Load Development Ruger Precision Rifle .243

[jdmecomber]

I am busy, days meld together

 

[RonS]

Been going through the same development process with the same rifle. Sticking with CCI200 to start, Hornady brass, Nosler 105 CC's. Started at .020 off. Wasn't getting what I was looking for. Found in testing with H1000 that these bullets seem to like a long jump. Tried 7828, H1000. So far 46 grains of H1000 set .060 off is somewhat consistent. 7828 44 grains set .060 off is not bad. Haven't finished 4831 testing. These groups with all the powders so far end up at 1/2 MOA when good. 1.5 when bad and too many flyers even when good. I was looking for 1/4 to 1/2 MOA like my F Class Savage rifles. Getting a bit frustrating. The skinny barrel heats up fast as well. Been thinking about swapping for a 26 inch 6.5 Creedmoor barrel in a heavy contour. I'll keep plugging away though. I'll try your 4831 load with CCI200's, the Nosler CC's and report back.

 

[jdmecomber]

Thanks Ron

What are you doing for your brass prep?

 

[RonS]

Thanks Ron

What are you doing for your brass prep?

Just neck sizing. Leaving the cases fire formed. Have not neck turned them. I've also got some Lapua brass but doing the load dev with the Hornady. Figured I'd fine tune with the Lapua once I found a charge that worked with the harmonics of the rifle. I did find that this barrel is at minimum head space. Will close on a go gauge but will not close on full length sized brass that is just a couple thousands longer.

 

[buckfvr]

In Noslers loading manual they have hi-lighted the results of H4831 to indicate it was the best performing powder they tested in the 105/107 group.

 

[jdmecomber]

As far as flyers go, with factory rifles we had to go the extra mile to get rid of flyers.
Flash hole, chamfer, debur, neck size only, neck turn, get good consistent brass, matching primer/powder combo

 

[buckfvr]

SO with the Lapua brass, primer pockets seemed very uniformed and consistent for pressure necessary to seat primer, but Hornady and Nosler brass definitely require primer pocket uniforming for best results imho.

 

[jdmecomber]

I might have forgot a couple other things thanks Russ

 

[buckfvr]

I might have forgot a couple other things thanks Russ

Just turning stones......as we both learned, each and every minute detail has its own positive return, no matter how small, they all add up in the end. I doubt either of us will ever again take a short cut reloading. If you're not all in, you ARE taking short cuts. my 2 cents.

 

[RonS]

Just turning stones......as we both learned, each and every minute detail has its own positive return, no matter how small, they all add up in the end. I doubt either of us will ever again take a short cut reloading. If you're not all in, you ARE taking short cuts. my 2 cents.

Yeah, I've done all the tweaks with my F Class 6.5 Creedmoor and 223 loads. It does pay dividends. I'm being lazy with this one. Hoping I can get 1/2 MOA without neck turning, paying too much attention to neck tension, sorting of brass, using cheaper bullets and commonly found primers. Time will tell if I can get close. May burn the barrel in the process of trying but it's all fun. Except when things go sideways and you end up at 3 MOA instead of 1/2. BTDT.

 

[RonS]

Update:

42.8 grains of H4831, .060 jump to the lands, 105 Nosler CC's, CCI 200 primers, Hornady brass yielded 1/4 MOA for 4 rounds. One hole strung a bit horizontally. The 5th round of the 5 round group was a flyer at 5/8 away. Could have been me I guess.

43.1 grains was close to that group. 43.1 was the highest load I had. No pressure signs in any of the loads. The concern is that 42.5 and lower loads were not good at all. In the range I was testing I would have expected to find at lead two nodes. One at a lower charge and one at a higher. Only one was at the top of the load range.

 

[jdmecomber]

It sounds like h4831 might be too unstable for your bullet/powder combo

 

[RonS]

It sounds like h4831 might be too unstable for your bullet/powder combo

What are your thoughts?

 

[buckfvr]

Sent 25 rounds down range this afternoon in the breeze. Two 5 shot .6 groups and one 5 shot .5 group, then 9 rounds in a .8, and one ding from the 300 yard steel target.

With flags at 20, 50, and 100 yards all dancing to a different beat, its hard to say if its me or the wind, but now that I have 100 fire formed pieces of brass to work with, I will try a more serious load development and move away from 8k off the lands and maybe try H4350 as well.

I may end up going right back to the H4831, but only if it wins head to head with H4350. I really like that I have absolutely no 1st shot/cold bore issues. More times than not, the first shot down the tube has been dead center. I also feel as though a good solid bench rest front rest like the coldwell Rock may help shrink the groups. I'll hold out for a calm day to decide if I want to mess with a different rest. For now, bipod and rear bag will be default.

Russ