M77 Mark II .243 55gr Accuracy

TikkaTakDriver · 09-10-2008, 09:28 PM

I have a M77 Mark II in .243 with what i believe is a 1:9 twist. I can't get the light bullets(55gr) to shoot inside of about 2 1/2 groups at 100 yds. Does anyone else have this problem with this particular gun, or even a .243 with the same rate of twist? If i can't find a solution i think i'll just get a 22-250 for a yote killer(I know i don't need a barrel burner but i want to use one!) and keep the .243 for another deer gun. Thanks.

nathangdad · 09-10-2008, 10:23 PM

the .243 is designed for slightly heavier bullets. Try some various bullet weights beginning with 90 grains. I believe you will find a great improvement in accuracy.

Sooner Shooter · 09-10-2008, 10:48 PM

Like Nathan said the typical 243 is designed for 85 or 90 to 105 gr. with the 1:9. To shoot the 243 accurately with something like a 55 you'd probably have to have something like a 1:13 or 14 which would have to be custom. Well, I don't know of any manufactures that mass produce them with that kind of twist. I have tried the 55 in my Remington 700 and while getting 4020 fps I sure don't get the sub moa that my 105 Speer spitzer gets.

TikkaTakDriver · 09-11-2008, 07:42 PM

Yea i understand that it handles heavier bullets better, but i was curious if the light bullets have been a problem for other people consistently. I priced a few custom barrels with a 1:14 and i was lookin at just about the price of the gun all over again just for a new barrel. I believe i'll start looking for a solid 22-250 for my 4000 fps desire. Thanks!

dmwphoto · 09-11-2008, 08:00 PM

My Winchester Model 70 Coyote in .243 handles the 55 gr very nicely. I am not sure of the twist rate top of mind but will check.

Onesonek · 09-11-2008, 09:01 PM

For curiosity sake, try shooting them at longer range. In some cases, what you are could be experiencing with an overstabilized bullet, it hasn't had chance to "sleep" as it is sometimes called. Basically it takes time for the yaw to be eliminated.
I have seen on more than one occasion, where light bullet/fast twist shoot rather meagerly at short to modest range, and then shoot quite well at longer ranges.

Dave

TikkaTakDriver · 09-14-2008, 10:51 AM

Thanks, i will try the long range shooting and see what i can produce.

DaTeacha · 09-14-2008, 12:40 PM

If you really like the lightweight bullets in .24 caliber and don't mind messing with things some or going to shows on a long search, try to find a .244 Remington -- either a barrel or the whole gun. I had a 77 in 6mm Rem (which has a twist for heavier bullets compared to the .244) and could get dime size groups at 100 yds with the 85 grn Sierra HPBT.

The .244 was designed originally for the lightweight bullets like the 55 grn. The 6mm is the same case but in rifles with a different twist. It essentially replaced the .244 when the earlier guns developed a bad reputation for accuracy with the heavier bullets and the chambering didn't sell well. It never caught up to the .243 after the slow start. You can get more powder in the .244/6mm case than the .243, just in case you decide you want to push the bullets faster.

TikkaTakDriver · 09-15-2008, 08:58 PM

Thanks for the info on the .244. I'll definitely research them. I've just got a huge desire for a very fast very accurate round and that sounds like it would be worth a gander.

TikkaTakDriver · 09-22-2008, 12:59 PM

Onesonek,
I went ahead and tried sighting it in with the 55gr at 200 yards instead of 100 and still no dice. I've been trying to find a .243 win. or a .243 WSSM with a little longer twist than a 1:10 but am having no luck. If anyone knows where I could find something like this i would be more than happy to know.

Adam

09-10-2008, 09:28 PM	#1
TikkaTakDriver Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: La Grange, NC Posts: 49 Images: 3	M77 Mark II .243 55gr Accuracy I have a M77 Mark II in .243 with what i believe is a 1:9 twist. I can't get the light bullets(55gr) to shoot inside of about 2 1/2 groups at 100 yds. Does anyone else have this problem with this particular gun, or even a .243 with the same rate of twist? If i can't find a solution i think i'll just get a 22-250 for a yote killer(I know i don't need a barrel burner but i want to use one!) and keep the .243 for another deer gun. Thanks.

09-10-2008, 10:23 PM	#2
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,833	A little bit of research leads us to realize the .243 is designed for slightly heavier bullets. Try some various bullet weights beginning with 90 grains. I believe you will find a great improvement in accuracy.

09-10-2008, 10:48 PM	#3
Sooner Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 667	Like Nathan said the typical 243 is designed for 85 or 90 to 105 gr. with the 1:9. To shoot the 243 accurately with something like a 55 you'd probably have to have something like a 1:13 or 14 which would have to be custom. Well, I don't know of any manufactures that mass produce them with that kind of twist. I have tried the 55 in my Remington 700 and while getting 4020 fps I sure don't get the sub moa that my 105 Speer spitzer gets. __________________ Save the drama for your mama!

09-14-2008, 12:40 PM	#8
DaTeacha Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: near Funk, Ohio Posts: 452	If you really like the lightweight bullets in .24 caliber and don't mind messing with things some or going to shows on a long search, try to find a .244 Remington -- either a barrel or the whole gun. I had a 77 in 6mm Rem (which has a twist for heavier bullets compared to the .244) and could get dime size groups at 100 yds with the 85 grn Sierra HPBT. The .244 was designed originally for the lightweight bullets like the 55 grn. The 6mm is the same case but in rifles with a different twist. It essentially replaced the .244 when the earlier guns developed a bad reputation for accuracy with the heavier bullets and the chambering didn't sell well. It never caught up to the .243 after the slow start. You can get more powder in the .244/6mm case than the .243, just in case you decide you want to push the bullets faster. __________________ Teach

09-11-2008, 07:42 PM	#4
TikkaTakDriver Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: La Grange, NC Posts: 49 Images: 3	Yea i understand that it handles heavier bullets better, but i was curious if the light bullets have been a problem for other people consistently. I priced a few custom barrels with a 1:14 and i was lookin at just about the price of the gun all over again just for a new barrel. I believe i'll start looking for a solid 22-250 for my 4000 fps desire. Thanks!

09-11-2008, 08:00 PM	#5
dmwphoto Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 243	My Winchester Model 70 Coyote in .243 handles the 55 gr very nicely. I am not sure of the twist rate top of mind but will check.

09-11-2008, 09:01 PM	#6
Onesonek Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pipestone, MN. Posts: 434	For curiosity sake, try shooting them at longer range. In some cases, what you are could be experiencing with an overstabilized bullet, it hasn't had chance to "sleep" as it is sometimes called. Basically it takes time for the yaw to be eliminated. I have seen on more than one occasion, where light bullet/fast twist shoot rather meagerly at short to modest range, and then shoot quite well at longer ranges. Dave

09-14-2008, 10:51 AM	#7
TikkaTakDriver Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: La Grange, NC Posts: 49 Images: 3	Thanks, i will try the long range shooting and see what i can produce.

09-15-2008, 08:58 PM	#9
TikkaTakDriver Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: La Grange, NC Posts: 49 Images: 3	Thanks for the info on the .244. I'll definitely research them. I've just got a huge desire for a very fast very accurate round and that sounds like it would be worth a gander.

09-22-2008, 12:59 PM	#10
TikkaTakDriver Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: La Grange, NC Posts: 49 Images: 3	Onesonek, I went ahead and tried sighting it in with the 55gr at 200 yards instead of 100 and still no dice. I've been trying to find a .243 win. or a .243 WSSM with a little longer twist than a 1:10 but am having no luck. If anyone knows where I could find something like this i would be more than happy to know. Adam