Varmint bullet/load for .243 with 1:8 26" barrel

[mattri]

Have a .243 with a Shilen 26" 1:8 barrel. It shoots the heavier bullets like a dream.

Would like to work up a good long range pd/coyote round. Looking at the 87grn V-Max, anyone shooting this bullet out of a similar barrel?

Are the 65/75grn bullets too light? Any and all info welcome.

 

[RonAKA]

Your issue is likely to be getting the lighter and shorter bullets out to the lands, if you don't want a jump. A boat tail design and/or a low drag profile make this issue worse. Berger 80 grains get a good name for handling the fast spin while retaining accuracy. They shoot well for me in a 12 twist, and have lots of length compared to the others I have tried. The 75 grain V-max gets lots of recommendations, but I have not tried them yet. With the boat tail they may be getting a little short for my gun.

 

[mattri]

thanks for the reply. Just tried some 75grn V-max's and had 2.5-3" groups at 225 yards. Wife's hunting load shoots in the .6's at the same range. Was using 39-41grns of IMR4064 seated into the lands to try to get a basic baseline. At first blush it looks like this was too fast for this bullet/barrel/load combo. Having taken a harder look at the 87grn V-Max it looks like the way to go.

 

[Ksmirk]

Be careful to not drive them too fast! I got stupid one day and was spinning bullets apart. Later,

Kirk

 

[mattri]

What load were you using?

 

[Woodchuck6]

I never tried the 87 gr V-Max, but found excellent accuracy and downrange performance with the 75 gr V-Max through a 24" Kreiger w/ 1:10.

Are you against using a slower powder? My best loads are with IMR 4831 and R - 19 respectively. I haven't tried IMR 4064, yet.

 

[WyleWD]

I have a 9 twist. With the 87gr it likes R-17 and N-550. Start around 39-40gr and work your way up from there.

My 10 twist loves the 75gr V max. It too likes the N-550 and the reloader 17 best. Started around 41 gr and worked my way up to around 43 -44gr. I use Norma cases and either CCI or Rem 9 1/2 primers. The 75 is absolutely RUDE on 'chucks and 'yotes.

Good luck and be careful. WD

 

[OKIE2]

I have never had a problem with this load for varmits.
This is a 10 shot group.

 

[alf]

It shoots the heavier bullets like a dream.

Would like to work up a good long range pd/coyote round.

There's your answer right there. Just do it all with a 105 A-Max.

 

[mattri]

Great shooting okie2!

I very well may use the heavier bullets for everything, just trying to get a feel for what she likes. Tried some 70grn Noslers and they did great. When I get the chance going to load up some 108grn Bergers and see how they do.

 

[Kenny474]

While I haven't done a ton of load work with my .243, I have had some good luck with the 80gr Berger FB Varmint bullets from my Savage 110 in .243 (older model). They just plain shoot from my factory Savage sporter barrel, usually in the range of .5MOA out to 300yds until it gets hot, which is impressive in my book for a factory pencil barrel.

My load for the 80gr Berger FB is 41grs of IMR4320, .010 into the lands GM210M primer. I have used CCI BR-2's with this load, and they also worked well.

The same load also shoots extremely well with 80gr Nosler BT Varmint's, except I jump those .010.
Velocity for both is right around 3300.
This gun has shot every weight of Nosler BT I have tried in it, they are definitely worth a try.


I have also had good accuracy from Hornady 87gr SP's using 44grs of H4350 with .015 jump and GM210M primers. They usually hold around .75MOA, and hit hard as well, pretty much destroying woodchucks. Velocity around 3200fps. Very fun bullet on varmints, as they are designed for rapid expansion.