its the same thing every time....clean brass, size case, prime case, measure powder, seat bullet, crimp case......but it some how never gets old, the last vid keeps my attention just the same as the first one I watched! Love ya Johnny!
Man this series is going to be great. Definitely give a back story on each one you pull out of the safe. Every day I check for a new video from ya bud. Keep it coming
Every one I've had other than my old varmint special that I have now was 9 1/8 . My varmint special is 1 in 10 twist. I've had really good luck with 87 grain vld bergers and 70gr blitzkings also. 243 hands down my favorite cartridge.
Thank you. Grandpa was in good company. My father, uncles, cousins & a brother were all 243 folk. So after all these years I got a compact 243 for my youngest to hunt deer. 39.0 gr. Of Staball & 100gr. BTSP. Harvested his first deer @ just under 100 yards last year.
A lightweight 243 is a joy to carry in the field and shoot accurately in the field. The 1 shot Moment of Deer Vitals ("MODV") with mine is 100%. Love these random what's in your safe videos. Surely, there is a 30-30 in the safe needing some love?
I have 3 243’s my oldest rifle and first one I bought brand new Rem 788 for $99 with a 4X scope for myself (early 1970’s) and best load is 42.5 gr of imr 4350 and a 95 gr nosler partition, I have taken a lot of deer with that, that first winter with it I also shot 2 coyotes back then there was a $45 bounty on them so paid for the rifle almost right there
Absolutely love the REM 788’s I have a 6mm and a 22-250 they are my favorite rifles. Every time I’ve had them out at the range I have guys wanting to buy them 🤣
243 is actually where I found a nice niche for a few pounds of 4451 I bought. It has become my favorite 243 powder now. Both 80 and 100 grain out of 1 in 9.25 twist. I found it worked best at or close to max in both weights and well above the load you tested . I have used both fed and cci primers with good results.
I bought my son a Remington 660. He killed his first deer with it at 70ish yards with factory ammo. Later on I started loading and was trying 95-103 grain bullets and it shot 9-10” groups. After some research and some mentoring I figured out it was a short barrel and a 1/10 twist and simply wouldn’t stabilize them. In the mean time I had gotten him a .308. This video makes me wanna load some lighter bullets and test this theory. Thanks for the video man!
80 gr ttsx or the 85 sierras in this vid are a sure thing. Give it a try. My 243s have all been easy to load for. Pretty much anything from 55 varmageddon to 95 btips. Any powder from 4064 clear up to R26. It's nothing to just pick a middle of the road charge and shoot 1-1/4 groups. Obviously with some tinkering they do much better. In my experience it's easier to load for then a 308.
I've been shooting a 600 Mohawk in .243 since 1976. It's a half MOA( no bullshit) rifle with 4831 SC, 42.5 grains of it. 95 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips, once fired Federal cases and Rem 9 1/2 primer. If your 660 is shooting 10 inch groups, there is something wrong with gun or sighting system. I use a Leupold 1.5 - 4 and shoot under 1 inch groups at 200 yards.
Holy shit I have the same rifle same scope bought at wal mart n early 2000s…I wanted a 7mm and dad came in one Christmas with it and me and mom run all night tryin to find a long action scope so I’d have it come mornin…opening day of rifle season..Simmons ATV… 4.5x14x40..display models all they had …little over $500 for scope and rifle..I’m dyin to start upgrading that 7mm 700 action into a precision rifle…thanks again Johnny..matt
Talk about coincidences! I have been loading for a H&R Handi Rifle in .243 and a Ruger American in .243 for the last 3 weeks. I hadn't shot either since 2012 and just got the bug to play with them again.
So much good information in all of your videos. Apparently, I am not very good at reading directions, so you help to remind me of all of the little details, like the Lee seating die does not having a crimp, and proper method for setting the die. I also love all of these “What’s in my safe videos”. The back story makes them even more interesting.
I bought a savage axis First gen in .243 this year The trigger pull on it was TERRIBLE. Had to be 9 lbs I swear. Not that I wanted “creep” but it was just so HEAVY. wouldn’t have been a good gun to learn on for a youngster, for sure. And I bought it in a youth model on purpose. It gave me a flinch I never had to deal with because I was just never ready for the trigger break. I just felt like I couldn’t ever “learn” that trigger like I have with my other guns. I bought a Timeny and it’s FANTASTIC. Best improvement I have made for a cheap gun. Shoots just fine. 3/4 inch groups with factory ammo from federal is just fine for me for a deer gun. Have 2 other savage rifles and the triggers are just fine. But they’re different models. I look forward to reloading for it soon
I had the same experience with a .243 Savage Axis without the Accu trigger that was my grand daughter’s gun. I had my gunsmith do a trigger job on it and that turned it into a sweet shooting rig. No way a kid could have hit anything with it the way it was.
Our favorite deer load is with 87gr Hornady Sp with CCI primers and 45gr of 4831. It’s a pretty spicy load I’d definitely work up to it, super accurate though. Many deer hunts with one shot and done. Falls off pretty quick after about 350 yards. Not sure that you can still get the bullets.
I'm loving these videos man... I've got a safe full of guns I've inherited and I'll try to get a deer or 2 every year with some of them. I already worked up a load for a 6" Dan Wesson 357 Magnum for this year. It was the very 1st gun my grandmother bought for my granddad when they got married 60+ years ago. He would hunt with it every now and then so I'm really looking forward to this deer season. Again loving the videos brother keepem coming!!!
Funny timing! Just paused my 6.5 PRC testing to make a coyote load for the 243. Loaded 70gr Varmagedon, 75gr Vmax, and 87gr Vmax last night with IMR 4320. Tonight will be 65gr Berger. Can't wait to head to the hills to see what happens. Never reloaded for it before. Groups with factory ammo were near 3" prior and the barrel was touching near the front sling stud. May have to learn how to properly bed?
Definitely gotta be careful with any sort of torsion on the forearm of these budget hunting rifles. My savage axis is free floated but can very easily touch the sides of the barrel with minimal pressure.
Again love bringing out the family hunting guns. My Compass does just ok with Staball6.5 in 6.5 creed. Best groups come from IMR4350. Warm biscuits, butter and a little molasses.
Sam's bullit same rifle I used target powder Winchester primers it gave me fits as well. I Findley got a 1 hole group my mother and 10 year old son love that load
Thanks for another interesting video Mate. I’ve had Good accuracy results with those 85gn GKings and 36.5gn Varget around 2950fps in my 243. 43.5gn of H4350 was about 200fps faster at around 3150fps.
Entertaining video, What is it…that makes me want to watch these videos and enjoy them!? I don’t understand it but I’m sure there is something to it on a psychological level!
Every gun likes it's own diet, but sometimes guys overthink it, get locked into their process and end up in the weeds. My 600 Mohawk in .243 is a sub moa rifle with Federal Power Shok factory loads. That's minute of deer, and then some. With 4831 SC, 95 gr Nosler Ballistic tip, once fired Federal brass and Rem LR primers, I loaded 42, 42.5 and 43 grain rounds. I shot a .600 three shot group at 200 yards. This, with a Carbine. This is a very accurate caliber. If not, it's the gun or the shooter.
I bought a Savage 6mm ARC also 22" barrel recently, I am looking at Hornady load data and it's pretty amazing how close it is to .243 win. It shows 87gr Vmax 3050fps top velocity and that's really impressive considering it's only 32.3gr of powder. Can't wait to actually chronograph but the good news brass is looking good even at max charges unlike some other cartridges and I am using converted 6.5 Grendel brass.
I have shot Stevens 200.243 in factory class ground hog matches and shot alot of 95 grain smk with Imr 4451 at 41.1. It shoots in single SD and especially The .243 and 25-06 both seem to get better towards upper end of given powders. Good video. 760 and either work really gd. Might be your
1. You want a usable huntin' load, hey? Would that be for someone in Utah, or someone in Pennsylvania? 2. Why the insistence on a powder that has lots of published data? Correct me if I'm wrong, but when I'm loading, all I want from books is an idea of a safe starting load. From that point on, I'm guided by the fired case, the chrono and the performance down range. What am I missing, other than all that fun reading? 3. Your plan for next session?: "Let's change the powder. One of these other ones oughta be good. Then lets stuff around with chamber dimensions. That couldn't hurt. While we're at it, let's try a different primer too." We're sure to learn a lot from this exercise! 4. Good show, keep it up.
Excited about this one. 243 is one of my favorite cartridges to load and shoot. Would be good to see your results with the 700adl. I'm sure it will work great on whitetail. As they say ".243 works better on deer than it should."
One of my favorite calibers. Iv take nice doe with a H&R 243 win 95gr nosler balistic Silvertips. Factory ammo. Shannon just started loading for 243 win. In useing the stayball6.5 powder in the nosler balistic silver tips in 95gr
Interested to soo where the SD's go with a different primer or maybe those were the rejected brass? No that it doesn't work as it should maybe the firing pin spring is weak from sitting?
I have essentially the same 243 in Rem 700 ADL. My go to load is Reloader 17 and and 80 gr bullets. I’m getting 3,300 fps out of that short 22” barrel.
I was wondering about not seeing the shot marker for a few videos. Thought that maybe the naysayers had finally brow beat ya, or you found a valid complaint with the system that I missed. Glad it is still a tool you like to use, been thinking about getting one now that I finally got my lyman ultimate reloading system in. Thanks for all the videos.
I have the exact same one and I got the best results with H4350 and the 95gr SST . The only light bullets mine liked was the 65gr V max. Very picky rifle mine is
The noise level isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. As I am new to using scopes I was worried because other reviews made it seem as though the scope was crap but I zeroed it in with 5 shots (pictured). Sent another on target (slightly off center was my error). For an entry level break barrel I am very excited to have it because it's worth the money. I look forward to using it for pest control.
I love IMR4451 with 87 v-max in my 243. Sierra does have some load data for 85 grain bullets and 4451, max is 43.3 grains. Also, you are way slow for 243 and an 85 grain bullet. You should be 3100 ish or a bit higher with either powder. 3200 would be a max load
I keep looking for a .243 and a 22-250. I just wish could find one with a fast twist to shoot heavy bullets. The new 6mm and cartridges like 224 Valkyre are all designed around the ar15 which sadly I can see being banned at some point.
I hope you have a 270 Winchester it’s by far my favorite rifle. What’s your case fill on the 243 looking like I’ve noticed with my adl 700 it shoots lower sd with a higher case capacity
I would suggest reloader 15, if you try another powder. I’ve been using it down to 55gr in my AR10. Somewhat temp stable for hunting powders. I always worry about temp stable powder living/hunting up north.
I'd take a quick peek at the case weights too, if they vary by a couple/few grains each that is all going to be case capacity difference, which would lead to varying pressures, which would lead to varying velocities. You are right to be concerned with the SD, 100 yard groups will lie right to your face sometimes.
I'd like to hear what you think of the 25-45 Sharps. Not a lot of info on this one, but 87grain bullet at 3,000fps with 100% compatibility with 5.56/223 mags, bolt etc. it should have more of a following. Unless they kept the bullets too light for long range? Many of the PRS guys are going to 25 Creedmoor now or 25x300 Wheatherby Mag, 25-06, 257 Roberts the list goes on. It would be nice to think that with spare parts you could put one of these together. Sharps=USA made too!
I have not been able to get Stabll 6.5 to shoot well in my .243 either. Velocities all over the place, groups generally between 2” and 1.25”. Shooting 100 grain hornady interlocks. Gun is a Savage 110, I believe it’s the same twist as your 700. I’ve read on the interweb that Staball 6.5 likes near max case fill and have read that SD’s and groups tighten up with monolithic bullets. Makes sense if they designed the powder to work well with long skinny bullets in short cases. I’m going to pick up some 85 grain tsx’s and see if that makes a difference. I’ve got some nosler E-tips on the way for my 270 and I’m going to see if this powder will work well there. Really love your videos.
Try H 4831 , have had very good groups and top velocity with this powder and 100 gr bullets for lighter bullets go with H 414. & H 380 you won’t be disappointed !…….
I have tried staball in 243 and have good results. I have a 1 on 8 twist 26 inch shilen barrel. Good velocity good accuracy. Over the years I have found that some of these crowns on Factory barrels are worthless. And by recounting the barrel can make a dramatic difference in accuracy. Also 243 Factory barrels have a relatively slow twist that are best suited for about 90 grain or lighter bullets. If you're trying to shoot heavier than 90 grains out of a factory 243 Barrel it is not going to be consistently good accuracy.
This reminds me of my days growing up in upstate NY shooting woodchucks using the .243 Winchester. Have you looked into using CFE 223 in a future load development for that caliber?
According to Hodgdon reloading Data your powder charges and of course velocities are low. I called both Winchester and Hodgdon and they told me that Staball 6.5 is best if loaded to 95% + of case capacity.
Hybrid v100 is also good powder for the 243 with the light for caliber bullets all the way up h1000. for heavy for caliber your Remington 700 should stabilize a 105 grain but your mileage may vary
Did you remove the rear sight to fit the scope? I am thinking about picking one up that has iron sights on it....I like the iron sights to still be on the gun, even if I put the scope on....but I am not sure if the rear iron sight will be in the way of a scope on this rifle.....
The rifle stings vertically because the barrel is getting hot and these rifles are not free floated. I got this same Remington .243 ADL and a .700RM ADL for $49.50 and $89.50 respectively a couple fo years ago from Walmart. Both are great shooters. You should wear safety glasses.
You should be thrilled with those IMR results! Factory triggers of that era Remington are soooo bad. Heavy and inconsistent. These one off rifle vids are a fun change of pace. I hope you get a deer with this one for your grandpa’s sake.
The orginal accurate 3100 was lovex S071 powder. Shooters world has made some comments they would like to bring it back, however with the current state of powder it's not possible.
I’ve had decent accuracy with staball in 243 with 87 vmax. The SDs aren’t as good as I’d like tho. 6.5 creedmoor with 130 eldm and staball really good accuracy and some real good SDs but the loads above and below my groups with good SDs have terrible SDs. Don’t get it. Also in all my 243s with 87 vmax I usually try h4350 and varget but in all of them I end up going to a max load or above with H4831sc. H4831sc just seems to not be beat in accuracy or SDs by any of those other 3
