243 yardage

[Silent Shooter]

I have about 3,500 on my Shilen in .243 and counting... It still shoots 1/2 inch groups or better at 100.

[GlennM]

I stifled a gag reflex when someone said the .243's accuracy degrades rapidly past 1K rounds. I've shot competition for over 40 years and one of my mainstay favorites is the .243. One of my old warhorses has over 3,000 rounds of reloads through it and it's still doing very well, thank you very much. 42.50 grains of IMR4350 behind a Sierra matchking 107gr bthp and a Rem 9 1/2 primer doesn't use up the barrel, and it's one of the best loads I've ever worked up harmonically (for my pieces, anyway). Barrels must be kept clean, allowed time to cool properly and treated/handled properly -- especially the crown.

I -did- use up a 6mm PPC to the point it wasn't competitive at the 600m marker, but it'll still drop a coyote at the same yardage -- and it took 4,000 rounds until it started showing significant degradation in its groups. Unless you're splitting hairs or make your living shooting in match competitions, there is way too much fretting and hand wringing regarding shooting out barrels imho.

Things DO wear out... but hopefully you've had alot of fun with them before they do. My car won't run a million miles, my .243's won't shoot a million rounds, and my old bod ain't got a million miles left in it. But I'd rather use'em than let them sit and rot, or go gray(er) sweating about WHEN something's going to wear out.

[Paper]

Originally Posted by GlennM

But I'd rather use'em than let them sit and rot, or go gray(er) sweating about WHEN something's going to wear out.

It's kinda like not driving your car because you'll need to change your oil filter at some point..

[samuel]

GlennM: 42.5gr,s of IMR4350 pushing a 107gr bullet in .243cal is not a mild load.The closest I could come to it was a load in Sierra of 39.6gr of H4350 and that was a green or hot load.The load you state must be one you worked up and would be dangerous for others that dont work up to max for their rifles.Hodgdon states 37.5gr of H4350 builds 50,200 CUP with a 107gr bullet.For others on this forum,I would consider anything over 38gr,s of IMR or H4350 as beyond safe practices. sam.

[Brother Bob]

I never considered the .243 a barrel burner. I've had mine since 82 or 83. Still shoots fine. I probably ran close to 600 rounds through it the first two years I had it, back when a box of ammo was around $10 for it.

[.280Rem]

Originally Posted by samuel

GlennM: 42.5gr,s of IMR4350 pushing a 107gr bullet in .243cal is not a mild load.The closest I could come to it was a load in Sierra of 39.6gr of H4350 and that was a green or hot load.The load you state must be one you worked up and would be dangerous for others that dont work up to max for their rifles.Hodgdon states 37.5gr of H4350 builds 50,200 CUP with a 107gr bullet.For others on this forum,I would consider anything over 38gr,s of IMR or H4350 as beyond safe practices. sam.

That would depend on what velocity it's giving. I ran 42.5grs of H4350 with 100 grain bullets for years. Hodgdon's data says 40grs is max for a 100gr bullet, at 2975fps and 51,000CUP. My 42.5gr load gave just at 2990fps, or essentially the same velocity. Velocity determines pressure with the powder bullet combo, not the powder charge. If 38grs of H4350 and a 107 bullet is giving you 2500fps then it's a light charge. If it's giving around 2800, its probably safe...if it's giving 3100, it's too hot.

[turner]

Originally Posted by Brother Bob

I never considered the .243 a barrel burner. I've had mine since 82 or 83. Still shoots fine. I probably ran close to 600 rounds through it the first two years I had it, back when a box of ammo was around $10 for it.

Hiya Bob, give this a look.....

243 Win 100 gr PSP 2900 fps (20 Rounds) - Wisconsin Cartridge LLC.

[.280Rem]

Originally Posted by turner

Hiya Bob, give this a look.....

243 Win 100 gr PSP 2900 fps (20 Rounds) - Wisconsin Cartridge LLC.

I don't shoot enough to burn up a bbl, but was surprised to learn that the .243 is known to have one of the shorter bbl lives of the many cartridges.

[turner]

Originally Posted by .280Rem

I don't shoot enough to burn up a bbl, but was surprised to learn that the .243 is known to have one of the shorter bbl lives of the many cartridges.

You...and me, both! I used to have a very nice pre 64' mod 70 Featherweight in .243 that never (for me) shot particularly well. It was in excellent condition and hadn't been hunted with very much, for sure. But, I wonder now if it had been shot a lot at the range.

[samuel]

Originally Posted by .280Rem

That would depend on what velocity it's giving. I ran 42.5grs of H4350 with 100 grain bullets for years. Hodgdon's data says 40grs is max for a 100gr bullet, at 2975fps and 51,000CUP. My 42.5gr load gave just at 2990fps, or essentially the same velocity. Velocity determines pressure with the powder bullet combo, not the powder charge. If 38grs of H4350 and a 107 bullet is giving you 2500fps then it's a light charge. If it's giving around 2800, its probably safe...if it's giving 3100, it's too hot.

I was not doubting what he posted in #22.I was only stating that several load books had a much lower max load than that and cautioning other loaders to work up to max loads.Also I advised that I considered that load as being on the dangerous side.Iwas going on Hodgdons load in their manual:24"bbl, 107gr bthp,H4350 powder,starting load-35gr,fps-2671fps,CUP-431000. Max load,37.5gr H4350,fps 2800fps,Cup,50200.The only point I have is I don't want someone hurt.I could care less about how much you personally push the envelope. sam.

[Silent Shooter]

pre 64' mod 70 Featherweight

Doesn't take too many rapid fire range sessions of cooking the barrel to ruin one of those...

[turner]

Originally Posted by Silent Shooter

Doesn't take too many rapid fire range sessions of cooking the barrel to ruin one of those...

Maybe so..... It sure was a very nice looking and handling rifle though. I kept it maybe 5 yrs or so and traded it for a gorgeous older Sako (FN) in .270. So, I'd suppose everyone is smilin' now...lol

[.280Rem]

Originally Posted by samuel

I was not doubting what he posted in #22.I was only stating that several load books had a much lower max load than that and cautioning other loaders to work up to max loads.Also I advised that I considered that load as being on the dangerous side.Iwas going on Hodgdons load in their manual:24"bbl, 107gr bthp,H4350 powder,starting load-35gr,fps-2671fps,CUP-431000. Max load,37.5gr H4350,fps 2800fps,Cup,50200.The only point I have is I don't want someone hurt.I could care less about how much you personally push the envelope. sam.

Im not talking about pushing the envelope though. Simply stating how to read the data. If "Max load,37.5gr H4350,fps 2800fps,Cup,50200." gives 2800fps in your gun, then you're right on. If it gives 2600, then it's also giving lower pressure most likely, and you can work up to 2800, even if it takes you up to 39 or 39.5grs. Keep the velocity at @2800 with H4350, and you'll be safe whether its with 35 or 39 grains. Pushing the envelope would be if you got 2800 with 36 grains, and saying you can go higher becaause the max listed load says 37.5grs is max. You hit 2800, you're at max, even if you're below the max listed powder charge. Same rules apply if you're below that velocity.

[GlennM]

My old Pact chrono showed that load running right @ 2875. I've always kept my .243's under 3K p/s for the barrel / throat considerations. I'd like them to last at least as long as my heart will. My sons can cuss me for shooting them out when they inherit'em.

[samuel]

Originally Posted by .280Rem

Im not talking about pushing the envelope though. Simply stating how to read the data. If "Max load,37.5gr H4350,fps 2800fps,Cup,50200." gives 2800fps in your gun, then you're right on. If it gives 2600, then it's also giving lower pressure most likely, and you can work up to 2800, even if it takes you up to 39 or 39.5grs. Keep the velocity at @2800 with H4350, and you'll be safe whether its with 35 or 39 grains. Pushing the envelope would be if you got 2800 with 36 grains, and saying you can go higher becaause the max listed load says 37.5grs is max. You hit 2800, you're at max, even if you're below the max listed powder charge. Same rules apply if you're below that velocity.

That is right,but where the problem is.a lot of people dont know how to work up a load and might decide they can start with a load that is listed max in the load book or as in this case over what is listed.The better share of my rifles I use are custom barrels,not out of the box,with tight chamber tollerance and max is usually below the max in the load books.The confusing part is you never know if the loadbook is using a test barrel with a tight chamber or mfg,d rifle with standard chamber.It is confusing unless you work up to max. sam.

[sc928porsche]

I have a 22-06. Barrel life isn't very high, but then again I don't shoot it too often. When I do take it out, it is a lot of fun, and I get a lot of people looking at it.

[Brother Bob]

I guess my definition of a "shot-out" barrel is the .45 I shot in the Navy. You could have dropped a bullet down the barrel. LOL! You were lucky to hit a barn from 25 ft. away, much less a paper target!

[.280Rem]

Originally Posted by samuel

That is right,but where the problem is.a lot of people dont know how to work up a load and might decide they can start with a load that is listed max in the load book or as in this case over what is listed.The better share of my rifles I use are custom barrels,not out of the box,with tight chamber tollerance and max is usually below the max in the load books.The confusing part is you never know if the loadbook is using a test barrel with a tight chamber or mfg,d rifle with standard chamber.It is confusing unless you work up to max. sam.

Agree.

[Wingwiper]

If 150 yards is the max YOU will be shooting, then the 100 yards is the best choice for sighting. It doesn't matter what the rifle is good for or the cartridge it is what you are able to shoot at. Not everyone has OPEN plains and not everyone has Woods. If your ability drops at more than 150 yards than measuring the drop in inches is almost immaterial if you can't hit the target or see the target. one inch bullet variation at 150 yards over 100 yards is within what most shooters are able to maintain and if you add that to the bullet variation, you have a total of 2 inches, well within the ability to maintain a HEAD SHOT.

[Purdy]

[quote=Bravo;502474]Zeroing at 100 yards will cause a 2.5" to 3" low shot at 200 yards.

Zeroing at 200 yards will only put you about 1.4" high at 100 yards.


There are lots of things that would affect "zero" Your figures could be right or not even close. Things like bullet wt, muzzle velocity, and height of scope above bore all affect the so called drop figures.