Thread: .243 load development part deux

Originally Posted by Tentman

Just ignore the negative guys who aren't contributing anything usefull. I have a Savage 6 CM here that you are welcome to borrow. It's a proven rifle that shoots just on MOA ( real 10 shot groups) and will come with enough ammo for an initial test. There is really goof factory ammo avaliable and while I haven't tried it, it's not a "fussy" barrel. PM me if you prefer.

Cheers man, that's very good of you, PM inbound, as for "those guys" they're just small yappy dogs, noisy, slightly irritating but of no consequence, I heed them not

@Stocky it's been observed that I'm reasonably steady behind the gun, checking my NPOI frequently shows that I'm in a good "relaxed" position and the trigger on the Franchi is uber light and has a nice break, so there's no yanking going on, more of a caress! My vastly more experienced mentor commented as such and he's got 30+ years of experience behind him so whilst he's not God, I take his comments as coming from someone who DOES know what they are on about. It may be as you say that I've been unlucky with my first choices and the gun is fussy...then again there's some flex in the forestock and it IS a budget gun, free float, scope and rings have been checked, crown looks good (after the cleaning lol) bedding has NOT been checked.

I'm not attached to making this gun work as it should if it becomes clear that I'm pushing poo uphill without a wheelbarrow, so we'll see what the next session brings and if it confirms that I'm shooting ok but the franchi isn't then maybe I go down the projectile party pack route OR put it to one side for now and get a gun that we know will shoot (but it's gotta be a .243 don't ask me why but it must) so then I can get ontop of the reloading again so I can actually go out and do some bloody hunting but I do want to get myself and the right gun inside that 1MOA. Later this year I'll be road tripping around the south island for a few months so I'd be keen to take you up on that offer as and when time allows.....

....the journey continues as does the learning and that's no bad thing imo

Originally Posted by 7mm tragic

This might be a bit out of left field and it is only a suggestion, nothing more.

Grab your .22 and a couple of boxes of standard velocity ammo and track down your closest small bore club whether it be a NZDA one or otherwise, introduce yourself and join in.

It's more fun than you might think and you will be able to gauge where you are at with you own ability. It will also improve your marksmanship regardless, and it wont cost the earth to do.

With any luck you may make some contacts that will be able to help you get the results your after.

Coincidentally enough I've just sent a missive off to Seadown Shooting Complex and once I've got my NZDA subs upto date I'll be dropping into South Canterbury branch
I have spent a lot of time and around 300 rounds with the 22/10 I use for possum control and that's been working well, I have on occasion knocked them over at 80M but it's not the same as shooting paper to see how my grouping is, hmmm

Have you actually changed scopes? We recently had a young fellow here (I did post about it) who was having problems with two rifles. The practically new from the box Swaro proved to be the culprit . . . After a mentoring shooter of 30+ years (me) was sorta thinking he was the problem . . .

Had similar results with the 95sst until I cloned the factory fiocchi sst shoots very well now

Originally Posted by Tentman

Have you actually changed scopes? We recently had a young fellow here (I did post about it) who was having problems with two rifles. The practically new from the box Swaro proved to be the culprit . . . After a mentoring shooter of 30+ years (me) was sorta thinking he was the problem . . .

New scope was already on the list of "to do" but that's a couple or so weeks away, that being said maybe I can swap the one on the Sako I'm trying next weekend, also, when you said "call me" I took you at your word not realising the time!

When you say the Swaro was the culprit....what was wrong with it?

Originally Posted by Kelton

Had similar results with the 95sst until I cloned the factory fiocchi sst shoots very well now

You're a bit thin on detail there mate, care to furnish?

Originally Posted by Zedrex

@Stocky it's been observed that I'm reasonably steady behind the gun, checking my NPOI frequently shows that I'm in a good "relaxed" position and the trigger on the Franchi is uber light and has a nice break, so there's no yanking going on, more of a caress! My vastly more experienced mentor commented as such and he's got 30+ years of experience behind him so whilst he's not God, I take his comments as coming from someone who DOES know what they are on about. It may be as you say that I've been unlucky with my first choices and the gun is fussy...then again there's some flex in the forestock and it IS a budget gun, free float, scope and rings have been checked, crown looks good (after the cleaning lol) bedding has NOT been checked.

I'm not attached to making this gun work as it should if it becomes clear that I'm pushing poo uphill without a wheelbarrow, so we'll see what the next session brings and if it confirms that I'm shooting ok but the franchi isn't then maybe I go down the projectile party pack route OR put it to one side for now and get a gun that we know will shoot (but it's gotta be a .243 don't ask me why but it must) so then I can get ontop of the reloading again so I can actually go out and do some bloody hunting but I do want to get myself and the right gun inside that 1MOA. Later this year I'll be road tripping around the south island for a few months so I'd be keen to take you up on that offer as and when time allows.....

....the journey continues as does the learning and that's no bad thing imo

For bedding all i check usually is that as i torque either screw alone the action doesnt tilt. If it does id maybe bed it. Even then its pretty low on the list. Ive only had issues with foreend flex with minimal free float and loaded bipods.

If you can achieve 20-30 shots inside 1.5-1.75moa id be very happy. It will usually present as mostly 10 shot groups around an inch. Im taking a rifle to Alaska that shoots about that.

If you decide to try something different a 223 is very cheap to feed pleasant to shoot and everyone should own one. Otherwise staying with 243 will help you minimise reloa8dng component coast. And mean buying projectiles can be used in multiple rifles.

Originally Posted by Zedrex

Cheers man, that's very good of you, PM inbound, as for "those guys" they're just small yappy dogs, noisy, slightly irritating but of no consequence, I heed them not

I find with yappy dogs there's usually one ring leader that starts them off.
If you can get the message through to that one the rest usually shut up.
Takes a bit to get the message through some times.

Originally Posted by Kelton

Had similar results with the 95sst until I cloned the factory fiocchi sst shoots very well now

Sorry mate sako 75 so long mag started at mag length and near gave up went into Wilson’s to see if they had anything factory with the 95sst and copied the length of the fiochhi and it sorted it out

I find it funny as fook and sad in same breath. The suggestion to buy n try a box of federal blue box is ignored/ shunned yet suggestion to buy multiple sample packs is not..... The Blue box stuff is NORMALLY very good in most rifles so if it's not in your rifle....look elsewhere for a problem.... Just like swapping scope eliminates possibility your scope is on the fizz.... You try something that's known to be good to COMPARE results... Same with swapping out the nut behind the butt. You remove the unknown quantity/ variable and replace with a known one. A leadsled...sandbags,works the same way...you try to remove as much of human factor as possible. Heck I consider a bipod like this,but know if light rifle it can add more if not held securely.heavy rifle lets you away with a lot of sins. If it's wanted. I'm free next weekend. I have numerous accurate rifles that are stupidly easy to shoot well. I can come to washdyke to assist. Entirely up to you

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I find it funny as fook and sad in same breath. The suggestion to buy n try a box of federal blue box is ignored/ shunned yet suggestion to buy multiple sample packs is not..... The Blue box stuff is NORMALLY very good in most rifles so if it's not in your rifle....look elsewhere for a problem.... Just like swapping scope eliminates possibility your scope is on the fizz.... You try something that's known to be good to COMPARE results... Same with swapping out the nut behind the butt. You remove the unknown quantity/ variable and replace with a known one. A leadsled...sandbags,works the same way...you try to remove as much of human factor as possible. Heck I consider a bipod like this,but know if light rifle it can add more if not held securely.heavy rifle lets you away with a lot of sins. If it's wanted. I'm free next weekend. I have numerous accurate rifles that are stupidly easy to shoot well. I can come to washdyke to assist. Entirely up to you

We must be the yappy dogs. After two threads of this and a million words spilled, I just think the OP is an idiot.

@Micky Duck hearing ya man, I've not discounted the federal. If money wasn't an issue I'd just go buy a box of every available factory ammo and see what was best. My plan for now is to try out the Sako alongside the Franchi with my loads and another set and I've some deer season left to try in the Sako as well, so that will eliminate (or not) those variables, along with swapping out the scope. If we're still scratching our heads then blue box may be well worth a try. I'm not ignoring peoples. suggestions rather I'm trying to make only one change at a time so that I'm clear on which changes show an improvement. Range time next week is limited as it's an open day so I won't have free run of the place. Once I've got my membership sorted It'd be awesome if you brought down a bunch of rifles for me to try, hell I'll even bring morning tea!

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Originally Posted by Kelton

Sorry mate sako 75 so long mag started at mag length and near gave up went into Wilson’s to see if they had anything factory with the 95sst and copied the length of the fiochhi and it sorted it out

Gotcha, So what was the change from your previous loads to cloning the fiocchi? Did you seat closer to the lands, different powder/weight?

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Originally Posted by Zedrex

Gotcha, So what was the change from your previous loads to cloning the fiocchi? Did you seat closer to the lands, different powder/weight?

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Seated much further away didn’t play with powder charge or type previous to that tested 2209 rl26 and superformance