Savage 116 in 243

[LittleJohn]

Put one on layaway and can't wait to pick it up. I have a savage 243 in a choate stock with a 8.5x25 mil dot by Mueller on it, and that gun is the best shooting rifle I have ever owned. Way too heavy to carry for coyotes, so I went with the 116 in 243. Going to top it off with a sightron 3x9 mildot for my carry rifle for coyotes. I am considering wither the 87 vmax or the 105 amax bullets for it....any suggestions? It has the 1 in 9.25 twist. Thanks

LittleJohn

[scope eye]

I would go with the 87s and a healthy load of H414, W760, or CFE223.

Dean

[LoneWolf]

I like the 105 AMAX in my 8 twist at 26". I'm pushing them to 3025fps using H4350. Within 600yds it's pretty hard to miss unless you have some serious or unpredictable winds. They also shoot very well out to 1000yds without issue. I've been using them for competition for some time now and they haven't held me back at all.

[LittleJohn]

I have some 105 amax molys laying around that I will try in it....i shoot 87s and 75s in my heavy 243 but it is a 1 in 10 twist ...it wont shoot the 105s....keyholes em no matter how fast I push them

[LoneWolf]

I wouldn't mess around with the Moly's as most barrels don't like to switch back and forth between coated and uncoated bullets. I played with the BN coated 115 DTACs in a 7 twist for a little while and have to scrub it pretty good to get the 105 bergers to shoot after switching. Plus the coating kept gumming up my seater die which was extremely aggravating.

[scope eye]

Those 105s really have a long bearing surface.

Dean

[LoneWolf]

I haven't remeasured in 700rds, but I started .020 off the lands at 2.75 COAL. I haven't had to seat them out any further yet as they continue to shoot tight. Also with the same charge the 105 Hybrid was going 2965 where the 105 AMAX is getting 3025. I'd imagine this is due to the long bearing surface adding some additional pressure with the same charge weight.

[LittleJohn]

Well i got 3 and 3/4 boxes of em if you know anyone who is interested in trading for some 87 or 75 grain vmaxes...my heavy 243 shoots the vmaxes very well. I am curious to see how they do in the 116. It also has a fluted bolt which is pretty interesting looking.

[22 Mag]

LittleJohn
I have shot P-dogs out to 930 yards with my .243 AI and the 87 V-max, they are not fur friendly! My best powder has been IMR-4350 for the 87 gr bullets. I currently have two barrels that I shoot them thru; a 1/10 and a 1/8, both give me small groups and the P-dogs do not like either one.

22 Mag