.243 @ 185 yards, too easy!

[Paul5388]

I took the synthetic .243 standard barrel out today along with #1 grandson.  We went to the right of way where I have a couple of gongs set up to just have a little fun.  The range for the longest shot is 185 yards, according to my rangefinder, and the closest one is 85 yards.  I expended 10 rounds and he shot 12 rounds with all but 3 of his being hits. 

Sure, the gong is a 14" Chevrolet flywheel and should be easy to hit, but I was only using 18.0 grains of Blue Dot with a 100 gr Rem PSP for all of the shots!  It seems like I clocked this load at about 2000 fps, but it doesn't look like it's too underpowered to do the job, at least to 185 yards. 

Oh, the close gong is what I shot with my .45 ACP.  I got close enough on the longer gong to scare it real good!

[aulrich]

Will the 100 psp still open up at that velocity?  Might be time to pull out a nosler bt they open down to 1400 fps. Or were those just training rounds  and you'll pick up the heat when they are ready. When I still had my 243 I tried some bluedot loadsl they worked suprisingly well.  Good enough that I would consider buying another 243 for just that purpose, but it depends how big my boys get, local laws say you need to be 14 to hunt big game with a gun, and by then he may be able to handle my 270.

[Paul5388]

We haven't shot a deer with that load yet, but we have successfully used a 7mm Mag load with a 140 gr Rem PSP and Blue Dot.  The 7mm Mag clocked at about 2200 fps.  I could switch to Noslers, but just don't think it's necessary.

#1 grandson just turned 14 and can handle heavier loads, but I think he needs to continue to use Blue Dot loads to become a better marksman.

I suppose you know Blue Dot has been used with many heavier calibers than .243?  I use it with .45-70 on down to .22 Hornet! 

[aulrich]

The 2000 fps comes from a article I had read some time ago that stated a standard cup and core spitser bullet needed that much to ensure expansion, I am not entirly sure it is valid. But fostering good marksmenship is always a good thing because placement is king. I am expecting that I  was going to use a lower speed load for the 270 when the time came I was thinking a 110 @ 2800 - 3000, the head would be the 110 barnes tsx (its listed under 6.8mm not .277).

Yes I do know I tried it with my 338 wm but I managed to pierce a primer so I got a little spooked. I am not sure what all I did wrong with that load but none the less I did not back off far enough after switching heads. Work has had me busy this last year so I have been happy just keeping up loading what I need so the concept took a back seat for a while. 

What sort of performace are you getting out of the hornet?

I sure do need a chronagraph I'd love a 1500-1700 fps load for my 204, somthing to use for a close range finisher for coyote hunting, for those odd occasions they are anchored but not dead.

[Paul5388]

I'm just loading the Hornet with cheap Winchester 46 gr HPs and making a load similar to a .22 WRM by using 6.5 gr of Blue Dot and a CCI 400.

The formula I use with Blue Dot is to fill the case to the top of the mouth and strike it level with a straight edge.  Weigh that powder and figure 40% of that weight for a starting load.  For the .270, .280, .30-06, .25-06 and .35 Whelen it should be something close to 22.5 gr.  I shoot 17.2 gr in my 6mm Rem and get less than .75" groups at 100 yards with cheap Rem 100 gr PSP.

[Datil]

 Paul Thanks for info you sent me in P. M. Marv.

[Paul5388]

Marv,

I don't think I mentioned the .45-70 cases I use hold about 54 gr of Blue Dot, so the 40% number would come out closer to 21.6 gr.  I only use 20.0 gr and that's because it was more accurate than the higher density loads for me.  Hope that helps! 

[Datil]

 Thanks Paul! my last post got in cyber space, Marv.