AAHHH..going nuts...HELP PLEASE .243 load

[BgBmBoo]

Ok...I am going nuts hear trying o find a load that shoots well in my short barrel (16 1/2") .243. It has a 1:10 twist barrel.

And since I can not find much in the way of powder variety, I am using RL-15 right now. I have Hornady 75gr HP, 75 gr. Vmax, and 87gr Vmax bullets.
So far my best load is 32.5gn with the 87gr Vmax. My best 100yrd five shot group is 1" plus. I went up to 35.0gn but it opened up to about 1 1/2".

Now with factory Hornady 75gr HP ammo the rifle with me driving will shoot 1/2" and under.
I can't get the 75gr to group for anything.

So...PLEASE...oh mighty reloading guru's...PLEASE give me some input/advice on WTF to do.

Take care,Stan

 

[Criver600]

Re: AAHHH..going nuts...HELP PLEASE .243 load

Stan
Here is a shitload of data courtesy of Hodgdon. With your short barrel I would try a few propellents on the faster side, N-135 etc
75 GR. HDY HP Hodgdon H414 .243" 2.640" 42.0 3203 41,100 CUP 46.0 3447 50,100 CUP
75 GR. HDY HP Winchester 760 .243" 2.640" 42.0 3203 41,100 CUP 46.0 3447 50,100 CUP
75 GR. HDY HP IMR IMR 4007 SSC .243" 2.640" 42.3 3198 45,700 CUP 45.0 3391 51,100 CUP
75 GR. HDY HP Hodgdon H380 .243" 2.640" 40.0 3127 42,700 CUP 44.5 3393 48,600 CUP
75 GR. HDY HP Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.640" 36.0 3246 45,000 CUP 38.5 3408 50,500 CUP
75 GR. HDY HP IMR IMR 4320 .243" 2.640" 37.7 3180 43,500 CUP 41.5 3420 50,600 CUP
75 GR. HDY HP IMR IMR 4064 .243" 2.640" 37.5 3183 43,300 CUP 41.2 3419 50,300 CUP
75 GR. HDY HP Hodgdon BL-C(2) .243" 2.640" 34.0 3041 45,100 CUP 37.5 3185 49,200 CUP
75 GR. HDY HP IMR IMR 4895 .243" 2.640" 37.5 3198 44,200 CUP 41.7 3423 50,400 CUP
75 GR. HDY HP Hodgdon H4895 .243" 2.640" 34.0 3101 40,900 CUP 38.0 3354 49,400 CUP
75 GR. HDY HP IMR IMR 3031 .243" 2.640" 33.2 3061 41,800 CUP 36.7 3298 49,800 CUP

 

[desertHK]

Re: AAHHH..going nuts...HELP PLEASE .243 load

According to my Lyman manual the RL15 is not on the list. However, it doesn't mean that it can't be done. It says that Varget is the most accurate load for the 75 HP.

I also have a problem with the 243 also. But I use 105 grains bullets. I find that N550 is gives the best velocity and accuracy. Try to reply with something a bit cheaper but unsuccessful. Have tried RL22, 25 , 15. Not even close.

Anyway, hope that helps.

 

[shpanther]

Re: AAHHH..going nuts...HELP PLEASE .243 load

The last time I chased my tail on a factory load was hell.

I had 300fps more speed but could'nt equal the groups.The salvation was a comparator and seating to the factory ogive depth/length.After trying everything else.

H-414 will be your new best friend.

 

[Shady_Jay]

Re: AAHHH..going nuts...HELP PLEASE .243 load

Varget has pretty much the same burn rate as RE15.. use the same numbers to experiment

With a barrel that short though, you may want to try a faster buring powder.

 

[Larry Burchfield]

Re: AAHHH..going nuts...HELP PLEASE .243 load

243 loads
My Remington 700 ADL likes IMR4350 and 100 grain bullets. I've had great luck with the bulk remington core lock bullets. Also IMR4895 works well but not as good as the other .
larryj

 

[RH4540]

Re: AAHHH..going nuts...HELP PLEASE .243 load

My .243 was a pain in the ass to find a varmint load for too.

My "hunting" load was a Nosler 95 grain partition, with IMR 4350 behind it, and it would do about 1/2" at 100 yards.

For a varmint load, I tried a pile of different loads, and couldn't find one that would do under an inch at 100 yards, and had actually given up, but, needed some ammo for a prairie dog shoot and when I went down to my local gunshop for supplies, the only bullets he had were Sierra 70 grain, and the only powder he had was 760. I just threw toghther a load, and the SOB shoots well under 1/2" at 100 yards.

Good luck!!

 

[ARCOREY]

Re: AAHHH..going nuts...HELP PLEASE .243 load

I've had good luck with IMR 4064 in a friends short barreled Rem. 788 using the 65gr.v-max, 75 gr. v-max, and 70 gr. NBT. I believe it is twisted 9.25". Maybe you should have Amber bless it like she did some of the rifles in the Hot Girlfriends thread

.

 

[BgBmBoo]

Re: AAHHH..going nuts...HELP PLEASE .243 load

HK...I am using the Hornady manual for the Hornady bullets and that is where I got the load data.

shpanther...I do use a comparator and have the cartridge setup pretty close to the factory stuff that shoots so well out of this rifle. The issue is I can only find a few options for powder that is in stock. I took apart one of the Hornady rounds and I believe they are using IMR 4831 as their powder...it is the only powder in the reloading manual that is spot on for the weight and velocity.

But...again...I can not find IMR 4831 in stock anywhere.

Arcorey...she blesses ALL my sticks!! LOL

Take care,Stan

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: AAHHH..going nuts...HELP PLEASE .243 load

Stan,

I recently worked up a load with the 75 grain V-max using R19 powder and 210M's. It's a little slower powder, but it worked well. The charge was in the 47+ grain range (I can't rememeber off the top of my head). Since you have a shorter barrel, and the faster powders are not shooting well for you, I would go to a slower powder. 4831 would be good, as well as 4350. If you can get R19, give it a try.

Chad

 

[ARCOREY]

Re: AAHHH..going nuts...HELP PLEASE .243 load

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BgBmBoo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Arcorey...she blesses ALL my sticks!! LOL

Take care,Stan </div></div>

If she blessed me like that I wouldn't be able to hit the broad side of a barn,

. Can she unbless them?
I've had decent luck with BL-C(2) in the same 788. Have you tried 70 gr. boolits like the Sierra's or the NBT's? My SPS seems to like certain 70's over a 75 and then liked the 87's. What other powders do you have to choose from in your inventory? Do you have access to a chronograph ? Maybe the main difference is velocity.