243 velocity from 22" barrel

[jbrew44]

Just picked up a 22" 243 Axis heavy barrel from the classifieds. The two bullets I am looking at loading are the 95 SMK and the 87 Vmax. Checking to see what velocities anybody with a 22" 243 barrel are getting. I have imr4064 and H4831.

[JASmith]

Grab the velocity and load data from one of your favorite reloading data sites (Mine is Ammoguide.com) and then visit http://shootersnotes.com/calculator/velocity-estimator/ to get the estimate for your barrel length!

If you are already an Ammoguide subscriber, you can get to the velocity estimator from the load info page. Everything will be pre-filled and all you have to do is to make the changes.

[jbrew44]

Thanks

[Zero333]

Factory ammo will be slow. Rem Corlokt made 2,850 fps. 58gr Superformance ammo made 3,640 fps . Hornady 100gr BTSP custom made 2,760. Win. 55gr BalSilTip made 3,650 fps. 95gr Fed fusion made 2,735 in the cold and 2,822 in the warm.

But handloads should get more speed...

I made up to 3,219 fps with 90gr Berger BT, Win. brass, BR2 sparkplugs and H-4831sc (Went up to 48.2gr).

Ran up to 47gr of H1000 with 105amax and made 2,950.
Also ran up to 45.8gr of H-4831sc with the 105amax and made 2,921 fps. Best accuracy was at 43gr around 2,750 fps.
75gr vmax over 42gr of Varget made 3,363 fps.

This was in a 22" mod 11 .243win.

These are the max I went up to so be careful. Reduce, work up, look for best accuracy and have fun !

Winchester brass takes more abuse than lapua and handles higher pressure much better. At least from my experience in the 243w, 308w and 7mm08.

[FiveInADime]

Just picked up a 22" 243 Axis heavy barrel from the classifieds. The two bullets I am looking at loading are the 95 SMK and the 87 Vmax. Checking to see what velocities anybody with a 22" 243 barrel are getting. I have imr4064 and H4831.

I had excellent luck using IMR-4064 with 87gr Vmax. I also learned not to use Federal cases. It was actually the very first handloads I ever put together and I got consistant 3/4" groups from a previously 1.5" gun. I was using a Lee Collet die and, as I learned with subsequent reloads, accuracy got worse the more crush-fit the case became because of only resizing the neck. And with warm loads I needed to full-length resize after one firing with the brass I was using. That's what turned me off of neck-sizing and I realized that, I personally, could get more consistent results with good FL sizing dies such as the Forster FL sizing dies (along with careful measurement and only pushing the shoulder back 0.001-0.003" from a case fired a couple times.

I got fair to good velocity with the IMR-4064 with exceptional consistency. Don't quite remember the #'s

[jbrew44]

Federal brass is what I have to get started with. I do plan on purchasing different brass later. I got my dies in now and hopefully will have time to work on load development this weekend.

[jbrew44]

Ok did some shooting yesterday. Out of my 22" Axis heavy barrel 87 Vmax with 37.3 gr of 4064 I got an avg of 2933 fps at 65 deg . I also tried 37.3 of 4064 with the Sierra 95 TMK and got 2857 fps. These are over max. Accuracy was slightly above 1" with both. I am going to try H4831 and IMR 4451 next. Looking for better accuracy first and a little more velocity second.

[wbm]

One of the classic loads for the 243 in a hunting application is the 85gr Sierra HPBT with an appropriate amount of H4831. It was my go-to load for Coues deer in Arizona for over a decade....very accurate and deadly.

[FiveInADime]

Ok did some shooting yesterday. Out of my 22" Axis heavy barrel 87 Vmax with 37.3 gr of 4064 I got an avg of 2933 fps at 65 deg . I also tried 37.3 of 4064 with the Sierra 95 TMK and got 2857 fps. These are over max. Accuracy was slightly above 1" with both. I am going to try H4831 and IMR 4451 next. Looking for better accuracy first and a little more velocity second.
H4350 worked real well for me with lots of .243 bullets, as well.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[jbrew44]

I am working with IMR 4155 and I do have some H4350 but looking for an alternative that will be readily available. I will post back with results from the 4155 and the 95gr TMK. It's looking like somewhere around 40.5 grains will be the most accurate. Anything above 41 really started to spread.

[Zero333]

H-4831/H-4831sc has always been the most accurate powder in all my 243w's.

With the 95gr TMK, federal brass and 210 primers,. work up from 42.5 to 45.5gr.

You'll find a node around 43gr and another around 45gr.

The only other powder I tried that could almost match the accuracy of H-4831 was RL-25, and I have not been able to get it in Canada for the past 2 years.

[The Old Coach]

It's been fifteen years at least since I fired my .243, but I still remember that the most accurate load was 39.9 grains of 4350 and an 86 grain Remington softpoint, for about 2850 fps. The rifle was an early Rem 700 with a light barrel. That load is nowhere near max.

4064 looks a bit fast. Start with 4831 if that's what you have, IMHO.

[Appleseed]

If I cut the 22" heavy sporter off to 18-19", will it make a lot of difference? Will make the rig more woods friendly and another great truck/farm gun! I shoot the 100gr

[The Old Coach]

You'll lose about 150 fps. and gain more muzzle blast. But I'd be in favor if maneuverability is important. I've got a Stevens 200 (.223) cut to 16.5", and it makes a huge difference when trying get it on moving target in a hurry. Accuracy off the bags is if anything better. Less barrel whip, I assume.

[Zero333]

If I cut the 22" heavy sporter off to 18-19", will it make a lot of difference? Will make the rig more woods friendly and another great truck/farm gun! I shoot the 100gr


Like the old coach stated, you'll lose about 150 fps,.. With 100gr bullets in a 18" barrel you'll be looking at around 2,700 -2,750 fps, in the range of 1,650 ft-lbs muzzle energy.

[jbrew44]

Used the velocity calculator yesterday to input my velocity into my shooter app and it matched up perfect out to 600 yards.

Grab the velocity and load data from one of your favorite reloading data sites (Mine is Ammoguide.com) and then visit http://shootersnotes.com/calculator/velocity-estimator/ to get the estimate for your barrel length!

If you are already an Ammoguide subscriber, you can get to the velocity estimator from the load info page. Everything will be pre-filled and all you have to do is to make the changes.

[hardnosestreetcop]

2,500-3,000 FPS adjust 20 FPS lost per inch
3,000-3,500 FPS adjust 30 FPS lost per inch
3,500-4,000 FPS adjust 40 FPS per lost inch
For example the factory specs for a 100 Gr 243 is 2960 from a 24 inch barrel
from a 22 inch barrel that would 2920 FPS & 1893 FPE.
Nosler's 70 Gr Ballistic Tip load is rated at 3450 FPS &1850 FPE from a 24 barrel
from a 22 inch barrel you could expect 3390 FPS & 1786 FPE from a 22 inch barrel.

[Evlshnngns]

Factory ammo will be slow. Rem Corlokt made 2,850 fps. 58gr Superformance ammo made 3,640 fps . Hornady 100gr BTSP custom made 2,760. Win. 55gr BalSilTip made 3,650 fps. 95gr Fed fusion made 2,735 in the cold and 2,822 in the warm.

But handloads should get more speed...

I made up to 3,219 fps with 90gr Berger BT, Win. brass, BR2 sparkplugs and H-4831sc (Went up to 48.2gr).

Ran up to 47gr of H1000 with 105amax and made 2,950.
Also ran up to 45.8gr of H-4831sc with the 105amax and made 2,921 fps. Best accuracy was at 43gr around 2,750 fps.
75gr vmax over 42gr of Varget made 3,363 fps.

This was in a 22" mod 11 .243win.

These are the max I went up to so be careful. Reduce, work up, look for best accuracy and have fun !

Winchester brass takes more abuse than lapua and handles higher pressure much better. At least from my experience in the 243w, 308w and 7mm08.

Thank you for posting, I'm looking to shoot the heavies out of my model 11. which shot better the 105 or 90's?

[Justintyler]

I picked up one of those axis .243 barrels also . I'm planning to use the 90 grn nosler ballistic tip and maybe try the 70s also . I've used them in my 6BR and they were devastating on anything I shot !

[jbrew44]

I haven't shot any 105's yet. I am working with the Sierra 95gr TMK. I may try the Hornady 105 HPBT or the new Noslers.