Pack for .243 with 87 vld

[Walleye Steve]

Guys I have purchased a tikka t3x in .243. I have load data for the Berger 87 gr vld but nothing about over all cartridge length. Does anyone have a starting point. I have some of the specific tools to accomplish this just not all of the components and I am very remote and have to travel long distances to stores that might have these products. Thank you

 

[cajun]

In that tikka you may be limited by mag length. See how long of a round will fit in the mag. From that point you can only go shorter unless you change out the mag box, bottom metal. I would still try and figure out distance to the lands. There are methods that don't require tools you can youtube.

 

[YZ-80]

In that tikka you may be limited by mag length. See how long of a round will fit in the mag. From that point you can only go shorter unless you change out the mag box, bottom metal. I would still try and figure out distance to the lands. There are methods that don't require tools you can youtube.

This may be a good idea. I don't run the 87 VLD in my .243 but run the 115 in my .25-06 and it's a very accurate bullet. I run it .020 off the lands. Back to the .243 and in particular the T3X, they are great rifles and the 2 of mine don't seem to be very sensitive to seating depth. I run IMR 4350 in mine with excellent results. Best of luck.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

Guys I have purchased a tikka t3x in .243. I have load data for the Berger 87 gr vld but nothing about over all cartridge length. Does anyone have a starting point. I have some of the specific tools to accomplish this just not all of the components and I am very remote and have to travel long distances to stores that might have these products. Thank you

After Finding, the "Lands" with a Fired, Split Case, on My Tikka, SS, 1-10 twist, 24", T-3 Lite ( UN-Fluted ) I found, .070 to .075 Off, the Lands Shot "TINY" My son put, 5 shots into, a .277 Ctr to Ctr group at, 103 Yds, on One Calm, afternoon. Powder was, a NEAR Max chg of, N-160, F-210 M Primers.
Gave the Rifle to my Grandson and at, 12 and 13 y/o He's Got, 2 NICE, Desert Muleys ( a 3x4 and, a Heavy Horned, 30+ inch, 4 x 5 ).
The 87 gr. Berger, H-VLD is, a ONE Shot,. "Killer" IF, put in, the "Boiler Room" at,. 3,165 FPS !

 

[Walleye Steve]

I have the hornady tool just don't have the threaded cartridge to find the total length. I'll get it figured out somehow. Thanks to all for the feedback

 

[birddog 68]

Use a fired case and use a dremmel or similar to put two slots in the neck opposite of each other. Insert the bullet into the case purposely leaving it very long and then use pliers to pinch the case onto the bullet. You want only slight pressure on the bullet so it can be pushed into the case when you chamber it and it contacts the rifling. Gently unchamber and measure your OAL and write it down and repeat this until you notice a consistent length. Usually I will take 10 or so readings.
I hope I explained this process well enough.
This is how I was taught to find COAL many years ago and it still works.
Hope this helps

 

[Walleye Steve]

Use a fired case and use a dremmel or similar to put two slots in the neck opposite of each other. Insert the bullet into the case purposely leaving it very long and then use pliers to pinch the case onto the bullet. You want only slight pressure on the bullet so it can be pushed into the case when you chamber it and it contacts the rifling. Gently unchamber and measure your OAL and write it down and repeat this until you notice a consistent length. Usually I will take 10 or so readings.
I hope I explained this process well enough.
This is how I was taught to find COAL many years ago and it still works.
Hope this helps

Great idea. Thank you. I'll give that a go

 

[cajun]

I have the hornady tool just don't have the threaded cartridge to find the total length. I'll get it figured out somehow. Thanks to all for the feedback

You can buy one online cheap.