Quickload for .243 ?

[leanporker]

Can anyone with quickload give me a hand? I have a new .243 r25, I will be loading 87 v-max, to 2.710". The barrel is only 20 inches long and 1-10 twist. I have the following powders: benchmark, imr 8208 xbr, imr 4895, imr 4320, imr 4064, varget, h380, imr 4007ssc, imr 4350, rl22. I would try something else if need be, just trying to use what I got. I've got manuals from nosler, speer and the new 2010 hodgdon. But they don't list the 87 v-max. I can try the long way and find the correct load, just thought it would be easier with some of the smart guys on here to save me some time and barrel life to point me in the right direction. I can provide more data if need be. Thanks in advance.

 

[zullo74]

Here are some calculated loads from QL. All at around 50,000 psi chamber pressure.....This should get you started....
IMR 4895..37.5 grs...2922 FPS...50345 psi
RL22 ..46.5 grs...2945 FPS...49903 psi
Varget ..38.0 grs...2859 FPS...50032 psi
H380 ..39.5 grs...2864 FPS...49502 psi

 

[leanporker]

Thanks, Zullo

 

[leanporker]

Just checked the measurement to seat to the lands. It is 2.700", so I think I should shorten it up to around 2.670" to make sure it cycles well. Unless you guys think otherwise.
If the overall length was shortened to 2.670" I would assume the pressures would rise. Would the loads from above still remain under max pressure? I am going to start lower anyway, just curious how much moving it would affect pressure. Would a different powder work better then also? Sorry for all the questions. I have a chrono and will post speeds and accuracy at 100 and 200 yards for those wanting info on the remington r25 .243, I have a range up to 800 yards right outside my back door. I should just buy quickload myself so as to not be such a pain.

 

[zullo74]

If you seat the bullets deeper, the pressures of all listed loads above will rise a little. They still will not be maximum for the cartridge, but you should start a couple of grains lower to be sure they are safe in your gun.

 

[LBEE]

My Sako 243 loves the 87 grain Vmax bullets with 43 grains of IMR4350, very accurate in my rifle may want to try it.

 

[leanporker]

Here are some updates:
Tried the imr 4350 at 42.5, 43.0, 43.5, 44.0, 2.670 oal
best group was with the 43.5 ( 1 inch at 100) the other were 1.25 on either side and 1.5 was the worst for 42.5, velocity varied with the 43.5.. 2950, 2982, 2914, 2900, 2961

Decide to try some imr 4064 at 37.0, 37.5, 38.0, 38.5, 2.670 oal
best group was 38.0 (.6 inch at 100) 4 bullet holes were inside .25 and the last hole pushed the group to .6 could have been me. The velocity was very consistent 2927, 2921, 2925, 2916, 2929

Tried some varget but the velocity kept varying sometimes by as much as 100 fps, worst group was 1.5 inches though at 100 yards

Same thing happened with imr 4895, velocity varied but groups were still within 1.5 inches.

I think I'm going to call it good enough with 38.0 grains of imr 4064 at 2.670 oal and go try them on some coyotes tomorrow. I might try a different powder after the weekend.

Cool thing is I have got my 58 v-max loaded and the point of impact is exactly the same as the 87 v-max at 100 yards. No need to adjust scope. Scope is the nikon coyote 4.5x14x40 with the bdc circles, not sure if I like it yet but have noticed no matter what load I have tried in this r25 it will shoot inside the top circle which is 3 inches diameter at 100. I think I can load about anything in this rifle whithin reason and shoot inside 1.75 inch. Overall good rifle so far.

Can someone check and see if the 38.0 grains imr 4064 are within pressures, 2.670 oal, 20 inch barrel 1-10 twist, rifling is reached with this 87 bullet at 2.700?

 

[zullo74]

It's a stiff load. 53418 psi chamber pressure and 2915 FPS.
I'd back it down 1 grain for 49694 psi and 2848 FPS to be safe.

 

[strobes]

I think this rifle can shoot sub MOA.
OBT calculator shows optimal barrel time 1.095mS
Benchmark load 34.8gr (or 37.4Gr Varget) with .243, 87, Hornady V-MAX 22440 in 20" barrel, 2.7AOL, case capacity 54Gr H2O should give 2784fps (2823fps with varget).
The max pressure expected 48400PSI

http://www.the-long-family.com/optimal%20barrel%20time.htm

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

20" barrel?? Do you carry it in a holster???
It seems like this will be a real challenge getting any velocity and accuracy with an 87gr bullet in a 20" barrel.
What kind of distance are you planning to shoot this gun?
What will it be used for?

 

[leanporker]

This r25 will be used primarily as a coyote hunting rifle. Most shots are inside 200 yards, but if windy conditions or a 400 yard shot is required I thought the 87 v-max might be the way to go. In fact this past Saturday I placed second in a contest of 24 people for the most coyotes in 24 hours. I had 7. 9 won the competition. After looking over the damage to the coyotes, the 87 seems excessive fur damage on the backside. I think I'm going back to the 58 v-max. Can anyone do a quickload for it? Again it's .243 win. , 2.630 oal, rifling is reached at 2.660 on this rifle with this bullet, 20 inch barrel, wichester case, cci 250 primer and the powders I think may work best that I have on hand are: imr 4064, benchmark, imr 3031, imr 4895, varget, or maybe imr 8208xbr. I currently am using imr 8208xbr with 41.5 gr and 58 v-max (naked) and it is shooting .6" consistently at 100. Pressures look o.k. but I haven't shot a lot of these ( maybe 30) and I do not know the exact pressure of this load. I do not have data for imr 8208xbr and after calling hodgdon tech they said it is in the works for .243win development but wouldn't give me any suggestions until the load development testing was finished. I may just try imr 3031 which is what hornady said worked well.