Gents,
I'm loading for one of my problem children, Ruger No.1a .243 Winchester.
I have a couple of boxes of the above listed bullets and wanted to load a few to test.
I used VV N160. Hornady lists this load at 3200 fps. I only load 5 rounds for testing but today did just 4.
I happened to look at a burn chart just now and N160 is # 135 whereas Varget, which is also listed as a powder, is #108. Quite a bit faster.
I had the N160, so I ran with it, is it too slow for a bullet only 65 grains??
Also is anyone running the 65s in a 10 twist .243? If so, what is your accuracy?
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Semper Fidelis
Soup
V-V also lists N160 for that bullet in .243, max velocity beyond 3400 fps. Sounds like you are golden.
Let us know how it works out.
I've been running IMR 4064 and RL 15 with that bullet...
3031 has been a good powder also, for accuracy and velocity... as is AR Comp....
I shoot the 65 vmax in a 1-10 243. Currently using Varget with excellent accuracy. I’ve never chrono’d the load though.
I’ve had excellent results with superformance and the 70 grain tnt also in the 243, and when I’m done with my stash of varget loads I’ll try that powder with the 65’s.
Folks,
I shot both the 70 grain Ballistic Tips and the 65 grain V Maxs today in my No.1a.
I couldn't get 3 shots together!!
I'm determined to get it to shoot, but right about now I'm getting pretty frustrated.
I also had a No.1V in 22-250 I shot waiting for the .243 to cool between shots. It was also a bust today.
The N160 / 65 V Maxs shot about 1.5"
Semper Fidelis
Soup
Soup, I would go with a faster powder, 4895's, AR Comp, IMR 4064, Varget, 3031
I doubt if you can touch the lands with that bullet in your chamber, which leads to banging your head on the wall.
Thank you for your prompt reply
I understand you have 65's, but the 87 V-max is the easy button for 6mm/243 that's steeper twist than 1-14.
87’max is what I had in mind when I had that particular 243 re-barreled. But, I got a truckload of 65 grain blems that I will probably never burn through and they’ve worked great for varmint shooting.
I ended up with about 7 or 8 boxes for cheap of the 65 VMaxes...
I have played with all sorts of loads with them...as of late:
Using Unique, Blue Dot, Alliant Steel, 4198, RL 7, AA 2015
just fun to play with and also easy on the barrels...
They've been pretty accurate out of my 243 Rugers, Model 70s, Rem ADL..
Been shooting them at Steel at 300 and 400 yds...pretty consistent. and proven very accurate...
need to put a 6 x 45 barrel on one of the rifles, which I think would be more practical fun...
loaded up with 70 gr TNT and 75 grain HPs also....
I have shot those 65 grain VMAXs in several 243s and my 6mmBR. They shoot very well for me. The 6BR has a 14" twist, and the 243s have faster twists. I use Varget (if I have any), but any powder in that burn range works fine - IMR 4895, IMR 4064, etc. In my Tikka 243 I prefer the 75 grain VMAX, but that's not what you are using. Keep trying.
Jerseyboy,
I've got Varget-N140-CFE223-760-N150-IMR4350.
I'm down in southern NJ, you know getting supplies gets worse every day.
I'll load up some more since I've got 3 boxes but with a faster powder.
Also remember it's a Ruger No.1a!!
Soup
Gents
Yesterday I loaded some 65 V Max with IMR4064,R/P brass and Remington 9 1/2 L/R primers .
4 loads of 5 rounds, starting @ 37.7-38.2-38.7-33.9 .
All are less than Hornadys Max load of 41.2.
Velocity starts at 3300fps to 3400fps.
Hope to get to the range but weather will tell me when.
Semper Fidelis
Soup
I use 65 v max in my 240 weatherby. It’s great on coyotes, unless you’re saving fur.
Soup,
With bullets that light, if you are using a 243 and are looking for velocity, I'd suggest 4198, RL 7, 2015 AA, even 1680 for it..
the faster powders would probably give you that max velocity if that is what you are chasing.. and accuracy should be there...
a chrony would tell the truth on Max velocity being fact or fiction...
Popped some old loaded ammo off yesterday, I'd loaded back in like 2009....
Did fine at 100 yds, tight groups... 20 rounds...
65 V Max... 12.5 grains of Unique....in 243....
just plinkin fun... I've got about 7 or 8 boxes of 100 rounds each.... probably 12 to 15 years old...
Special internet pricing from Midway or Mid South....was with the receipt, but it was pretty darn faded....
Fellows,
I finally got to the range today. It was a beautiful day to boot!
Tried the different loads of IMR 4064 with a 65 grain V Max and hit a sweet spot.
In my Ruger no.1a it shot about 1/2" with all but 1 shot in a ragged hole.
I used Remington 9 1/2 primers and seated the 65s .10 form my base to ogive.
An early Happy Birthday to all my Brother Marines
Semper Fidelis
Soup
As some others have said I would lean toward one of the faster powders. 3031 maybe. I shoot that bullet in one of my 6BR's. at around 3,300 fps it will shoot the wiggle out of a coyote. Excellent bullet for that purpose.
Good Luck,
Rick