Predator max 1 243 zero and break in

[Newbee]

How's the terminal performance of the amax? I'd assume adequate or you wouldn't be using right? Have you experienced any failures on game? I'd assume it would be more of potential issue close in than at range?

[bama1]

My winter shooting is mainly at deer but I do shoot at range to verify poi.
I'm at 285 ft. so there is quiet a bit of difference between us. I basically only use Bergers in the 243 and 260 for hunting. I use the 178 amax in a 308. It is excellent for deer. I don't use 140 amax in 260 for deer. It doesn't perform well in this caliber. All 243 amax kills were neck shots and did their job.

[bama1]

Yes mine is the max 1 with 24" barrel. I have the 12 LRP in the 260. Bought the 243 for my daughter but I took it over!

[Westcliffe01]

So here are 2 calculations run with Bergers own stability calculator based on data you have provided

summer conditions as reported
http://www.fotoshack.us/fotos/23941stability1.jpg

Winter conditions assuming 20f ambient
http://www.fotoshack.us/fotos/60922stability2.jpg

What I can say is that my own model 12 LPV with its 26" barrel was not driving the 95gr bergers well enough to group as well as the 95gr SST's I had been shooting.

If we make that comparison, the 95 gr VLD is in the marginal stability range whereas the SST is at 1.5 due to being shorter.
http://www.fotoshack.us/fotos/40299stability3.jpg

I'm afraid there was guaranteed no way I could be running a 105gr VLD here in MI in our winter conditions, and I do a lot of my testing in winter so that I have no surprises. In summer I shoot my 223 and 8x57 to stay in practice...

[bama1]

What gets me is the 260 with the 1-8 twist that is suppose to shoot the 140's will not. (my rifle)
The 130 berger in it is a very bad boy. I'm not disputing any data,by any means, but the gun made to shoot a certain bullet won't and the one not made for it will.
One other note on my 243, the blue box Federal 100 grains will one hole. Cheap, accurate, and I load 100 grain Sierra Gamekings to match it with the used brass. What's not to like.

[wbm]

I'm not disputing any data,by any means, but the gun made to shoot a certain bullet won't and the one not made for it will.

Go figure! That is frustrating for sure.

If you Google Savage .243 105 Amax, you find guys who say "my Savage will not shoot those" and guys who say "mine shoots those great."

I guess we just assume that a barrel twist listed as 1-9.25 for a Savage .243 for example is actually always 1-9.25. But I wonder if it is possible that they could be faster or slower sometimes? Don't know the answer to that one.

Also, I live at 7000 feet and the humidity here is most often 16-35 percent....it definitely makes a difference when you are shooting bullets like the 105 Amax with a 1-9.25 twist. When I am posting a load that shoots great out of my Savage I guess I should add that bit of information.