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11-19-2014, 09:17 AM
The .243 shoots with slightly more recoil than a .223 Rem so its ideal as a first gun for young deer hunters or for prairie dog work where you will likely be shooting a lot of rounds. The .243 has it's own things to be careful of.
1) Chambers are long, you have to measure them and set bullets back 0.030 for conventional and 0.050 for copper. The Ruger American chambers are usually about 0.1 longer than the 2.710 max OAL SAMMI publishes. If yours is shorter all the better.
2) Weigh your processed and head stamp sorted brass. Similar weight means similar ignition volume which equates to consistent velocity shot to shot. I have seen lots of variation with the same head stamp and it shows up on a target at 200 yds. 0.5 Gr variance is my limit on .243.
3) Use Match primers, the length to diameter ratio of the .243 is more extreme than .270 or .30-06 so the initial ignition profile of the powder is a bit more critical, thus the more consistent match primer really helps.
4) The most important issue is the twist rate of your barrel. The slower the twist the lighter the bullet you have to use in order for it to stabilize. If you have a gun with a 12" twist rate you will be loading 75 gr or lighter bullets and running 3400 fps or better. 10" twist can load the heavier bullets which are great for 350 yd shooting.
5) Stay away from slow burning powders, run faster powders only. The problem is that length to diameter ratio in the powder charge in the case. The slow burning powder builds pressure fast in light loads. The bullet does not get away from the case mouth soon enough and the gun will overpressure. I know it seems strange to overpressure with light loads but this one is well know for it, so load warm and fast not light and slow.
1) Chambers are long, you have to measure them and set bullets back 0.030 for conventional and 0.050 for copper. The Ruger American chambers are usually about 0.1 longer than the 2.710 max OAL SAMMI publishes. If yours is shorter all the better.1) Chambers are long, you have to measure them and set bullets back 0.030 for conventional and 0.050 for copper. The Ruger American chambers are usually about 0.1 longer than the 2.710 max OAL SAMMI publishes. If yours is shorter all the better.
2) Weigh your processed and head stamp sorted brass. Similar weight means similar ignition volume which equates to consistent velocity shot to shot. I have seen lots of variation with the same head stamp and it shows up on a target at 200 yds. 0.5 Gr variance is my limit on .243.
3) Use Match primers, the length to diameter ratio of the .243 is more extreme than .270 or .30-06 so the initial ignition profile of the powder is a bit more critical, thus the more consistent match primer really helps.
4) The most important issue is the twist rate of your barrel. The slower the twist the lighter the bullet you have to use in order for it to stabilize. If you have a gun with a 12" twist rate you will be loading 75 gr or lighter bullets and running 3400 fps or better. 10" twist can load the heavier bullets which are great for 350 yd shooting.
5) Stay away from slow burning powders, run faster powders only. The problem is that length to diameter ratio in the powder charge in the case. The slow burning powder builds pressure fast in light loads. The bullet does not get away from the case mouth soon enough and the gun will overpressure. I know it seems strange to overpressure with light loads but this one is well know for it, so load warm and fast not light and slow.
2) Weigh your processed and head stamp sorted brass. Similar weight means similar ignition volume which equates to consistent velocity shot to shot. I have seen lots of variation with the same head stamp and it shows up on a target at 200 yds. 0.5 Gr variance is my limit on .243.
3) Use Match primers, the length to diameter ratio of the .243 is more extreme than .270 or .30-06 so the initial ignition profile of the powder is a bit more critical, thus the more consistent match primer really helps.
4) The most important issue is the twist rate of your barrel. The slower the twist the lighter the bullet you have to use in order for it to stabilize. If you have a gun with a 12" twist rate you will be loading 75 gr or lighter bullets and running 3400 fps or better. 10" twist can load the heavier bullets which are great for 350 yd shooting.
5) Stay away from slow burning powders, run faster powders only. The problem is that length to diameter ratio in the powder charge in the case. The slow burning powder builds pressure fast in light loads. The bullet does not get away from the case mouth soon enough and the gun will overpressure. I know it seems strange to overpressure with light loads but this one is well know for it, so load warm and fast not light and slow.