New to .243 Win.

[jdboy]

Like the title says I'm new to the .243 round and reloading for it. I just recently purchased the rifle in my signature. My last varmint/target rifle was a Remington PSS. I reloaded for it but nothing nearly as serious as I'd like to get into with my .243. First question: Is there any was without special tools to find the correct O.A.L for my loads? Second: I've read several posts and I think I'll be settling on either the 87gr. V-Max bullets or 105gr A-Max bullets,any thoughts). Third: Once I've gotten all my brass fire formed to my chamber how do I go about neck sizing and not full length sizing,am I correct in wanting to neck size and not full length)? Thanks everyone who reads and responds to this newb's questions on his quest for accuracy!

 

[fdshuster]

jdboy: No longer have any 243s': had several over the years, but answers still apply to your questions.,1) It's hard to beat the Hornady chamber over-all length gauge to measure throat/seating depth, and to also monitor erosion as it develops. Not perfect, but very repeatable rsults if used with consistancy. Some smoke the bullet, seated out long and close the bolt to complete seating. Some will make a relief cut in a case neck and 'soft seat' by closing the bolt. I'm sure there are other very reliable methods, but I've only used the Stoney Point, now Hornady gauge, so cannot comment on other methods.,2) I have a Savage 12BVSS, originally left the factory chambered in 243 Win., now rechambered to 6BR. Factory barrel is very good with a 1-9.25 twist. Very accurate with bullets of approx. 85 & 87 gr. weight-- never tried anything heavier/longer. Barrel did have the usual reamer & tool marks across the lands & grooves, as seen with my 'Hawkeye'. Was able to clean it up w/ JB bore paste, copper fouling is minimal.,3) You may want to consider the Redding type S neck bushing FL die, the only type I buy now. With it you will be able to neck size to the dimension of your choice,, usually .002' to .003' smaller than loaded round neck dia.), and you will also be blessed with not having to use the inside neck expander, that must be used with a conventional FL die, since it will 'oversize'/squeeze-down the case neck a lot more than is required. As a result the brass is being over-worked and will neck harden & split in a short time. The inside neck expander is also thought to be a cause of loaded round run-out. A long post, I know, sorry: once I get 'wound up' it's difficult to stop. if any questions/comments, feel free to send PM. fdshuster p.s. With the neck bushing die you are still able to FL size/ bump the shoulder back slightly, or neck size only: all depends on the adjustment.

 

[1000yardstare]

Shot a Savage 12FV in F Class all last summer. Very accurate with any bullet, Berger, Sierra, Hornady, Nosler. Best results with the 105s and 107s over compressed loads of slow powders such as RX25, H1000 and Retumbo. 87 Vmax preferred H4350.

Bought a Sinclair COAL tool and am happy with it. You don`t have to drill and tap the primer pocket of a case to use it.

Used .243 RCBS competition dies to reload with good results. No sign of split necks after 8 reloads. Never turned the necks. Cases sorted by weight.

Good luck with your rifle.

 

[jdboy]

I wanted to extend thanks for the quick replies. This is exactly the kind of information I'm looking for.

 

[jdboy]

JD, If your ever looking for a VERY GOOD varmint load try 55NBT & IMR4064 at 3735fps. Shoots flat, low pressure and won't overheat your barrel besides it's hell on prairie dogs. I used it to shoot several thousand out of a stock factory BVSS-243 over the years.

RJ

I've got a couple boxes of 55gr Sierra Blitz Kings and IMR4350 at the moment. I'll look into getting pound of IMR4064,think I've used this in the past for my 220 Swift, I think) and give it a try. So far I've shot factory Winchester 95gr Supremes as well as 55gr Supremes with good luck. I've also got a box of Hornady 58gr V-Max's that came with the rifle that I haven't shot yet. I'd like to get all my brass fire formed to my chamber and then step up to a good sizing die like mentioned in one of the above posts. I've still got several factory loads to go through to give me some nice once fired,in my rifle) brass to work with as well as a ton of used brass I bough off my uncle when he sold me all his .243 reloading supplies.

 

[long40shot]

I have a Rem 700 VLS in 243. It has a 9 1/8 twist, it seems to like the 87 V-Max bullets with H4831SC and it really like the 105 A-Max with H4350. I'm pretty sure that the twist I have is just border line on stabelizing the 105's, but i've shot it out to 600yds and I am getting .5 MOA with perfect little round holes.

 

[jdboy]

I have a Rem 700 VLS in 243. It has a 9 1/8 twist, it seems to like the 87 V-Max bullets with H4831SC and it really like the 105 A-Max with H4350. I'm pretty sure that the twist I have is just border line on stabelizing the 105's, but i've shot it out to 600yds and I am getting .5 MOA with perfect little round holes.

My 12FV is a 9.25 twist but I've read several posts with people having really good luch out of the 105 A-Max bullets with this twist. I'll most likely try the 87 V's and the 105 A's that Horandy offers.

 

[joefish]

hey, long40shot,i have the same, a vls 243.what have u done to
accurize it?

 

[long40shot]

Hello joefish,

I haven't done too much. I free floated the barrel, then I pillar bedded the action and tuned on the trigger. Nothing to complicated, but all combined, they have seemed to help a bunch. I would like to get a nice Jewell trigger, but $$$:,. I am not sure what kind of accuracy to expect at 600yds, but I am happy with the .5 MOA groups I have been getting.

 

[joefish]

a couple of guys told me to free float the barrel first thing, and bedding in a future project. i want to try hand loads first and see how it shoots.

 

[taxman]

I have a Model 70 with a short fat Krieger barrel that loves the 55 grain Blitz Kings with a heavy dose of H414. The barrel is a slow twist 1:13 and Central New York woodchucks turn into red mist when hit with that little pill!!

Tony

 

[constructor]

I have a Rem 700 VLS in 243. It has a 9 1/8 twist, it seems to like the 87 V-Max bullets with H4831SC and it really like the 105 A-Max with H4350. I'm pretty sure that the twist I have is just border line on stabelizing the 105's, but i've shot it out to 600yds and I am getting .5 MOA with perfect little round holes.

Yep 105 Amax and 42.5gr H4350 works great in my 8 twist H.Varmint 27' Krieger. 43.5gr H4350 works with the 95SMKs. Both bullets in the lands .010-.020

 

[243winxb]

The Redding Type-S Full Lenght Sizing Bushing dies that fdshuster uses work well for me also. Some good reading here.http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/GunTech/NewsletterArchive.aspx?p=0&t=1&i=1305&mc_ID=2019 Berger Bullets have produced the best groups for me 68gr FB, 88gr, 90gr hpbt in a 1-10 twist barrel. Using IMR 4350 CCI BR-2 primes. I neck turn the brass for a Rem 40x. The Rem600 carbine accuracy has improved using the Redding die. The die can be used with or without the expander. You will need about 3 bushings.http://www.6mmbr.com/243Win.html