22/243 rifle:

ronniea · #1 03-05-2007, 04:25 PM

Can somebody gave me information about a 22/243. Reloading information. I am building it on a savage receiver.

Varmint Hunter · #2 03-05-2007, 05:07 PM

Assuming that you have a fast twist barrel (8") you can save lots of time, money and throat wear by starting with RE22 and using 80gr SMK's or 75gr A-Max bullets. Other powders may work too but RE22 seems to be accurate and fast in all the 22/243 guns that I am familiar with.

With an 80gr bullet you will peak out at around 47 grains. I'd start with 10% less and work up while breaking in your barrel.

AJ Peacock · #3 03-05-2007, 05:24 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Assuming that you have a fast twist barrel (8") you can save lots of time, money and throat wear by starting with RE22 and using 80gr SMK's or 75gr A-Max bullets. Other powders may work too but RE22 seems to be accurate and fast in all the 22/243 guns that I am familiar with.

With an 80gr bullet you will peak out at around 47 grains. I'd start with 10% less and work up while breaking in your barrel.

[/ QUOTE ]

According to Quickload, RE-22 tops out around 44gr with the 75gr A-max. 47grains is a compressed load with a load density around 109% and WAY over pressure.

Be careful, different seating depths and brass thicknesses can change pressures drastically.

According to Quickload, a MAXIMUM load of 44.8gr of RE-22 gives a velocity of around 3380fps for the 75gr A-max and a 24" barrel (COAL 2.65") (105% load density).

I have no direct experience with the 22-243, just plugged the numbers into Quickload for you.

Hope this helps,
Don

chickenman · #4 03-05-2007, 06:19 PM

I am shooting 45 grn of reloader 25 with a 80 berger jammed into lands shoots 3 tenths at 300 3 shot group, do not have a chrono but I think its about 3400 according to drop. I love thi rifle.

Varmint Hunter · #5 03-06-2007, 05:43 PM

I've been shooting mostly the 22-243 in the Ackley configuration. I regularely use 48.2gr RE22 under a 75gr A-Max moly bullet that is loaded .007" into the rifling. Velocity is 3,670 ft/sec. Lapua brass life has been good. Best group to date has been .625" fired at 600yds (witnessed). Groundhogs drop to the shot out to 1,000yds with this combo.

I'm very surprised at the "max load" and "loading density" indicated by your Quickload software. It doesn't seem to jive with my loading experience BUT I am shooting the AI varient. Hmmmmm

Several 22-243 shooters that I know are getting the same velocity as I am (using RE22) but with slightly less powder. I assume that they were also working at higher pressure because of the slightly reduced case capacity.

AJ Peacock:: Thanks for your input and words of caution to the original poster. Wildcats tend to be strange beasts and it is always best to err on the side of caution. While my experience has provided me with some specific data, it can only be considered as a single source of information that should not be the exclusive source for working up loads in any other rifle. For that matter, <font color="red"> ALL </font> loading data posted on the internet should be verified by reliable sources before assembling ammo.

OK - class is dismissed now. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

AJ Peacock · #6 03-06-2007, 06:11 PM

[ QUOTE ]

AJ Peacock:: Thanks for your input and words of caution to the original poster. Wildcats tend to be strange beasts and it is always best to err on the side of caution. While my experience has provided me with some specific data, it can only be considered as a single source of information that should not be the exclusive source for working up loads in any other rifle. For that matter, <font color="red"> ALL </font> loading data posted on the internet should be verified by reliable sources before assembling ammo.

OK - class is dismissed now. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

VH: what is the water capacity of the 22-243 AI? as that variant isn't listed in Quickload. The 22-243 shows a water capacity of 50 grains of water.

Thanks,
Don

cinch · #7 03-06-2007, 06:25 PM

I shoot a 75gr Amax with 48 grains Rel 25 and a Federal 210 primer. My oal is 2.750. Everyone I know in this neck of the woods shoots about the exact same load. This is in a 22-243 Winchester with a 1 in 8 26" on a Remington 700.