Help me with some 243 handloads tomorrow

[mshootnit]

Hi folks.
I never know where to start on OAL, can you give me a recommendation how many thou off the lands to load. I am loading up 40 rounds for late deer season. I do not have a schedule that allows step testing etc. So where many of you search for 1/2 moa, I want to hit less than 1.5 moa with this load, and go hunting.
I am starting off with RL 17 , WLR primers, SIE 100 gr. GK. No cannelure. These will be hunting loads.

How far off the lands would you seat in order to have a good chance at making good accurate rounds? I have measured with my Stoney point gauge so I know OAL to the lands.
Suggestions?

 

[LoonWulf]

well you picked a good bullet to try for a home run.
I havent found the SGKs to be particularly picky about jump. I would start at .01 off the lands for hunting loads. I would load 5 rounds each of 38-41 in 1gn increments, and STOP if you see any pressure sign.
I would shoot these for groups at 100. That should give you a pressure ladder as well as a pretty decent idea as to what kind of accuracy youll see from this bullet powder combo.

IF you want to try a 1 and done, than id go for 39.5gr

 

[mshootnit]

Thank you!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Loading just off the lands is an over used method. Too many loaders place importance on it. If you are shooting benchrest and you can win and lose with fractions of an inch sure, go for it but with hunting ammo, not so much.

Just a note to prove my point. There are companies selling match grade factory ammo which is accurate in many different brands of rifles and barrels. If loading just off the lands were so important how could that be so?

For hunting ammo pick a good bullet and be sure to prep your brass well. Be sure you have good neck tension, keep the charge weights accurate, choose a powder known to be good in the cartridge you're loading and be sure you are consistent when loading. That will do more for you that OAL most times.

Good luck on your hunt.

 

[murf]

make sure the round will fit in your magazine before you get too far along.

luck,

murf

 

[Blue68f100]

I always start at stated book value. And I never start closer than 0.020".

 

[RainDodger]

I tested extensively in my Sako .243 and found that it liked a rather large jump the best. In my case, I load my rounds .030" off the lands. One of the rangemasters at the range I frequent was a long range competitor years ago and he told me that he always found the best accuracy at .030" and even more. I doubted it at the time, and then I experimented myself and found the same thing in my case. It's going to be different for every rifle though - my ..243 happens to be a heavy barrel 1:10 twist ratio, which I think is pretty standard for the caliber. I also found that my barrel very much prefers lighter bullets. Although my Sako will shoot a 90 grain bullet ok, it really shines when I drop down as far a little bitty 60 grain varmint bullets, which was a surprise to me, based on twist ratio. Everyone is going to have a different answer for you, but only you will be able to determine what your rifle likes best.

ArchAngelCD hit the nail right on the head. I don't think it's gonna matter much.

 

[Captcurt]

I wouldn't worry about bullet jump for a hunting load as long as the pressure was ok and the cartridge fit the magazine. I can't load for most of my rifles too long to jam the bullet into the leades unless it is a round nose or has a funky ogive. When you get into benchrest and long range the jump can make a difference.

 

[mshootnit]

2.630" OAL touches the lands in this barrel with SIE 100gr. GK. Never seen a throat that short I don't think.

Strange day at the range. I think finally zeroed though

 

[redbullitt]

I would load start at specced COAL, and then to mag length, assuming they are not too long at that length!

2.630 does sound pretty short for most bullets. Do factory rounds work okay?

I have shot plenty of things at mag length. They can do just fine, so dont worry too much unless you are way below specced COAL and have pressure problems.

 

[Walkalong]

I never know where to start on OAL, can you give me a recommendation how many thou off the lands to load. I am loading up 40 rounds for late deer season. I do not have a schedule that allows step testing etc. So where many of you search for 1/2 moa, I want to hit less than 1.5 moa with this load, and go hunting.

Like posters have mentioned, load them to match the data or to fit the mag and be happy. Forget about chasing the lands.

 

[mshootnit]

2.630" touches the lands. I am thinking some factory loads come close to that.

 

[mshootnit]

If I went mag length with this outfit I think we would be jamming hard into the barrel.

 

[mshootnit]

Tried some loads last two days .030" off the lands. Yesterday one group would be nearly 1.5" at 200 meters the next would be 3.5". There was a quartering headwind, could have part of it. Then mysteriously the POI changed at least 5".
I think it has settled down now....

 

[RainDodger]

I'd check the action screws. And make sure your scope is tightened correctly... but that's just me.

 

[Sunray]

"...how many thou off the lands to load..." You can forget that altogether. It's a load tweaking technique that isn't necessary. It's also a 100% trial and error thing with every rifle. Isn't done until you have worked up the load. Then you can fiddle with the OAL if you feel like it. Never seen it to make any difference myself.
Just use the max OAL given in your manual. Save you a lot of mucking around. SAAMI Max OAL is 2.710"(I think that's too long though. Been eons, but I think I started at that long ago and had bullets stick in the rifling.) Minimum is 2.540". Hodgdon gives 2.650".