243 powder load

I will have to say. I own 2, 243's a weatherby s2 and a M77 ruger and other than real light bullets like 55's or 60's they shoot under 1.5 in groups at 100 yds right up to 100 gr PSP's I have never tried anything heavier than 100's though.
 
I was in the same boat,but mine groups were a little worse than yours,just under 2ins.

70s-80s at 1in. or under.

I don,t want to discourage you from finding your happy load,but I gave in and bought a rifle with a 1-9 twist and solved my problem.


Rifles
Howa 1500 10-1
Ruger Hawkeye 9-1
 
I've got a 7-08 for hunting what I want. Husband has been wanting a lighter rifle and I'm thinking of trading this one for a 300 win mag in a Tikka also. We use 223 and 22-250 for varmints. This one has been a pain for deer loads.
 
My daughter's Mark X .243 winchester loves 100 grn Sierra Game kings with 47.5 grains of Winchester Supreme 780.
Wendy, I don't see any signs of pressure with that load but it may be near max, start at least 10% lower and work up..
It shoots under an inch at 100 yds, pal 2.345.
 
Wendy: Did you do an actually measurement of the length to the lands?

i.e. with a Hornady comprador or equal? I know you can do it with various seated bullet combos but I find the Hornady type system the best.

The jump can vary dramatically not only from rifle to rifle but bullet type to bullet type.

Sierra has a pretty non picky design, Horandy has one that can be real picky and they suggest trying various lengths staring at or close to the lands and moving back.

I had one rifle that I was not getting anywhere until I realized it had a 1903 chamber not a 1917 chamber and how they setup the lands (square on the 1917 and tapered on the 1903. It likes the 1903 setup and getting good groups out of it (with iron sights and bad eyes)

I have not measured a Tika but I have worked with two Sakos and they had very long chambers. Ok shooters with the COAL form the book but much better when adjusted to match the longer chamber.
 
For all my rifles I've sent a fired shell to Hornady to fit the compareter. I measure all my bullets with them. Cost a little bit but it's been worth it on most of my bottle neck bolt actions.
 
Wendy:

Not the shoulder comparator, the bullet comparator.

http://www.hornady.com/store/Lock-N-Load-.224-.308-Comparator-Set-With-6-Bullet-Inserts/

Its supposed to be used to the ogive but I use it to the tip and then adjust, it has various caliber adapters for each caliber.

Its a fake shell with a screw setup in the back, thread onto the comparer, case is looks enough to push the bullet into the lands, tighten a set screw and it holds the base of the bullet

Pull it out an push bullet (or use a cleaning rod to push the bullet out as well, I used a non metallic one) then you mike the base to tip distance (or the ogive which is better but I find I do fine without it.

Its not dead accurate as the tips are all a bit different but for setback it is close enough to allow you to leave a tad longer or short.

Ultimately if you get too long the bolt closes hard or not at all.

Each bullet tip is different form types within an mfg line as well as weight so you need that data for each bullet and usually in each individual gun.
 
The old Stoney Point now Hornady Lock N Load modified cases are integral to the reloading process IMO. For years i did the bullet jammed, measure the cleaning rod technique and it was marginal at best, especially on lead tipped bullets. The modified case and the comparator are both dirt cheap and de rigeur for determining cartridge overall length for any given rifle.
 
I'm referring to bullet compareter. You can send 2 fired cases not sized to Hornady and they drill and thread the base to support the threaded rod to insert bullet and push into the rifling for measurements. I'v bought most like this 243 but have sent a few in for bench guns that have been forms to my chamber. Then I measure to the ogive
 
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