F-CLASS 243 ACKLEY

[farmerboy78]

I just won an auction on gb for my new competition rifle. It's a whidden gunworks build using a master class fiberglass stock, broughton 31" 8 twist barrel, kelbly action coned bolt, and a jewel BR trigger. I'll post up some pictures when I receive it! But for now, do you guys have any load data using 105+gr bullets?

 

[Howard Roark]

Here you go from the man himself. I recommend extreme caution in trying to achieve the quoted velocity as it is well beyond what VV loading data states (at least for 243 Win). I'm sure that he would be glad to speak to you if you called him.

Championship-Winning Load: Berger Bullets, Lapua Brass, and Vihtavuori N160
For a load, currently I’m shooting Lapua brass, PMC primers (Russian, similar to Wolf), VihtaVuori N160 single-base powder, and Berger 105 grain Hybrid bullets. I switched to the Hybrid bullets fairly recently at the beginning of the 2015 season. Previously I shot the 105gr Berger hunting VLDs, and in testing I found that the Hybrids were just as accurate without having to seat the bullet into the lands. The velocity of this combination when shot through the excellent Bartlein 5R barrels (32” length) is around 3275 FPS.

For my match ammo, I seat the Berger 105 Hybrids well off the lands — my bullets are “jumping” from .035″-.060″. I only use one seating depth for ammunition for multiple guns (I know some benchrest shooters will stop reading right here!) and the bullets jump further in the worn barrels than in the fresh barrels. The bullets are pointed up in our Bullet Pointing Die System and are moly-coated. The moly (molybdenum disulfide) does extend the cleaning interval a little bit, probably 20% or so. The Lapua .243 Win brass is all neck-turned to .0125″ thickness.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2016/08/whidden-on-winning-at-long-range-part-2-the-cartridge/

 

[Sunray]

There's 105 and 107 grain data on Reloader's Nest. One unverified Varget load using a 105 on Handloads.com. And a bunch of info and data at the bottom here. http://www.6mmbr.com/243win.html
Whidden-on-winning is talking about the .243 Win, not the Ackley.

 

[LoonWulf]

.243AIs gotta be a barrel muncher, but i bet its fast

Ive never worked with any of the AIs, or bullets over 100grns, but slower powders should be top of the list. Im thinking retumbo might work pretty well, dunno how it would be in a competition setting.
Ill run some data on QL when i get home tonight.

 

[Slamfire]

Don't shoot out the barrel developing loads! The accuracy lifetime of a standard 243 barrel is less than a 1000 rounds.

 

[farmerboy78]

Well David tubby is using a boron coating (like moly) on his 6xc and getting around 3000rds. Gonna try that stuff definitely.

 

[LoonWulf]

Id def try the Boron coating if it helps. The 243AI shows about 10grn more water capacity than the 6xc, should be significantly faster. Id take any advantage i could get to keeping the barrel cool and reducing ware.

 

[Nature Boy]

congrats farmerboy.

 

[Bart B.]

Rapid fire won't wear out barrels any faster than slow fire. You may shoot a few shots rapid fire in F class matches.

High pressure and over bore capacity cartridges wear out barrels. 243 case uses 40% more powder than its bore capacity is rated at and gets half the barrel life of the 6PPC with its charge weight at the 28 grain bore capacity. Bore capacity equals 1 grain of powder for each square millimeter of bore diameter cross section area.

David Tubb got 1500 round barrel life with 243 Win barrels.

 

[Gordon]

I have been shooting the .243 AI for years, I use it for hunting with older school 100 grain bullets and the mellow H4831sc load I use is about 2990fps +- 20 FPS out of a 24" barrel which has maybe 1200 rounds thru it and still looks great but throat is moved forward about .010 from new chamber. It is a great round and I could see it being very competitive with those low drag bullets in long barrels.

 

[farmerboy78]

Thanks guys, I'm just eeaaager to get it in my hands

 

[LoonWulf]

I bet! Post up some pictures when it comes in and let us know how it shoots

 

[LoonWulf]

Playing with QLs it LOOKs like you should be able to get close to 3200fps with a 108 and that long barrel, and 115-117 at 3100-3150. This is assuming youve got a 2.9 or longer oal.
Pretty Spiffy!

 

[Nature Boy]

Looking for pics as well

 

[LoonWulf]

Which Kelbly action did you get?

 

[dh1633pm]

I thought you liked the creedmoor? Seems like you got yourself an excellent new rifle. From what I read about it you have a kazillion choices for brass and bullets, although you might have to fireform some. Seems H4831 or H4350 might be go to powders. Congrats.

 

[farmerboy78]

Well, I do like the creedmoor, but circumstances a little while back forced me to sell a few guns and the creedmoor was in that group.

The seller told me that he was getting 3150 fps with a boron coated dtac. So I'm anxious to get her.

 

[dh1633pm]

You did make a sweet choice. Keep in touch and let me know how she shoots.

 

[farmerboy78]

Playing with QLs it LOOKs like you should be able to get close to 3200fps with a 108 and that long barrel, and 115-117 at 3100-3150. This is assuming youve got a 2.9 or longer oal.
Pretty Spiffy!

The OAL on this cartridge will be 3.31" with a 115 DTAC. The rifle will be delivered today, but I can't pick it up until tomorrow

 

[LoonWulf]

VERY Nice! Ill try re run using that length. Should be a real screamer.

 

[farmerboy78]

Well here she is all put together and zeroed... its a whidden gunworks build, using a kelbly panda fclass action, broughton barrel, jewel br trigger, robertson masterclass fiberglass stock, kelbly 2 screw dovetail rings, vortex golden eagle scope...

 

[LoonWulf]

Super sweet rig! I really dig that stock.

 

[Nature Boy]

Farmerboy. That's an awesome rig!

Did you disclose how much you paid for it or are you trying to maintain plausible deniability?

 

[LoonWulf]

trying to maintain plausible deniability?

Anyone (specifically someone) whos questioned me on the cost of a gun purchase has, usually, no regard for plausible..........
I always seem to be falling back to "this old thing?"

 

[Nature Boy]

Anyone (specifically someone) whos questioned me on the cost of a gun purchase has, usually, no regard for plausible..........
I always seem to be falling back to "this old thing?"

"....I got a GREAT DEAL on it, you would be proud of me for how much I saved.......hey, what's for dinner......oh, and did I tell you how beautiful you look today?....."