Range day 243AI and 45-70

[Woodycreek]

Took the 243AI 700 SPS-V out to the range. I using the 105gr AMAX with 51.5gr of Retumbo, Fed 210M primer, and Win brass. 3118 fps Avg with an S.D. of 10.3. I pulled the third shot and really wanted to puke after i checked the target after the last shot. The five shot group went .725" and the four went .34"

The XLR seems to like the 300gr BST with 59.5gr of H4198, Win brass and Fed210M primer. 2400 fps avg with an S.D. of 4 and the group went 1.01".

 

[DrMike]

You're going to make a lot of people jealous with those pictures. The .243 AI looks as if it is a joy to shoot when you can get such groups.

 

[Guy Miner]

Both look good! The .243 AI has some real potential for long-range shooting with that 105 A-Max and that kind of accuracy.

The big ol' .45/70 really wakes up with a healthy dose of H4198 like that too... :grin:

Congrats on finding some good loads, and on some fine shooting!

Guy

 

[Woodycreek]

DrMike,

That .243 Win or AI has always been a good shooting rifle with most anything i have put in it. It really likes 70 BTs and Varget. Lot more fun to shoot the .243AI after shooting 20 rounds of full house 45-70. Thanks again for the Quickload help.


Guy,

Planning on using that load for the 243AI at 1000 yards soon. The 45-70 sure does "wake up" but i wouldn't call it healthy on either end of it :lol:

 

[jmad_81]

Those are some fine looking groups! I have been using H1000 in my 243 with the 105 A max, and 105 NCC with very similar groups (47.5gr. @ 3030 fps). I'm thinking my barrel is about shot out of my .243 so I'll be screwing on a .243 AI as well. What twist did you use?

 

[Woodycreek]

Thanks Jake! I looked at H1000 but had Retumbo on hand since i use it with the 300RUM. Tried Hybrid 100V with 95BTs and shot good with good FPS but no luck with the 105s. Gonna try some 105 Nosler Custom Comps when i can find some. Unless you like fireforming brass and really want the extra 150-200fps you may want stick with 243 Win. The barrel is a factory Remington with the 1-9.25 twist. I was happy it would even get a group the 105s.

 

[jmad_81]

The 105 NCC shot really well for me and I have a bag of the new 107 NCC That will get loaded up this week to try out. I'm thinking that I will stay with a 1:9 on mine as well. I don't mind fire forming brass, and would really love the extra 100-200 fps. I'm thinking that I'll stick with the 95 VLD or the 105 Amax in it though. I think most of the reason that my barrel is going out on my .243 is that I have put over 650 55gr. BTs down it at over 3950. Hoping a bigger slower bullet will last a bit longer. Total I have over 1300 rounds down the barrel as of now, all on 150 Nosler brass.

Is your barrel a 26"?

 

[Woodycreek]

I think i'm gonna go with the 1-8 twist when i rebarrel. Its a 26" now but it may have a 24" next time. I want to try some 55s but i know what they will do to a good barrel.

 

[JD338]

Brian,

NIcely done!
The 243 AI is there, good job.

The 45-70 is good but I bet you can do better. The 59.0 grs H322 with the 300 gr BST and cut your group size in half. :wink:

JD338

 

[BK]

Alright, I need to stop reading this board. Visions of a blued steel SPS sporter in .243AI are dancing in my head. Heck of a good coyote whacker, I would think.

 

[Songdog]

I think i'm gonna go with the 1-8 twist when i rebarrel. Its a 26" now but it may have a 24" next time. I want to try some 55s but i know what they will do to a good barrel.

I shot a couple THOUSAND 55s through a factory Rem. 700 in 6mm (1/9")... all of which were well over 4k... when I sold that gun it still grouped in the 3/4" range... at 200 yards. I don't think bullets are nearly as hard on pipes as owners are...

 

[Woodycreek]

Jim,

I'm good to go with the .243AI but i was wondering if it was going to shoot the 105s. I think the 45-70 will shoot my load better. It's just getting the shooter some moto to get on the bench with it :lol: That thing is somewhat of monster on the bench.

BK,

With some luck and some work in the rifle, you can still get them to shoot good. My 700 SPS-V has been bedded,floated,trued,lugs lapped, and trigger adjusted. But i got lucky cause right out the box it shot Federal Red box 70gr BTs great.

Songdog,

I'm sure you can shoot alot of 55s down the tube but just don't want to take that chance.

 

[Woodycreek]

Just for you BK :!: But if you get one you gotta Duracoat it!!!!!

 

[JD338]

Jim,

I'm good to go with the .243AI but i was wondering if it was going to shoot the 105s. I think the 45-70 will shoot my load better. It's just getting the shooter some moto to get on the bench with it :lol: That thing is somewhat of monster on the bench.

Send it my way and I will get her all broken in for ya.

My 1895 Guide gun is a pussy cat with the 300 gr @ 2200 fps or the 405 gr @ 1850 fps compared to the 338 RUM. :mrgreen:

JD338

 

[Woodycreek]

Thanks for the offer Jim and i know you would do a great job :lol: I guess i will just suck it up and shoot it :grin:

 

[JD338]

Thanks for the offer Jim and i know you would do a great job :lol: I guess i will just suck it up and shoot it :grin:

Get to work Marine! :mrgreen:

You have two nice shooting sticks, congratulations again.

JD338

 

[Woodycreek]

I just finished loading up 30 more of those sweet shooting 105s for the .243AI.

 

[JD338]

That 243 AI is one sexy looking case! Post a picture of one of those loaded up.

JD338

 

[Woodycreek]

Here is your 243AI porn Jim :lol:

 

[JD338]

It ain't loaded and its blurry. :wink:

JD338