillan stock,no bedding). Started some load work with the 87gr. VMax, and from 43.0 to 45.0 grains of H414, it shot consistent 5/8" groups,three shot). That's about as good as I can shoot, so I'm pretty happy. I also adjusted the trigger to a decent 2.25 pounds.

My only problem is the velocity is only 3,050fps. I'm going to drop to a 75gr. VMax and see what it will do.

Not bad for A $325 rifle.

 

[AckleymanII]

I hope that you are wearing electronic ear muffs or Walker Game ears when you are hunting...just a word of caution.

Best of luck in your hunting, that sure sounds like a sweet shooting gun!

 

[thane]

I am not understanding why you shortened your barrel to 18".
This is why your only getting 3050 fps. A 6mmbr can produce that
velocity with that bullet and only use 30 gr. of powder.
My rifle started with a .243 win. as well and then I rechambered
to 6mmbr because my barrels were only 22" long. I lost an inch
of length from rechambering so now it's 21". I normaly shoot
75 v-max at 3200 fps very acurately out to 400 yds Without the recoil and all that noise.

 

[people]

That is not so bad of a speed for 18 inch tubes. Can you try a slightly faster powder? That may pick your speed up a little. Just be sure to follow the book and be safe. What kind of suppressor are you using?

 

[PepeLp]

Shortened the barrel to 18" because the suppressor adds 7.5". Don't want to carry the equivalent of a 31.5" barrel around. This isn't a range gun, I live on a ranch and carry it a lot. Those 15 pound guns with long barrels are fun to shoot, but try packing them around all day.

I'm using an SRT .30 caliber suppressor. It's not as quiet as it is on a .308 with a 20" barrel, but it's comfortable without earplugs.

I've got a .243AI with a 26" barrel that I've been carrying in the pickup. It pushes the 87gr. VMax around 3,400 fps. I've been really happy with that. It shoots flat and hits hard. I'm going to try the 75gr. VMax and see what I can get out of that. I don't want to go any lighter with the bullet.

 

[thane]

I understand.
I wasn,t aware that suppressors were legal in the U.S. Here in canada they are prohibited. I would love to know how they work.
I would build a muzzle brake that has some sound dissapating qualities. These days when you have a lot of city people living
in the rural area, it is not hard to aggrivate a few people when
ground hog shooting.

 

[people]

I really would like one but at this point I just can not justify it. I am glad you like yours.