Savage 10 Predator Max 1 in .243~tell me about your V-Max loads!

[Savage10Guy]

Hey guys~I'm brand new to this forum, and look forward to chatting about all things Savage! Tonight, I'm wondering whether or not any of you who own this rifle/caliber have worked-up any VERY accurate loads using V-Max bullets?

Having had a tremendous amount of success loading for my 10 in .223, I was expecting the same, ragged one-hole groups with the .243. I want to believe that's possible, but my initial 2 rounds of load testing has only shown me that about 3/4" is the best I can do with this gun. (58gr. V-Max, CCI BR2 primer, 44.5gr. Varget) Now, I didn't pull that load out of my head...I did speak to a guy who owns the exact same gun, and that is his pet load. Albeit, a bit "hot". I did work-up loads (in round 1) using 58/65/75 and 87gr.~all V-Max. 58g with Varget only, 65/76 with Varget and IMR 4350 and 87 with IMR 4350 alone. 87 on the low end of the powder charge range showed promise, 58gr. cranked right up did too. That surprised me a little.

I'm open to the idea of trying other bullets, but here in the great white north (Canada) it's mail-order to find most of what I need in terms of bullets/powder...so...I'd like to see if I can make one of these work. Primary purpose of the gun~groundhogs. Secondary~coyotes.

Open to any/all input on this rifle, any load data works your gun and prints well~regardless of whether or not it's one of the ones I listed. I have Varget, IMR 4350, H4198, H322 and Reloader 10x on the bench.

Thanks for taking a moment to respond, really looking forward to the replies.

Savage10Guy

[alltherage]

Use 38-39.5 grains of varget with thr 58g vmax

[fr3db3ar]

58 vmax, 44 varget. .87 groups at 100

[deaddeerwalking]

Nosler 95gr ballistic tips with imr 4350 @ 3k shoots great out of my rifle

[BillPa]

75 Vmax, Varget, BR2.

[Savage10Guy]

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

75 Vmax, Varget, BR2.

What charge are you using Bill, and what kind of groups are you getting with it?

[BillPa]

What charge are you using Bill, and what kind of groups are you getting with it?

Well, I rarely if ever say what charge weights I use. Its like the three bears and porridge, too hot, too cold or just right! Then there's difference in components, powder lot numbers, brass, etc, etc. but I will say start with about 39 grs.

Accuracy? This is the best target I shot using that combo in my 700 VLS, 26" factory barrel. 10 at 100. BTW the average velocity was 3464 fps.

Bill