Thread: .243 load development part deux

Finally!
So TL : DR As my first foray into handloading I wanted to develop a round that performed as well as if not better than Win Deer Season...mission accomplished
@gimp here you go, thoughts?

So the first four targets presented are "testing" after "development" and grouping being sub par.....I was told to clean my f'in barrel, which I did. I think the targets are pretty self explanatory.



To remove the nut behind the trigger variable, a proven shooter sent 10 down range



And just because I still had some, I sent some Fiocchi 100gr BT's with (to me) predictable results


So after this and with guidance from helpful souls in here I and my mentor subjected the barrel to a thorough clean (top tip, if you want someone else to clean your rifle, just "accidently" leave it behind at their place, activity beats boredom everytime

The following were shot in 2 x 5RD groups at the given powder weight one group off bipod followed by off Benchrest, between each 5RD group the barrel was allowed to cool, whilst I walked down range to mark the first group and remove/reattach bipod
After 10RDS at the given powder weight, I pulled a dry bore snake through to return the barrel "cleaned" state and allowed the barrel to cool for 15 minutes whilst I let doggo out to stretch his legs and have a cuppa, me, not doggo.

First was the deer season to get my head in the game, adjust zero and to refoul the barrel, you can see how everything tightens up over the 10RDS

Then 10RDS at the given powder weights




Finally and because someone here suggested it, I did a 5RD group without the suppressor, I stopped at 5 because damn that's loud and there were maybe 10 cops with Gloks and Bushmaster's on the 20 metre range about 50m away and did I mention damn it's loud?!!


It's been a fascinating journey and along the way I've learnt some, got more questions and become far more aware of and critical of my shooting technique. It was also interesting to note that I shoot better off a bipod than a bench.