Pleasant surprise! Reduced load for 243

Tried 40 gr of H4831sc under a 100 grain Sierra Pro Hunter. Manual hints at 25-2600 fps. My goal is to save the barrel while getting productive trigger time. Accuracy compared to my hunting loads ( 44 grains) is unchanged and point of impact is dead on at 100. The heavier charge hit an inch and a half high. Groups ranged from 11/16s to 1 3/16 for 3 at 100.
There is slight shooting on the case shoulder, but there's a substantial increase in copper fouling. Seems strange...
My little Savage has been unfussy and eager to please. Am glad I took a chance on her!

I had some 75 gr V-max sitting around and thought I would try a reduced load with them in one of my 243's. QL suggests this load is around 3,000 fps... ie some 400 fps below max.

40gr H-4350
Win brass
210m

5-shots at 100 meters.
Attachment 4380

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zero333

I had some 75 gr V-max sitting around and thought I would try a reduced load with them in one of my 243's. QL suggests this load is around 3,000 fps... ie some 400 fps below max.

40gr H-4350
Win brass
210m

5-shots at 100 meters.
Attachment 4380

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Excellent results....Well done and congrats.

Dang... That is nice. Gonna have to try some lighter weights too. Bet the recoil is barely noticeable too.

Not a surprise at all.... Most of my pet loads are typically 30%-50% below max.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Muddly

Dang... That is nice. Gonna have to try some lighter weights too. Bet the recoil is barely noticeable too.

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Thanks, but I think the Shilen barrel had a lot to do with it.

Rifle with scope weights 17.4 lbs and has a muzzle brake so full power loads feel no more than a 22 LR.

Switched from Federal cases to Noslers. Oh Boy! 3 rounders went from 9/16 to 3/4 ( that group had a called flyer) for 3 at 100.
I seem to be on to something here...

With a Savage Factory Sporter weight barrel it's not common to average 1/2 moa.
If you can get the rifle to average 0.7 moa 5-shot groups, that's probably as good as it gets. With the odd sub 1/2 moa group here and there.

Isn't it amazing that what we have come to expect in accuracy, from lightweight barreled sporters, rivals bench rest accuracy only 50 years ago.
Quantum leaps. And bounds.