Load Development Ruger Precision Rifle .243

[buckfvr]

There's always that possibility, but unfortunately this time of the year we only get a day here and a day there that are worth the effort to shoot and collect data that is useful.

Here in the n.e. corner, wind is most times a given, so we watch the weather reports ( NOAA ), and then decide if we should shoot. We shoot in the wind a lot, but try not to do significant tests if theres any kind of a breeze.

Your point is well taken though, and one many shooters should think about. Trigger time is paramount in the quest of becoming better shooters. R

 

[Ghost7]

I really enjoyed your testing as I have been doing similar testing with my Savage .243 LRP though mine is not as methodical. I have had my best luck with IMR 4350. Being new to reloading (about a year) I find it interesting to see how others quest for accuracy plays out with their methods. Very well done in my opinion. One thing I find very interesting is that I have two friends who have just bought the Ruger Precision, one in the 6.5 creedmoor and one in .308. Both rifles are shooting sub 1/2" moa with factory match ammo...no reloads. Kinda makes me sick that I have had to put so much work to get sub 1/2" moa, on good days, and they are consistently getting it with box ammo. All of that being said I find it interesting that the Ruger Precision .243 doesn't follow suit.

 

[buckfvr]

WOW !!!

Id about travel to see that. We never tried factory ammo, but I'll not doubt it out loud.

We have used IMR 4350 with great results, just not in this gun, but it is definitely one of our best performing powders.

BIggest problem here is lack of good shooting conditions this time of year, and that may well be our strongest excuse. Theres always the likelyhood they are just better shootists than we are..........gotta love that gun though.

Im just about to put together a Savage action, Bell and Carlson stock and a match grade barrel in .243, so that is coming up here soon as well.

Thanks for sharing, R

 

[jdmecomber]

Well you won't find any of the top shooters, shooting factory match ammo in the major events. I think that about answers that. That being said. I remember our 7mms shot 154 hornandy superperformance factory rounds really well. I never did more then three shot groups or chronographed them so who knows if they were actually consistent.

I did buy the cheapest factory ammo I could for the Ruger. I think it was federal 100 soft point. Horrible results . I shot some hornandy that shot 3/4 ish and American eagle maybe. Not that impresdive

 

[Ghost7]

I agree with you both but you have to understand that my two buddies have no intentions of competing on any level but amongst friends and for bragging rights. I would not trade the education I have gotten over the last several months for either one of their rifles but it is impressive that they can get this kind of accuracy out of the box. The .308 in the RPR is getting .410" (best group) with black hills match and the creedmoor is getting one ragged hole with Hornady match. 1/2" is no problem for either when it took me a long time (months) to achieve this. I'm not bitter but when they spend basically same in dollars as myself and don't have to work for it...well, I guess it is what it is. I don't know what kind of factory match ammo is available for the .243 but I would think, all things being equal, the RPR in .243 would be similar. I have no doubt that you will get that thing driving tacks but at what expense? According to what I have read you have basically shot 1/4 to 1/5 of the barrel out as opposed to buying about three different boxes of ammo. What you have learned and shared with us is priceless though. Thank you

 

[jdmecomber]

Thank you sir
Dig a little bit, I think there is plenty to look at online about factory match ammo and the ruger .243.

 

[jdmecomber]

Ghost.
Russ and I have shared some results on the Ruger Challenge. We could list a few more on the challenge. As of now, my ruger is the 7th best Ruger in the nation at 100 yards 5 shot groups.
Have your buddies post some of their results. We would love to see them and I am sure Ruger would also.

 

[Ghost7]

I will do that, I think we still have the targets as proof. My friends RPR in the 6.5 is more impressive than the .308 RPR. It really amazes me how accurate they are out of the box. With the smaller diameter barrel how do you think they will hold accuracy with long strings shot through them? Heat? ....as compared to a heavy bbl.

 

[liltank]

Couple things I've picked up over the years. 1: Stick with one primer, one powder, one bullet, one casing. 2: Pick one seating depth (.005-.015" is optimal). You said that .015 is a little snug, go for .025". 3. Set up charges with .2 to .3 grains between charges starting at a middle weight charge and moving up. You will and should find accuracy with with consistency with your loads. Will save you time, powder, bullets and barrel life. With a 243 barrel life is critical. Should you experience flyers, just change to a new powder. I use 44.7grns of IMR-7828ssc in my sons 243 Savage set off the lands. He and I both shoot 3/8" 3 shot groups at 100yds. Have no idea what the velocity is as I've not tried it. As he uses it in PA woods, distance is not an issue. Even to 3-400yds big extreme spreads aren't going to matter. Good luck!

 

[buckfvr]

Well, fortunately we have no illusions of it holding up as well as a heavier contour barrel. However, the .243 does come with a barrel that is .750 at the muzzle ( 26" ) and that is a bit more than our Savage Long Range Hunters at .735 in 24".

Im sure next barrel up for the RPR will be an .820 contour and thats what Im going to use for my next project as well.

We have fired like 15 rounds in around 20 minutes with no noticed problem, but like Ive said, outside temps have been one side or the other of 30 degrees for our testing.

We are always shooting, so we will eventually have data from below 30 to however warm it gets this summer.......was a few times last summer spent on the hill near 90, shooting cross canyon at steel targets we have out from 600 to 1100 yards, and the .243s will of course see plenty of that. R

 

[buckfvr]

We did test for optimal charge weight ( OCW test ), and did off the lands testing ( .015 to .100) as permitted by magazine length, and of course we tested more than one primer to determine the best ES which varied considerably from primer to primer.

We also used a magneto for velocities in order to collect that data for ES and SD, and found the Magneto to be far superior to either of our 100+$ chronographs.

We left no stones unturned as we shoot very long ranges and ES and SD matter for us.

SO thanks for sharing, but remember, " with out pictures, it didnt happen ". R

 

[liltank]

We did test for optimal charge weight ( OCW test ), and did off the lands testing ( .015 to .100) as permitted by magazine length, and of course we tested more than one primer to determine the best ES which varied considerably from primer to primer.

We also used a magneto for velocities in order to collect that data for ES and SD, and found the Magneto to be far superior to either of our 100+$ chronographs.

We left no stones unturned as we shoot very long ranges and ES and SD matter for us.

SO thanks for sharing, but remember, " with out pictures, it didnt happen ". R

Yep, you got it all figured out. ;-)

 

[Wedgy]

Great read, looks like you guys learned a lot !
I'll add that cheap chonos are a total waste, Magneto Speed can affect groups(it's different on all my rifles) but gives good readings, it's better to test longer than 100 yards, and the Gempro 250 while better than the Chargemaster will drift and frustrate you until you upgrade. I dispense a tenth grain short on the Chargemaster then trickle it on the FX120(or whatever scale you eventually upgrade to).
Good luck !

 

[jdmecomber]

Thank you.