243 ai

[calib]

i am going to build a 243 ai with a 1:10-1:12 twist
i am hoping to find out some loads with 58-65grn v max's, 70grn ballistic tips and anything in between the tree. i am looking to kill coyotes mainly
anything would be great i know there are a few of you out there that shoot this round help me out a bit i am also researching on my own just thought of you guys when doing all this good info here

thanks,
caleb

[bootsmcguire]

Mine is a 1-9.25" twist, but I shoot a 58gr. V-Max over 45.0gr of Varget lit off by a Fed 210 all in Neck Sized brass. I have gotten .75" groups at 200yds regularly and this barrel has at least 2200 rounds on it at least.

[calib]

Mine is a 1-9.25" twist, but I shoot a 58gr. V-Max over 45.0gr of Varget lit off by a Fed 210 all in Neck Sized brass. I have gotten .75" groups at 200yds regularly and this barrel has at least 2200 rounds on it at least.

how long is your barrel and how fast you going

[bootsmcguire]

It is a rechambered Savage SS Varmint, 26" long. I got to run a 5-shot over another shooters chrony (on my to get list) and they were all between 4000 and 4050. Shoots nice and flat ;D.

[montana bob]

Just curious boots and not trying to be sarcastic, do your bullets hold together at that kind of speed?

[bootsmcguire]

Seem to. they are making nice round holes when they hit the paper. And the few critters that have got hit didn't complain of bullets comming apart (until after they were hit of course) . I am not having any troubles with bullets flying apart.

As previously stated it was someone elses chrony, so I cannot attest to the accuracy of its readings, but based off of what drop I am getting at 300yds when sighted for 100, and then running that data through my basic drop compensator I would say I am no slower than 3950 and no faster than 4050 based off of that only.

[montana bob]

I wasn't questioning you. I've just never shot anything that light. I've had some 308 stuff blow up down range(1000 yards) but I was pushing them pretty hard.

[bootsmcguire]

I wasn't questioning you. I've just never shot anything that light. I've had some 308 stuff blow up down range(1000 yards) but I was pushing them pretty hard.

No worries, didn't offend me in the least. I was just trying to give a nice detailed response. :)

[calib]

I have wondered about them coming apart too. Thanks guys

[calib]

Has anyone tried or currently shooting the 65 v max or the.70 nosler ballistic tip

[Joe O]

Only bullets I've shot out of my 28"Hart 1:9 w/brake is SMK 95,70s and SBK 70.I use H414 with the 70s and H4831sc with the 95s.I have the 95s shooting in the 0-1s and the 70s in the 1s-2s.

[calib]

How fast you getting the 70' s going

[calib]

well i went to cabela's and picked up some 65 grn v max i already have some 70 grn ballistic tips now i just need all the parts to get here so i can begin my build and find my oal. whats your guys's luck with these and any with a 1:12 twist

[calib]

my barrel should be here monday hopefully i got an e mail saying it has been shipped lets hope my order comes as i ordered it and not tainted with the problems i have been hearing of.

any how i have some 58 and 65 grain v max's some 70 grain ballistic tips and some 70 grain sierra hp's to try out i would really like to see the 65's doing the best my barrel is a 1:12 26" long what have you guys been coming up with

[calib]

got my barrel yesterday loaded up some rounds will have to go out tomorrow and shootem and see what i have to work with. i am hoping the 65's and the 70's are what the barrel likes the most. i would like them to fly fast and hit hard. let you guys know what i figure out

[5spd]

My pal just loaded up 50 rounds in 65vmax for his 1/12" twist Ruger bbl. We have not made it to the range yet to see how fast they are over my chrony or how accurate they may be.
According to him they are at 3900fps also.

[calib]

5spd,
i would be interested in seing how those loads do.

i shot up all kinds of stuff this weekend, but i was also breaking in the barrel, forming brass, and obviously finding a load. so far i have a load for each the 58 v max, 65 v max and the 70 grn nosler that i can work on and get tighter. didnt get to use the chrony this time but i will next time. i would really like to be throwing the 65's or 70's

[calib]

i went out shooting a little the other day. i only 10 rounds to see how the gun did. once zeroed at 100 i backed off to 200 and shot a couple shot and they were hitting 1/4 to 1/2" higher than my 100 zero. wonder how this thing will do once i get my grouping problem figured out. i would like to shoot 100,2,3,4,5,6 and maybe 700 yards just to see what it will do

[Joe O]

How fast you getting the 70' s going

Sorry for the late reply.Haven't shot the 243AI for over a year,due to a skipped PD trip this past spring.Don't have my data in front of me,but recall around 3800fps (28" 1:9 twist Hart barrel,W/muzzle brake).That was with H414 or W760,WW primer.272 neck.

[calib]

how do i deal with neck tension? never had to mess with it before but may need to with this gun

[Joe O]

I shipoot a 28" + Vais break Hart 1:9 HV,(143/4lbs all up) and shoot 70gr Sierra BK and Nosler Varmint Balistic tips.The only powder I used was H414 or WW 760.I fire formed using the max load data for Hodgdon 243,and worked up loads from there.I have a .272 neck,so had to turn the 243 virgin brass before fireforming.

[calib]

i think i may have found the load for my gun that likes both the 70 grn ballistic tips and the 760 powder i am running 47.8 grains i dont know how fast yet as my chrony wouldnt tell me that whole string, but i am guessing around 3650-3700fps ill find out soon. i went from shooting an inch sized group of five to all five touching in a small horizontal line when i lowered charge weight. i think i am gonna stay with this and start killing thing once i get my zero and some distances figured out