Author Topic: NEF 243 Ammo (Read 693 times)

jackdz · « **on:** July 01, 2005, 02:10:38 AM »

I'm relatively new to this forum, been lurking for a while. I have an NEF .243 with bull-barrel and hunt groundhogs with it. I'm wondering if any of you guys have tried any of the lighter bullets with this rig. Specifically, the Hornaday 58gr. V-Max or Winchester Ballistic Tip 55gr. The best I have come up with (I don't have time to handload) is the Federal Power-Shok 80gr. They group at about 2" at 100yds. My gun has a lightened trigger, the o-ring deal, floated forearm, a Redfield 6-18 scope and about 200 rds through it. I do get an occasional flyer. Any recommendation on making this rig more accurate?
thanks,
Jack

~~
Jack Dalzell
www.jdbass.com
www.OutdoorFrontiers.com
~~

Bldr Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2005, 05:46:55 AM »

Sounds like we have almost the same gun. I have a 243 Ultra with a Redfield 4-16 on it. I have been getting alright groups with the 75 and 80 grain loads but last weekend bought a box of Winchester silver tips in 55 grain to try them out. I had just got done shooting the heavier loads and was dead on at a hundred yards, when I shot the 55gr they were hitting about 5 inches low. I don't know why this happened but it seems to me that they like a little heavier bullet.

Hope this helps you out.

myarmor · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2005, 06:02:23 AM »

Welcome to the forum jackdz. 2 inches at 100yards-your Handi should be able to get better groups than that. I personally don't have a Handi in 243 (yet :grin: ) but I have seen some fellas here do great things with theirs. Have you tried grouping it without the O-ring? Not all Handis like the O-ring trick, one of mine doesn't.
Have you tried shooting it on sand bags with the bags under the reciever instead of the forearm? This helps a lot with mine as well as others here.
Or are you shooting off Bi-Pods?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2005, 06:16:21 AM »

Welcome to GBO!!

My 243 Ultra likes the Fed Hi Shok 100gr ammo, now called Power Shok. It shoots it sub moa. I've tried handloads using the 65gr Vmax and 55gr ballistic silvertips, but so far best group has been 1"+. There are lots of tips here that will help you get the rifle to shoot better, look around, check out the FAQ, lots of info there.

Tim

jackdz · « **Reply #4 on:** July 01, 2005, 06:43:02 AM »

Wow! So many responses in such a short time. Thanks for all the advice. I'll try to address them one by one. First, I have a shooting bench for sight-in, use a bi-pod in the field. When I first got the NEF, I shot it without the o-ring and groups were pretty horrible (4"), then I o-ringed it, did the trigger work and sanded the forearm out, all of which brought me to where I currently am. I have been steering away from the 100gr. bullets, but may need to try them. I have been really interested in the 75gr. Hornaday V-max since Cabela's has them for $62/100, but I'd like to hear some success stories with this round before laying out the cash. I am pretty sure that part of the group problem is with the shooter (me) as I have only been shooting a rifle for about 3 years and am still developing good technique, but I am shooting 9/10 on groundhogs so far this year. I missed at about 245yds with a bullet that flew waaay to the right. Otherwise, for what I shoot (groundhogs) 2" is somewhat acceptable as it will drop the intended target, but I do like messing with this gun and would like to get more accuracy/confidence in it.
Thanks to all and keep it coming!
Jack
~~
Jack Dalzell
www.jdbass.com
www.OutdoorFrontiers.com
~~

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 01, 2005, 06:47:18 AM »

Jack, one key ingredient in getting these rifles to shoot well is the trigger pull which requires follow thru due to the transfer bar, pull the trigger all the way to the rear at the break instead of releasing it at the break, it will insure consistent pin strikes and best accuracy. :wink:

Tim

myarmor · « **Reply #6 on:** July 01, 2005, 06:53:23 AM »

Stick around and you will learn a lot, I know I have in the short time I have been here. Thats good you are nailing that many hogs and at 200+ yards. The 243 is an excellent round, very capable. I have a Remington 700 and love mine.
Even though you haven't been shooting for very long, keep at it using your Handi. It will make a better marksman out of you, I know because when I first got mine, me and my brother both had a hard time adjusting to them. But shooting them for a while, both of our shooting skills have increased a ton. I have learned more from shooting these little rifles than any bolt action I have ever shot, and own.
But like quick said go over the FAQ page and I am sure you will pick up some very usefull info.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 01, 2005, 07:32:38 AM »

You can check out how my 243 Ultra varmint shoots here...http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=62494&highlight=243+ultra+varmint

It did ok with the 55 grain Winchester Supreme Silver Basllistic factory load..the group measures .904 overall...and ther hunting load of the 95 grain Silver Ballistic tip is extreamly accurate as well...there are 4 different powder weights shot their for these...

I wouldn't hesiate to use either load for hunting...

Mac