Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting 243 WSSM / 105gr A-Max / H-1000....First Visit!

So I've got this Factory Browning A-Bolt Varmint Stalker in 243 WSSM. It's as accurate as any of my customs in the safe; a 1/2 MOA rifle. I've had it for years and even though I've shot everything from prairie dogs to Mule Deer with it, I basically use it as a coyote rifle. I've made MOST of my long range kills with this rifle, including a coyote at 934 yards. It shoots the 70 gr Nosler BT really well...





I really haven't spent too much time trying to work a load with a better BC'd bullet. I shot the 95 grain Nosler BT for a while but just settled on so so accuracy. Lately I've tried to shoot the 95 grain Berger Hunting VLD, but really didn't come up with anything worth while. It's a 10 twist barrel and I thought maybe that was the problem.

After seeing Tanner's .243 AI thread, I got to thinking about the 105 A-Max. I did some research on what to use in the WSSM for powder, but could only find data for the 243 Remington. A lot of guys are using some really slow stuff like Retumbo and H-1000, so I tried the H-1000 in the WSSM and shot an Audette Ladder this am....

It shot great.



That whole ladder ranging in powder charge amost 3 grains measures 5" at 330 yards.

The node was shots 1, 2, 3, and possible 4. I shot some groups with loads 2, 3, and 4 at 330 yards...








Interesting thing here that shows you can't always go by SD or ES when choosing a load.

Load #2 shot the tightest group. 7 shots in 1 3/4". Velocities ranged from 3026 to 3062

Load #3 which is bigger in size had the tightest velocities from 3056 to 3064 for the 7 shots. The last 3 were 3059, 3059, 3060 and strung vertically by 3"

I'm really pumped about this load and can't wait to load some up, put them on steel to nail the drops, then some long range fur!

I witnessed RC shoot the 95 gr vlds at 760 yards Really impressive for a factory gun with a Tupperware stock. Congrats on the 105's. You just couldnt leave it alone. I will say that you are one of the true master loaders. Thanks for the post!

Cool, Rick! I'm not surprised one bit that they stabilize out of your rifle.

Sweet groups, and great speed. You're lovin' it.

Hey Bella!

As per your suggestion, I bedded it with Pro Bed 2000!

Thanks Tanner! I'm PUMPED UP!

Awesome I bedded 6 rifles last Saterday.3 were Tupperware. 2 HS. And 1 B&C wanted to shoot but it was too windy ,even for a Fat BOY. I've had good luck bedding Tupperware . Drill some holes use putty and go for it! Never seems to hurt. Did it help?

No doubt! What are you using for a scope on this rifle?

.5 BC/3100fps... <$20/100 FOR 105 A-Maxes... I'm having a really hard time finding something not to love!!

The bedding helped!

It doesn't get any shorter and FATTER than this!...

It's a VX 2 6-18 with the LRV duplex. Target knobs.

Cheap and great!

Sweetness, Rick. You'll have fun with that one!

Hey Rick, how's that case feed?

Thanks for the heads up on it working!

Hey Tanner,
I used to have some real problems with feeding out if the detachable magazine, but just recently solved it with some "Sicilian Engineering".





Most people think you need to bend and adjust the little "wings" on the mag box to help on the A-Bolt. I tried everything to no avail.

I really looked hard at the problem and realized it was the plastic "shoulder bump" deal that surrounds the front of the follower. It didn't hug the follower enough to bump the shoulder and force the case upward into the chamber.

I shimmed the plastic shoulder bump deal away from the metal mag box sides temporarily with simple folded paper so it would hug the front of the follower.

It feeds flawlessly now!

I run the 105 amax and H1000 in my 243 win and it shoots great right at 3080 fps. I've ran them up to almost 3200.

Bb

What's your load in the 243 win that gets 3200?

It's over book and starting to show pressure signs in my gun but 48 g h1000 and a cci 250 in Norma brass does it from my 26" brux.

Bb

I have been wanting a 243wssm. You really got me thinking now!

Went out today with the new load to get a good 200 yard zero and shoot out to 760 yards with a spotter to get solid data.

Shot a .75" 200 yard 3 shot group at sight in then went out to 760.

During development, chrono'd at 3040 fps. Plugged that into Ballistic AE, shot at 760 and was a foot low?!?! Dialed up until I was making good consistent hits and elevation was right

Had to drop the velocity input into the program to 2725 to match actual shooting drops?!?!

When finished adjusting the program, used the data output to make first round hits at 220, 330, 430, 550, 650, 710 and 760 in that order!

Whatever works!

I wonder if the bullet's BC is being F'd up somehow because of the slow twist?

Had to hold slightly LEFT in wind from 1 O'clock too at longer ranges?!

Don't think I was canting either....

Sounds like a switchy wind and maybe a down draft. Did you make sure to put ALL the correct inputs into the app?

Yep. Kestrel atmosphere as always!

Wind could have been switchy as you say. After I was done with it, I got the .264 WM out and shot at the same ranges. Had to hold right side to spank steel (and it did), but conditions could have changed.

BTW, EVERYBODY needs to experience 140 grainers with a .313 G7 at 3230 at long range! Simply SICK.

Rick, maybe re-zero at 100 to see if anything got bumped or isn't lining up right. Something ain't right there!