stevens 200 .243 doesnt like 70 or 75grn bullets

[mattri]

Bought a Stevens 200 a couple of months ago and have been very happy with it.

Loaded some 87grn Sierra MKs and they hovered just under .5, same with 100grn Hornady rnfbs, Hornady 58 grn Vmaxs are just over .25.

Tried 75grn Vmaxs and 70grn Nosler bts and it won't shoot either of them under.5.
Have tried all kinds of loads with multiple powders and it just doesn't like them.

This isn't a complaint, it shoots enough other stuff well enough that I'm not worried about it.

Just seems kind of strange.

[dcloco]

Try shooting a group at 200 yards with these bullets to see how they group. Don't ever give up on a bullet that does not group at 100. Try them at 200 or 300 yards before going to something else.

[DGD6MM]

Nope it's not strange, it's actually common. Most barrels will not shoot every weight and type bullet you put down it. This is still your factory barrel is it not?

[scott597]

i have same gun and it also seems to realy like the 58gr. v-max's.

[mattri]

Yes it is the factory barrel, this was the reccomended bullet for this barrel.

[DGD6MM]

Try the longer distances and if it does not work then maybe someone else can reccomend another bullet weight. I've never shot anything lighter then 100 grains in a .243, my knowledge is only from what I've read, which is usually good info from those that have been there and done that. Not trying to be a smart alleck.

[trappst]

this was the reccomended bullet for this barrel.

If memory serves me (not always the case), Savage uses a 70g Nosler load to test fire the 243 win. Actually, I think the list of test ammo is listed in the back of the owner's manual.

Have you tried IMR 4064?

By all means, stick with what works though!

[DGD6MM]

mattri you and trappst are correct. I went into one of my manuals and it is there in black and white 70 grain Nosler's. I just bought a .243 model 10 last weekend and I also have a brandnew .243 Stevens barrel in the closet. Working on an order for reloading and I'll be getting some 70 or 75 grain bullets. Powder will be Ramshot Big Game and Hunter, I'll run it on Quickload to start out. Last month I built 22-250's with a 55 grain bullet with Ramshot B.G. that shot outstanding out to 600 yards. I got the load off Quickload. I believe these powders have been overlooked somewhat. Well I must say I enjoy learning something new everyday. ;D

[mattri]

Went out today with the 58grn Vmax loads. Out to 350-400 yards the pds didn't have a chance. When you walked up to them you were lucky to find a head attached to a body. In a strong (20-25mph) crosswind at 300 yards I was holding about 1.5 into the wind.

Anybody want some 70grn Nosler bts?

[trappst]

How many ya got?

[mattri]

Pds? Honestly don't know. We use the .17 for the close stuff and the .243 for the reachers. Prob 25-30 if I had to guess.