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Load for long range shooting .243

MCSO1357

Teaching the rookies to walk down the mountain
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Jul 9, 2008
    2,280
    3,062
    Iowa
    I'm looking to develop a load for my .243 and was wondering if anybody has any good money loads for shooting long range. I've always been partial to SMK's. (I'm in Iowa, so long range = 500 yards) Thanks!
     
    What twist barrel are you running? 500 yards is not a long drive with a .243 but loads of fun none the less. 95 gr sierras over varget will get it done easily at this distance.
     
    I love the 105 hybrids and 105 hpbt..... I load both at 43 gr of h4350 and then adjust seating depth to find the closest group. We are getting a lil over 3200 fps w/ this load.
     
    I run 39gr of H4350 with 105 AMAX at 2925fps. Shoots sub MOA at 500. I believe that is close to Sierras accuracy load for the 107 smk.
     
    Thanks for quick replies. I should have mentioned Remington SPS Varmint barrel, twist is 1-9.
     
    It is actually a 1 in 9 1/8 th twist.

    Held on to my factory pipe after re-barreling, it will stabilize the 105 a-max if u push it hard enough. Try 43.5 of imr 4350 jump me about .040 and work your charge up until groups tighten up. Shot many a 1/4 moa Groups with that combo.

    Jake
     
    I have a 1 in 9 and have tried like hell to get it to like the 107 grain SMK's (#1537) , but to no avail. I moved back to the 95 grain SMK's and they work like a charm, but I don't have any experience part 400 yards. My standard pill for 200 yards is the 87 grain Hornady BTHP (#2442). I tried some target bullets from Berger (the 105 Hybrid Match), but couldn't get those to stabilize either. After a chat with the CS reps at last year's NRA convention, I was told it really need a 1 in 8 twist to stabilize. My next step is getting a 1.7.25 barrel for my rig.
     
    The 105 Berger hybrid will not stabilize in the factory twist, been there... But the 105 a-max shoot awesome.

    My new 8 twist Kreiger shoots the 105 hybrids lights out
     
    105 amax h1000 magnum primers shoot great in my factory varmint 700

    using hornady brass im at 46.9 grains of powder with a velocity avg of 3080 fps
     
    Rem 700 gap worked over with 26 inch 7.7 twist tube McMillan a5

    Win brass
    115 bn coated DTac
    Fed 215 primer
    RL-25 47.2 gr
    This is safe in my rifle work up to it in yours etc. I'm getting sub moa out past 600 no problem 3050 ish fps this load can go much further at these numbers
     
    Shot from a Lothar Walther barrel, ( a pre fit for a Sav. ) 28", SS, 1 in 8 twist:

    Win. brass, fully prepped, but not culled for weigh.
    Fed. primer
    SMK, 107gr.
    H 1000, 44.5gr.
    .015 from a "firm" jam.
    Shoots sub moa.
     
    I like 43.5gr of IMR-4350 and a 87gr V-max which would work in your barrel. My .243 now has a 1:8 twist barrel and I shoot 105gr Hybrids with 45.5gr N160 moly coated go about 3,300 fps and work really nice at 1000yds. Swap with a 105gr Hunting VLD and this is the load that John Whidden uses.
     
    105 amax h1000 magnum primers shoot great in my factory varmint 700

    using hornady brass im at 46.9 grains of powder with a velocity avg of 3080 fps

    What brass and what COAL? Gotta be fairly long as 45.5 in my Lapua cases is a slight crunch with my COAL. I don't know what mine is off the top of my head but its not a factory barrel so it is on the shorter side.