I wonder if someone would QL a 243 Ackley load for me...?

bobnob · Aug 19, 2017

G'day fellows,

Just wondered if someone would be kind enough to run a QL analysis for me on a proposed 243 Ackley Improved load. I have a build in the works and making some decisions around throating, barrel length and others...

Anyway for anyone who feels inclined to help me out here are the parameters...

243 AI, COaL 2.825, bbl length 21", water capacity 58g, bullet 105g Hornady BTHP, powder AR2209/H4350. A stepped run on pressures would be great.

Further if I could push the friendship, perhaps an analysis with the same parameters only with all suitable powders with a load density of 105% or less and a maximum pressure of 59k PSI?

If you can help thanks.

Not looking to hotrod this thing but trying to work out what I can expect and make further decisions before I commit to final blueprint specs.

Hope you're all well. Cracking Sunday morning down here in the Riverina area of New South Wales!

- Bob

TackDriver284 · Aug 19, 2017

Hope that helps.

Cartridge : .243 Ackley Imp
Bullet : .243, 105, Hornady BTHP 2458
Useable Case Capaci: 52.926 grain H2O = 3.436 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.825 inch = 71.76 mm
Barrel Length : 21.0 inch = 533.4 mm
Powder : ADI AR 2209

Code:

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   83    40.50   2593    1568   38546  12428     92.4    1.319
-09.0   84    40.95   2622    1603   39739  12601     93.0    1.299
-08.0   85    41.40   2652    1640   40970  12770     93.5    1.280
-07.0   86    41.85   2681    1676   42239  12936     94.0    1.261
-06.0   87    42.30   2711    1713   43547  13099     94.5    1.243
-05.0   88    42.75   2740    1751   44897  13259     95.0    1.225
-04.0   89    43.20   2770    1788   46290  13415     95.4    1.207
-03.0   90    43.65   2799    1827   47725  13567     95.9    1.190  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   91    44.10   2828    1865   49191  13715     96.3    1.173  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0   92    44.55   2858    1904   50736  13859     96.7    1.156  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   93    45.00   2887    1944   52313  13999     97.1    1.139  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0   94    45.45   2917    1984   53942  14134     97.4    1.123  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0   95    45.90   2946    2024   55625  14265     97.7    1.107  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0   96    46.35   2976    2065   57363  14391     98.1    1.091  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0   96    46.80   3005    2106   59156  14512     98.3    1.076  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0   97    47.25   3035    2147   61009  14628     98.6    1.061  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     93    45.00   3034    2146   62276  13998     99.9    1.054  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     93    45.00   2698    1697   43043  13286     90.0    1.247

Cartridge : .243 Ackley Imp
Bullet : .243, 105, Hornady BTHP 2458
Useable Case Capaci: 52.926 grain H2O = 3.436 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.825 inch = 71.76 mm
Barrel Length : 21.0 inch = 533.4 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4350

Code:

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   83    39.60   2608    1586   41460  11928     95.1    1.287
-09.0   84    40.04   2636    1619   42668  12072     95.5    1.269
-08.0   85    40.48   2663    1653   43910  12213     95.9    1.251
-07.0   86    40.92   2690    1687   45185  12352     96.3    1.234
-06.0   87    41.36   2717    1721   46495  12487     96.7    1.217
-05.0   88    41.80   2744    1756   47839  12619     97.0    1.200  ! Near Maximum !
-04.0   89    42.24   2771    1791   49221  12747     97.4    1.184  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0   89    42.68   2798    1826   50640  12872     97.7    1.168  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   90    43.12   2825    1861   52097  12993     98.0    1.153  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0   91    43.56   2852    1897   53594  13111     98.2    1.137  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   92    44.00   2879    1933   55132  13224     98.5    1.122  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+01.0   93    44.44   2906    1969   56712  13334     98.7    1.107  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0   94    44.88   2933    2005   58336  13440     98.9    1.093  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0   95    45.32   2959    2042   60004  13541     99.1    1.078  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0   96    45.76   2986    2078   61718  13638     99.3    1.064  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0   97    46.20   3012    2115   63481  13731     99.5    1.050  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     92    44.00   3000    2099   64176  13025    100.0    1.046  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     92    44.00   2717    1721   46167  12826     93.2    1.220

Cartridge : .243 Ackley Imp
Bullet : .243, 105, Hornady BTHP 2458
Useable Case Capaci: 52.926 grain H2O = 3.436 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.825 inch = 71.76 mm
Barrel Length : 21.0 inch = 533.4 mm

Code:

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 59000 psi, or 406 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 105 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

24 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 85%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26                  97.1     50.9     3.30    3089   100.0    59000   15552   1.097  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Norma MRP                           98.0     49.9     3.23    3065    99.4    59000   15603   1.092  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
ReloadSwiss RS 70                   95.1     49.4     3.20    3063    99.7    59000   15189   1.076  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
PB Clermont PCL 517                102.8     53.5     3.47    3062    97.9    59000   15682   1.078  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
SNPE Vectan SP 12                  102.6     53.4     3.46    3062    98.0    59000   15659   1.079  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N560                     99.7     49.7     3.22    3057    96.9    59000   15827   1.086  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
IMR 7828 SSC                        98.6     49.4     3.20    3052    97.4    59000   15410   1.074  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
IMR 7828                           104.2     49.4     3.20    3052    97.4    59000   15410   1.074  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-25                 105.0     51.0     3.30    3047   100.0    57339   15084   1.096  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate MAGPRO                    100.0     51.9     3.36    3045    95.4    59000   15873   1.093  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
ReloadSwiss RS 60                   88.7     45.4     2.94    3042   100.0    59000   13936   1.082  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
ADI AR 2213                         99.5     49.1     3.18    3038    97.3    59000   15225   1.072  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Raufoss RA15                        99.9     49.3     3.19    3037    98.5    59000   15297   1.091  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-22                  99.9     49.3     3.19    3037    98.5    59000   15297   1.091  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation        99.9     49.3     3.19    3037    98.5    59000   15297   1.091  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP15                        102.6     49.5     3.21    3035    98.4    59000   15305   1.091  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Winchester WXR                     102.6     49.5     3.21    3035    98.4    59000   15305   1.091  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
ADI AP 2214                        103.5     52.4     3.40    3033    97.6    59000   15107   1.070  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Ramshot Magnum                     100.0     53.2     3.44    3024    99.1    59000   14760   1.084  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Elcho 17                            87.7     44.9     2.91    3017   100.0    59000   13833   1.089  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-17                  87.7     44.9     2.91    3017   100.0    59000   13833   1.089  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-23                 102.3     48.8     3.16    3013   100.0    59000   13967   1.098  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Rottweil R905                      101.2     49.0     3.18    3006    96.9    59000   14884   1.089  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
ADI AR 2209                         96.4     46.8     3.03    3002    98.3    59000   14501   1.077  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation       103.1     51.3     3.32    3001    95.2    59000   14906   1.075  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-19                  96.8     47.2     3.06    2998    98.4    59000   14559   1.085  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-16                  93.9     44.6     2.89    2997   100.0    59000   13702   1.098  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
PB Clermont PCL 518                 93.2     46.9     3.04    2996    99.6    59000   14295   1.092  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
PB Clermont PCL 511                 89.5     46.5     3.01    2994    99.7    59000   14206   1.092  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
ReloadSwiss RS 62                   91.0     46.5     3.01    2994   100.0    59000   14007   1.106  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Ramshot Hunter                      92.4     46.6     3.02    2993    99.7    59000   14188   1.092  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon H414                        87.3     45.0     2.92    2993    99.4    59000   14239   1.093  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Winchester 760                      87.3     45.0     2.92    2993    99.4    59000   14239   1.093  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP14 ~approximation          97.5     47.6     3.08    2991    98.4    59000   14458   1.086  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Somchem S365                        93.8     45.5     2.95    2984   100.0    59000   13247   1.104  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Raufoss RA4                         94.9     46.3     3.00    2977    98.2    59000   14201   1.085  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Norma 204                           91.9     46.3     3.00    2977    98.2    59000   14201   1.085  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP4 ~approximation           94.9     46.3     3.00    2977    98.2    59000   14201   1.085  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Norma URP                           91.9     44.4     2.88    2975   100.0    59000   13628   1.098  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP19 ~approximation          92.0     44.4     2.88    2975   100.0    59000   13624   1.098  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon H4831                      102.1     48.4     3.14    2975    96.6    59000   14324   1.082  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon H4831 SC                    98.1     48.4     3.14    2975    96.6    59000   14324   1.082  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N550                     89.3     44.5     2.89    2974   100.0    59000   13759   1.101  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate 4350                       91.2     44.5     2.88    2970   100.0    59000   13637   1.116  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Somchem S385                        97.0     47.8     3.10    2962    99.0    59000   13990   1.105  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP30                        105.0     51.2     3.32    2960    96.6    52867   15523   1.152  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2                        105.0     51.2     3.32    2960    96.6    52867   15523   1.152  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                            96.5     45.1     2.92    2958   100.0    59000   13359   1.106  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP4 NT ~approximation        92.6     45.9     2.97    2956    99.3    59000   13745   1.097  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
SNPE Vectan SP 11                   85.9     43.3     2.80    2955   100.0    59000   13102   1.094  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Winchester Supreme 780              95.7     49.2     3.19    2955    98.3    59000   13870   1.090  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N570                    105.0     54.0     3.50    2952    90.5    50825   16409   1.162  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904                       95.8     46.1     2.98    2951    97.4    59000   13844   1.085  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate 3100                      100.1     48.8     3.16    2950    99.8    59000   13684   1.121  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N165                    102.2     49.3     3.20    2950    98.8    59000   13681   1.095  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon H4350                       94.4     45.1     2.92    2943    99.0    59000   13481   1.087  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
IMR 4350                            92.6     45.0     2.91    2943    99.1    59000   13457   1.087  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
IMR 4955 Enduron                    99.3     47.1     3.05    2942    96.8    59000   13846   1.083  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Lovex S070                          91.8     44.3     2.87    2941    99.5    59000   13519   1.103  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                 94.4     44.6     2.89    2939   100.0    59000   12621   1.097  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon H380                        85.0     42.4     2.75    2938   100.0    59000   13165   1.102  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N160                    102.2     47.8     3.10    2934    97.3    59000   13601   1.088  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
ReloadSwiss RS 50                   85.1     43.2     2.80    2928    99.6    59000   13146   1.094  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP7                          89.8     43.0     2.79    2926    99.1    59000   13296   1.095  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Rottweil R907                       89.8     43.0     2.79    2926    99.1    59000   13296   1.095  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Lovex S071                         105.0     48.4     3.14    2925    99.6    57396   13620   1.136  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
IMR 4007 SSC                        87.0     43.1     2.79    2925    99.1    59000   13287   1.095  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Bofors RP3                          85.2     42.0     2.72    2924   100.0    59000   12660   1.115  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Norma 203 old                       85.2     42.0     2.72    2924   100.0    59000   12660   1.115  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Lovex S065                          90.8     43.3     2.81    2921    99.9    59000   13038   1.101  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Rottweil R903                       87.1     42.0     2.72    2921   100.0    59000   12584   1.114  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Somchem S361                        94.8     49.3     3.19    2918    96.6    59000   13550   1.096  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Somchem S355                        87.3     41.7     2.70    2918   100.0    59000   12569   1.106  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon H1000                      105.0     50.7     3.28    2902    95.8    51757   14548   1.139  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2217                        105.0     50.7     3.28    2902    95.8    51757   14548   1.139  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2700                       87.2     44.4     2.88    2882    99.0    59000   12600   1.097  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N150                     92.2     42.4     2.75    2878   100.0    59000   11844   1.104  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
IMR 7977 Enduron                   103.8     50.1     3.25    2878    89.4    59000   13229   1.085  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant Reloder-33                 105.0     55.6     3.60    2866    89.4    47402   15817   1.203  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Retumbo                    105.0     51.5     3.34    2840    97.5    45547   15141   1.218
ADI AR 2225                        105.0     51.5     3.34    2840    97.5    45547   15141   1.218
ReloadSwiss RS 80                  105.0     55.6     3.60    2814    89.0    45050   15555   1.230
Lovex D100                         105.0     55.1     3.57    2800    85.2    51970   13497   1.157  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2218                        105.0     54.6     3.54    2788    85.7    45071   15548   1.219
Vihtavuori 24N41                   105.0     54.6     3.54    2765    81.8    47682   13923   1.193  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N170                    105.0     50.7     3.28    2738    87.7    47462   13470   1.225  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 217                          105.0     50.4     3.27    2738    94.7    40334   15000   1.308
Hodgdon H870                       105.0     52.9     3.43    2706    88.0    40526   14750   1.300
Hodgdon 50BMG                      105.0     52.0     3.37    2566    73.1    39072   12729   1.320
Hodgdon US 869                     105.0     54.6     3.54    2566    77.2    38880   12804   1.327
SNPE Vectan SP 13                  105.0     52.3     3.39    2511    81.6    35624   12654   1.386
Accurate 8700                      105.0     53.5     3.46    2480    79.9    34944   12491   1.390
Vihtavuori 20N29                   105.0     55.1     3.57    2452    76.4    33677   12474   1.421
PB Clermont PCL 513/520/9520       105.0     52.3     3.39    2444    78.2    33504   12188   1.418
NC A3502 ,test only                105.0     50.1     3.25    2259    54.1    31318    9270   1.454
TLP A 502(RH) ,test only           105.0     50.1     3.25    2233    58.6    29396    9802   1.497

bobnob · Aug 19, 2017

Helps a lot!

Thanks mate.

bobnob · Aug 19, 2017

Interesting that AR2209 and H4350 show different pressures and speeds, given they are identical. Just goes to show nothing is absolute with handloading.

R26 is impressive. Not sure it's available here. Plenty of options though.

bobnob · Jan 11, 2018

Ok so I have taken delivery of the rifle. Weatherby Vanguard Stainless with a Hardy (NZ) 1-7” barrel also in Stainless.

Have kicked off a forming load with 90g Prvi soft points. Also have a few 105g BTHP Hornady Match loads ready to go today in brass I formed a couple days ago.

Will be interested to see how real world stacks up against the above. In any case thanks for the help thus far in establishing a starting base with the data...

bobnob · Jan 11, 2018

43g of AR2209 (H4350) yielded 2945fps. Quite a bit less powder than the QL but that’s not unusual. Also the COaL was 2.710” which is the bullet kissing the lands. The kissing the lands may well account for the higher speeds at lower charge weight, to some extent anyway.

My groups have a bit of vertical so I’m in the process of bedding the action tonight after eliminating a bit of a speed bump that I found in the Hogue stock.

TackDriver284 · Jan 12, 2018

bobnob":3hxj1kct said:
43g of AR2209 (H4350) yielded 2945fps. Quite a bit less powder than the QL but that’s not unusual. Also the COaL was 2.710” which is the bullet kissing the lands. The kissing the lands may well account for the higher speeds at lower charge weight, to some extent anyway.

My groups have a bit of vertical so I’m in the process of bedding the action tonight after eliminating a bit of a speed bump that I found in the Hogue stock.

Kissing the lands raises pressure as well. You may want to seat .010" off or more.

bobnob · Jan 12, 2018

Yep TD that’s what I was getting at with the comment about causing the higher speeds.

I generally start load development with the ogive kissing the lands and if accuracy isn’t there I back off incrementally.

Thanks Mark I’ll let you know how I go.

SJB358 · Jan 16, 2018

Pretty cool Bob, can't wait to see you aerate some critters. Should be a handy rifle as well. Good luck with the load work.

Dwh7271 · Jan 16, 2018

Bob;
See if this is close to what you're seeing.

Code:

Cartridge          : .243 Ackley Imp
Bullet             : .243, 105, Hornady A-MAX 24562
Useable Case Capaci: 52.031 grain H2O = 3.378 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length      : 21.0 inch = 533.4 mm
Powder             : ADI AR 2209 ?

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.698% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-07.0   84    40.00   2742    1753   43414  13034     96.5    1.228
-06.3   84    40.30   2762    1779   44324  13138     96.8    1.215
-05.6   85    40.60   2782    1805   45254  13240     97.0    1.204
-04.9   86    40.90   2803    1831   46203  13339     97.3    1.192
-04.2   86    41.20   2823    1858   47171  13438     97.5    1.180
-03.5   87    41.50   2843    1884   48160  13534     97.7    1.168
-02.8   88    41.80   2863    1911   49171  13628     98.0    1.157
-02.1   88    42.10   2883    1938   50199  13720     98.2    1.145
-01.4   89    42.40   2903    1965   51247  13810     98.4    1.134  ! Near Maximum !
-00.7   90    42.70   2923    1992   52313  13898     98.5    1.123  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   90    43.00   2943    2019   53398  13984     98.7    1.112  ! Near Maximum !
+00.7   91    43.30   2963    2047   54503  14067     98.9    1.101  ! Near Maximum !
+01.4   91    43.60   2983    2075   55631  14148     99.0    1.091  ! Near Maximum !
+02.1   92    43.90   3003    2103   56782  14227     99.2    1.080  ! Near Maximum !
+02.8   93    44.20   3023    2130   57956  14303     99.3    1.070  ! Near Maximum !
+03.5   93    44.50   3043    2159   59154  14377     99.4    1.060  ! Near Maximum !

Results caused by ± 3% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 3% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     90    43.00   2988    2081   56311  13971     99.5    1.086  ! Near Maximum !
Data for burning rate decreased by 3% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     90    43.00   2894    1953   50453  13930     97.5    1.141

30-338 · Jan 16, 2018

bobnob":2czbh2ik said:
Ok so I have taken delivery of the rifle. Weatherby Vanguard Stainless with a Hardy (NZ) 1-7” barrel also in Stainless.

Have kicked off a forming load with 90g Prvi soft points. Also have a few 105g BTHP Hornady Match loads ready to go today in brass I formed a couple days ago.

Will be interested to see how real world stacks up against the above. In any case thanks for the help thus far in establishing a starting base with the data...

I've been shooting 243AI few years now. I when with 27" barrel,1/10 twist barrel and good to see someone else has interest in 243AI. Good luck be following your results.

bobnob · Jan 20, 2018

7271, that is indeed very close! Thanks.

As an aside I tested similar though with H4831SC, which is producing better accuracy for some reason. I’m using 47g of it with the 105g Hornady BTHP and 48g with the Sierra 107g SMK for 2950 and 2935 FPS respectively.

The SMK seemingly produces less pressure.

The 107 SMK, jumped around 0.020 seems the most accurate thus far. Groups in the 0.75 MOA mark which won’t win any titles but is more indicative of my ability than the inherent accuracy of the rifle.

bobnob · Jan 20, 2018

30-338 I’ll keep you posted. Have some more bullets to try ie the Nosler RDF and some Berger VLD Hunting 105s...

bobnob · Apr 24, 2018

A brief update...

The rifle has come together quite well, along with loads and performance. It was always somewhat of an experiment to see what I could put together for a very low budget, allowing me to do a variety of things from hunting on foot, shooting from a vehicle and a little target shooting at steel at long range.

The components were selected as such. Second-hand Vanguard donor in 22-250; no I DID NOT shoot the donor! Plain Jane Hogue Varmint stock (quite the compromise this), Bushnell AR Optics 3-12x40 (it was such a bargain I couldn’t resist and as I had two already that had performed I thought why not), left over Leupold QRW Low rings.

The area I did not skimp on was a very high quality Hardy #5 profile 1-7” barrel, finished at 21” and fitted by one of our top smiths.

With the compromise on components my expectations / hopes were for a rifle that would hold 1MOA consistently. As it turns out the rifle is consistently around the 0.75ish MOA level, backed up by some shooting yesterday at 265y which yielded several groups in the 1.75 to 2.5 inch range. This even included one pulled shot called at the time.

Next move should be into a more permanent and stable stock. I’m tempted to drop it into a Boyds laminate but part of me says save for a good composite like a McMillan. Time will tell. I do feel that the Hogue is the one weak link and perhaps all that is holding the package back from being a true tack driver.

For the record, the working load is WW brass, 105g Hornady BTHP, 47g H4831SC, CCI 200 and finished at 2.743” which is .020 off the lands. Making what I feel is a very mild 2950fps and I am happy with the speed, while providing good brass and barrel life.

Happy to hear suggestions on my options for a stock?

IdahoCTD · Apr 24, 2018

It's amazing how much slower your barrel is being 5" shorter then mine. Using 51grs of Retumbo in my 26" barrel and 105 Amax's it runs 3250fps. That is with a rechambered 243 Remington 700 varmint barrel. In my 30" Bartlein barreled gun it runs a little over 100fps faster. R-26 is suppose to be the cats meow for speed in the 243's and 243AI's. I shoot it in my 300wsm and love the stuff but haven't tried it in my 243 AI.

bobnob · Apr 24, 2018

Thanks Idaho, interesting data.

I believe I’d have little trouble extracting another 100-150fps however I dont feel the need. I reckon this load is running at the very most around 55kpsi.

Having said that, if I come into some R26 I would be tempted to push on and see where it takes me!

desertcj · Apr 28, 2018

My standard .243 was shooting like yours until I finally found a highly compressed load of H1000 and the 105gr Hornady HPBT that was really consistent. I shot a 3" group at 600yds on steel with it.

bobnob · Feb 5, 2021

Been playing with this rifle more of late so I thought it was worth an update on a rainy morning (70mm of rain overnight!)...

I’ve found the rifle shoots quite well with about 0.020” of jump. Recently been shooting 90g NBTs for a general purpose hunting load and the 105g BTHP Hornady for long range.

Loads are with Winchester fire formed brass, CCI 200 primers. 21” bbl. chronoed 4m from the muzzle.

105g Hornady
2.78” OAL
48.5g Reloder 26 - 2986fps

105g Hornady
2.78” OAL
48.5g H4831SC - 2985fps (virtual match for the R26 loading)

90g NBT
2.80” OAL
47.3g H4831SC - 2910fps (yes this is a very mild load but all the speed I need for goats and pigs)

Interesting that the H4831SC and R26 loads are a near identical match. I would opine though that they are both mild and I am sure I could safely push the R26 load at least 100fps faster - which I don’t really intend to do.

All three loads print to a near identical point of impact at 100y

Anyway thought it was worth a share for 243AI enthusiasts. I’m sure most are going 6mm CM these days and the 243AI may soon go the way of the dodo.

Have a great weekend.

Bob

bobnob · Feb 5, 2021

Rifle as is currently set up with wood stock.

SJB358 · Feb 5, 2021

That looks sharp Bob!

I wonder if someone would QL a 243 Ackley load for me...?

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