Originally Posted by Scorpion
Working up loads in a vanilla 243 with '17 and the 80 grain TTSX. Not much of a long range load, but I'll conjure up something with the 105 A-Max as far as that goes. Going to have this rifle punched AI eventually, just need to figure out when.

No pressure signs whatsoever. Safely worked up to 46 grains of '17 thus far, might see how far I can push it for the sake of curiosity. Hunted with this rifle shooting 45 grains of '17, which pushed the 80 grain bullet around 3350 fps. I can vouch that the deer did not appreciate this load in the least. Accuracy was there, too. Shot two groups at 100 yards in haste after getting it on paper before the season. First was off a pretty unsteady rest and was 5/8" center to center. Second group was a CH larger than 1/4". I highly doubt that I'll be able to replicate the 1/4" group, but I'm not going to complain.

[Linked Image]


Here's what Quickload shows. I just got the program last week, so if there's anything I messed up on, please let me know. Wasn't sure on your barrel length, so I inputed a nice average of 23 inches.

Cartridge : .243 Win.
Bullet : .243, 80, Barnes 'TTSX' BT 24338
Useable Case Capaci: 49.229 grain H2O = 3.196 cm�
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length : 23.0 inch = 584.2 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-17

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 76 36.00 2705 1300 30994 9447 94.1 1.367
-18.0 78 36.90 2771 1364 33060 9717 95.3 1.333
-16.0 79 37.80 2836 1429 35271 9969 96.3 1.299
-14.0 81 38.70 2902 1496 37634 10202 97.3 1.266
-12.0 83 39.60 2968 1564 40161 10415 98.1 1.234
-10.0 85 40.50 3033 1634 42866 10606 98.8 1.203
-08.0 87 41.40 3097 1704 45762 10774 99.3 1.169
-06.0 89 42.30 3161 1775 48865 10917 99.7 1.135
-04.0 91 43.20 3225 1847 52193 11035 99.9 1.102 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 93 44.10 3287 1919 55761 11126 100.0 1.070 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 95 45.00 3349 1992 59592 11201 100.0 1.039 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 96 45.90 3410 2065 63711 11273 100.0 1.009 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 98 46.80 3470 2139 68139 11341 100.0 0.980 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 100 47.70 3529 2213 72909 11406 100.0 0.953 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 102 48.60 3588 2287 78032 11468 100.0 0.926 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 104 49.50 3647 2362 83510 11526 100.0 0.900 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!